Collier County commissioners voted unanimously to contribute $5,000 toward preparation of a federal RAISE grant application and to pledge up to $899,000 as Collier County’s share of a local match for the Trust for Public Land’s proposed acquisition of the Seminole Gulf rail corridor that links Bonita Springs and Estero and extends into Collier County.

Trinity Scott, transportation division lead, briefed the board on the proposed regional acquisition. The Trust for Public Land (TPL) is under contract to buy roughly 14.9 miles of the former Seminole Gulf corridor for $82 million and must close on the corridor by March 2026. The property would be rail‑banked — preserving the right to reintroduce rail service if needed — and used as a trail in the interim. The RAISE grant (Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity) allows requests up to $25 million; the county’s potential pledge was calculated pro rata based on property value within Collier’s jurisdiction.

Doug Hathaway of Trust for Public Land described the corridor as a regional priority for the Florida Gulf Coast Trail network and outlined community benefits: connectivity to schools, medical facilities and neighborhoods; safety and equity advantages; and economic development through recreation and alternative transportation. Hathaway also asked commissioners to coordinate with state legislators on potential funding opportunities.

Scott explained that Lee County and municipal partners—Bonita Springs and the village of Estero—are leading the grant application and that Collier County’s participation is requested because a portion of the corridor falls inside Collier. Scott said the county’s maximum exposure, assuming the full $25 million RAISE award and Collier’s proportional share of corridor value, would be $4.495 million; 20% of that (the federal match requirement) yields the $899,000 pledge recommended for the board’s authorization. The board also authorized the county manager to work with partner municipalities on an interlocal memorandum of agreement to formalize cooperation.

Commissioners asked staff for clarity on rail‑banking language and requested that any pledge be structured so it can be applied to other federal/state match opportunities if the RAISE application is not funded. Commissioners and TPL representatives emphasized that the corridor’s acquisition is part of a broader push to close regional trail gaps and improve active‑transportation connections across county lines.

The board’s approval directs the county manager to execute the $5,000 contribution to TPL for application preparation, pledge up to $899,000 toward a required local match if a RAISE award is secured, and to work with Bonita Springs and Estero on a memorandum to coordinate acquisition and future trail planning and construction.