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Bonita Springs pushes smaller rail segment strategy, seeks working group for SunTrail/rails‑to‑trails
Summary
Council and Trust for Public Land representatives discussed trimming the 14‑mile corridor to a feasible 11‑mile phase among Collier, Bonita Springs and Estero, pursuing multiple grants and private fundraising, and standing up a multi‑jurisdictional working group to advance acquisition and construction.
Council discussion at the CIP workshop shifted to transportation and the John R. Wood rail corridor and SunTrail opportunity, with staff and Trust for Public Land (TPL) representatives urging a focused three‑party approach if broader county participation is not forthcoming.
Charles Hines of the Trust for Public Land described how the project could be bifurcated so Collier County, Estero and Bonita Springs could pursue a shorter, locally backed Phase 1. “The way we wrote the contract initially was to be able to bifurcate it that way,” Charles said, describing an 11.4‑mile Phase 1 that would include the Bonita Springs segment and Collier County.
Why it matters: the full corridor has been estimated at roughly $82 million in public commentary; council members said many members of the public assume the city already holds the funds. Staff and TPL stressed that state and federal grants expect clear local commitments and a realistic path to ownership and maintenance before awarding construction dollars.
Nut graf: TPL and council members proposed forming a standing working group with elected and staff liaisons from Bonita Springs, Estero and Collier County to coordinate ownership, funding, grant applications and outreach. Council members also discussed targeted options — including pursuing a single downtown‑centered subsegment — but staff cautioned that fragmenting rail‑banked corridor pieces can impair legal protections and later restoration.
Key points from the discussion
- Working group: Council members agreed on the need for a coordinated working group (elected representative plus appropriate staff) from each participating jurisdiction to create a memorandum of understanding or interlocal framework and to present a unified local commitment to grantors.
- Funding strategies: Council members and TPL discussed a range of options, including seeking multiple grants, private sector fundraising, low‑cost state financing and credit‑worthiness assessments or letters of credit to assure grantors the project can reach completion. TPL said it can assist with federal and state grant applications and private fundraising.
- Rail banking and clawback: TPL and council members emphasized federal rail‑banking protections; if the corridor were ever reconverted to rail, the rail operator would face financial obligations to compensate local owners, creating a financial shield for trail investments.
Other transportation updates
Staff also presented other CIP transportation projects tied to drainage improvements (East Terry, Goodwin Street, Paradise Road, Rosemary, Northwest Quadrant Road and Bonita Grama Drive). Several projects are at 90% design or in permitting; staff said right‑of‑way and coordination with FDOT and other agencies remain active tasks.
Ending
Council asked staff and TPL to assemble the proposed working group with elected and staff liaisons from Collier County, Estero and Bonita Springs, and to continue aggressive outreach to private donors and grantors while preserving rail‑bank protections.
