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Forest Park council pledges 20% local match if GDOT awards pedestrian‑bridge TAP grant
Summary
Council approved a letter of intent committing the city to a 20% local match ($240,000) for preliminary engineering on a proposed pedestrian bridge over Forest Parkway and railroad tracks if GDOT awards the Transportation Alternatives Program grant.
Forest Park — The mayor and council unanimously approved a council‑supported local funding commitment letter on Dec. 1 committing the city to provide a 20% local match for the preliminary engineering phase of a proposed pedestrian bridge over Forest Parkway and the railroad, should the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) award the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant.
Planning staff said the TAP application and a prior feasibility study identified a preferred alignment and estimated preliminary engineering costs of $1.2 million; GDOT indicated the city would be notified in October 2026 if the project is awarded and requested confirmation that the city can commit the 20% match ($240,000) for preliminary engineering. Staff emphasized that the commitment letter does not obligate immediate expenditure, but confirms the city can secure the match if the grant is awarded.
Council members asked clarifying questions about timing and the grant award schedule; staff confirmed the award notification date and explained the commitment is required to move the application forward. Finance staff prepared a draft letter for council review, and council approved sending the letter to GDOT.
Next steps: staff will submit the signed commitment letter to GDOT and, if the grant is awarded, return to council with a plan for the local match funding source and timing.
