Council authorizes grant-writing for proposed mountain-bike park; resident offers alternative development idea

The Jasper City Council authorized the mayor to enter into an agreement for grant writing tied to a proposed mountain-bike park on city-owned property.

Mayor Cowan described the request as "authorizing me to enter into an agreement for grant writing related to the mount hopefully, the new mountain bike park that will be on the property where the city..."

After the authorization, a member of the public, Austin McLemore of 703 Pine Street, addressed the council during public comment and suggested an alternative approach for the city-owned Charles Bishop property. McLemore said turning the property into a mountain-bike trail would provide recreation but not tax revenue or jobs, and proposed allowing a private contractor to remove and sell overburden dirt to create a level, build-ready parcel. He said a nearby private landowner is using that model now and suggested the city could adopt a similar approach: "The city could use someone they could give the opportunity to someone, to remove that overburden, the money from selling the dirt would go to them, but in return the city would be left with a flat build ready property. This approach not only increases the value of the land, but it also passes the cost and liability onto the individual doing the work, not the city."

Council members responded that the industrial development board had previously reviewed the Charles Bishop property and concluded development was cost-prohibitive, which influenced current consideration of recreational use. Mayor Cowan and staff invited the commenter to leave contact details with the mayor's office for follow-up.

The council's grant-writing authorization will allow staff or hired consultants to seek funding for recreation infrastructure; the transcript shows the council approved the authorization by voice vote.