Citizen Portal
Sign In

Council discusses joint Greenway trail with Pinehurst after MPO carbon-reduction funds identified

Southern Pines Town Council · May 28, 2025

Loading...

AI-Generated Content: All content on this page was generated by AI to highlight key points from the meeting. For complete details and context, we recommend watching the full video. so we can fix them.

Summary

Council discussed a joint Greenway extension with Pinehurst estimated at $400,000; the MPO has roughly $217,000 available now and a potential additional ~$110,000 in October. Council directed staff to pursue an intergovernmental agreement and return with detailed cost and maintenance arrangements.

Southern Pines Town staff asked the council to endorse pursuing a joint Greenway Trail with the village of Pinehurst after the MPO identified carbon‑reduction funds that can be used for greenway and trail projects.

Manager Parsons said the MPO currently has about $217,000 earmarked and there is a possible additional $110,000 expected in October. "So for the time being, we're working with the $217,000," Parsons said, and added the project estimate is about $400,000 based on Pinehurst’s prior construction of similar cross sections. Parsons said staff expects roughly $100,000 attributable now to the Southern Pines portion and a remaining balance that would need additional local match or intergovernmental agreement funding.

Council members asked about engineering, NCDOT environmental and design approvals, and how the MPO will distribute funds among three competing projects (Southern Pines/Pinehurst greenway, Aberdeen sidewalk, Whispering Pines pedestrian bridge). Parsons explained the MPO’s technical coordinating committee will recommend a distribution intended to seed all projects rather than fully fund a single one; staff will pursue an intergovernmental agreement with Pinehurst outlining construction and ongoing maintenance terms if the recommendation proceeds.

Parsons and BJ said the town may be asked to consider a potential budget amendment of approximately $150,000 to cover the local share if the council elects to move forward. Parsons noted the DOT must approve applications and any engineering and environmental review could increase costs. Council agreed staff should continue negotiations and return with a draft intergovernmental agreement and refined cost estimates.