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City Council adopts resolution to implement $24 million RAISE grant for Daniel Morgan trail improvements
Summary
The council voted unanimously to authorize the city manager to pursue property easements and implement an approximately $24 million federal RAISE grant to build about eight miles of trail through Spartanburg, directing staff to prioritize easement acquisition and maintenance of city-limits segments.
Spartanburg City Council voted to adopt a resolution authorizing the city manager to pursue implementation of a federal RAISE grant that staff described as roughly $24,000,000 to advance trail segments of the Daniel Morgan trail network through the city.
City Manager Chris Story said the RAISE grant represents “the single largest one-time investment in our trail network,” explaining that the funded work would build about eight miles of connections that link neighborhoods including West Main, Park Hills, the Highland neighborhood, Erwin Park and CC Woodson back to the Mary Wright Greenway. “Those 8 miles will, connect, neighborhoods that need these amenities,” Story said during his presentation.
The resolution affirms the council’s support for implementing the grant in 2026, directs staff to engage more deeply in property and easement acquisition (largely anticipated as voluntary easements, not acquisitions that impact structures), and states the city’s expectation to maintain trail sections within municipal limits. In response to council questions, Story said the outstanding easements are typically limited in scope, “a matter of feet here or there,” and that independent third-party appraisals will guide offers to property owners.
Laura Ringo, executive director of Powell (the Live Well/Pal coalition), framed the grant within broader trail usage trends and local partnerships. Ringo said the local trail network has grown from roughly 128,000 recorded trail uses in 2017 to a markedly larger figure last year and added: “Our goal is by 2028 to have 1,000,000 annual trail uses.” Her presentation highlighted art on trail corridors, a new Duncan Park Ecology Education Center, the Hub City Farmers Market partnership and past private and public investments totaling about $22 million in existing segments.
Council members asked about the scope of easement impacts and whether the county had adopted similar support; staff confirmed Spartanburg County has passed a comparable resolution and is the fiscal agent on the federal grant. Councilmember (speaker 14) moved adoption of the resolution; the council voted with general “Aye” responses and the chair declared the motion passed.
Votes at a glance - Resolution to authorize city manager to implement RAISE grant (Item 11): adopted (council vote announced as 'Aye' and chair stated 'Ayes have it'). - Resolution approving purchase of two parcels near Home and Hart Street (Item 11b): adopted. - Ordinance allowing the city manager to execute a development agreement with Haas Enterprises LLC (Item 12, first reading): approved on first reading. - Ordinance authorizing sale of small parcel at NW corner of North Church and Saint John Street (first reading): approved.
What happens next Staff will begin or continue targeted outreach to property owners for easements, complete appraisals and offers where appropriate, and coordinate with the county as the grant’s fiscal agent. Council indicated additional, parcel-specific actions would return to the body if further authority is needed.
