Bend MPO defers decision on school-area path, asks La Pine Schools to verify alignment and return with priorities

The Bend Metropolitan Planning Organization Policy Board on Jan. 16 deferred a decision on using MPO discretionary construction funds for a proposed shared-use path near High Desert Middle School and the future Caldera Drive, directing La Pine Schools to confirm property alignment and return with prioritized projects and cost estimates within roughly two months.

Doug Piggman of La Pine Schools presented an executive summary of a master-planning effort conducted with a consultant (Parametrics), saying the study produced options to improve student safety and connections between Caldera High School, High Desert Middle School and a planned library in the Stevens Ranch development. Piggman told the board the project package originally included a master-planning allocation of $50,000 and a construction budget figure discussed in the meeting (he said $125,000, though meeting participants later referenced $75,000), and that about $35,000 has been spent on planning so far. “We have a deeper understanding of what the impacts are going to…