KRTA discusses $2.5 million support request for Winter Street tunnel amid larger state funding
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Summary
The Kiwanis Regional Trail Authority discussed a request from Nancy Jenkins' office for $2.5 million intended for a Winter Street tunnel project. Board members clarified timelines, competing state and enhancement grant funds, and ownership questions; no formal funding commitment was made.
The Kiwanis Regional Trail Authority on Feb. 10 discussed a request from Nancy Jenkins' office for a $2.5 million letter of support to help advance a Winter Street tunnel project, but members did not vote to commit KRTA funds.
An unidentified board member who brought the request told the authority that the $2.5 million would be in addition to other funds and asked whether the work could be completed in a year. "It could be done in a year," a participant answered during the meeting, but added timing depends on document restrictions and procurement. The meeting record shows MDOT has set aside $5,000,000 for the project, and participants referenced coordination of a separate enhancement-grant process and a larger $7-plus million pool for shovel-ready projects.
Treasurer-level reporting provided context about the authority's fiscal position: "When you look at the Qantas Regional Trail Authority balance sheet, total assets for $230,810.42," the speaker said while reviewing the balance. Board members discussed whether prior enhancement-grant allocations to the tunnel would count as city or KRTA projects and noted that ownership of a project typically transfers once a project is completed and delivered to an agency.
Public comment raised questions about outreach and stewardship. Jacob Cooper, who identified himself during comments, praised maintenance but asked whether it is prudent to pursue another $2.5 million on top of what he described as roughly $9,000,000 already going toward tunnel work. "Do we feel like we're being good stewards of our community's tax dollars with that?" Cooper asked, and later said a FOIA he obtained shows grant applicants pledged broad community support for the tunnel while social-media responses were overwhelmingly opposed.
KRTA members said staff and a subcommittee are working to coordinate applications and prioritize projects the authority owns. No motion or formal vote to approve or allocate the $2.5 million occurred at the Feb. 10 meeting; the discussion was recorded as direction for further staff follow-up and subcommittee work. The authority scheduled its next meeting for March 10, 2026.
