Cochise supervisors approve $20,000 for Bisbee Lavender Pit bikeway West segment

The Cochise County Board of Supervisors voted to approve a $20,000 District 2 Community Enhancement Fund contribution for the West segment of the Lavender Pit shared-use path in Bisbee.

Bisbee Bikeways Executive Director Megan Connolly told the board the project is “life saving,” citing “at least 4 fatalities and numerous injuries since February, including the 2021 hit and run death of local cyclist, Sergio Lolly.” The West segment connects Main Street and Bisbee attractions to the Queen Mine tour and the East segment toward Lowell, Connolly said, and is the proposed gateway to a planned 27-mile shared path network linking to Camp Naco.

The project is a partnership among the City of Bisbee, Bisbee Bikeways, and Cochise County. Connolly described a funding mix the group has assembled: $34,000 already raised toward a match commitment for the design, a $20,000 pledge from the City of Bisbee, $4,000 from the Bisbee Foundation, $30,000 from Bisbee Bikeways and a remaining gap she said was about $153,000. The board allocation reduces that gap, she said.

Multiple local speakers including Carolyn Harris, secretary of Bisbee Bikeways, and Jeremy Fricke, executive director of the Naco Heritage Alliance, urged approval on grounds of safety, community connectivity and economic benefit. “The multi use path around the pit will save lives and enhance our community,” Harris said, speaking of a personal loss.

Karen Schumacher, Ward 1 council member for the City of Bisbee, told the Board the City Council approved a letter of assurance and a $20,000 contribution at its May 20, 2025 meeting and had received “an incredible amount of feedback from our citizens in support of this project.”

Supervisor Gomez sponsored the county allocation and the motion passed on a voice vote; the board recorded no formal protests during the public hearing. The county will apply the funds to the West segment design match as part of the larger Lavender Pit feasibility effort and ongoing coordination with Bisbee and local partners.

Bisbee Bikeways and city officials said the path is intended to be ADA-compliant, improve visitor access for tourism, and form the first leg of the Sun Corridor Trail through Cochise County. Connolly cited studies and industry estimates she said show retail sales and property values rise near bike-path infrastructure and argued the project would create local jobs.

Next steps identified by proponents include completing design funding, pursuing foundation support and continuing coordination with Cochise County staff and the City of Bisbee to close the remaining funding gap.