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Smithfield to accept CMAQ sidewalk grant for Venture Drive; local match jumps by about $102,000
Summary
Council approved initiating a CMAQ contract to build roughly 2,500 linear feet of 5‑foot sidewalk on Venture Drive with a total estimated cost of $1,525,375; the town's 20% local match is now $305,075, approximately $102,225 more than previous estimates, and staff recommended budgeting the match across two fiscal years.
Smithfield — The Town Council approved moving forward with a Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grant contract to construct sidewalks on Venture Drive, despite an increased local match.
Kim Pickett, town staff, told the council the grant award remains in place but updated cost estimates raised the total project to $1,525,375. "The town's 20% match is gonna be 305,075," Pickett said, noting that the match is about $102,225 higher than the figure provided to council when the project was first discussed in October 2024. Pickett recommended budgeting the additional match across the next two fiscal years rather than paying it all up front.
The project scope includes design, environmental documentation, right‑of‑way acquisition and construction of approximately 2,500 linear feet of five‑foot sidewalk along Venture Drive connecting to the existing sidewalk on Paden Road. Pickett said the town will have five years from contract signing to complete the project.
Council members asked whether the sidewalk would be built on the north or south side; staff confirmed the planned alignment is on the north side (outlet center side) as shown in the packet. Council also debated which departmental budget should carry the appropriation — streets or planning — and staff said it could be set as a capital project in either department, with planning overseeing administration if desired.
After discussion, the council voted by voice to approve initiating the CMAQ contract and to place the local match in the upcoming budgets as recommended.
What happens next: staff will proceed to execute contract documents and budget the town match across the next two fiscal years, then begin design and right‑of‑way work ahead of construction.
