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Hamlet Council hears $1.5 million price tag for City Lake Trail; staff offers phased, lower-cost options
Summary
City staff told the council the City Lake Trail design and engineering are funded by a $400,000 ARPA grant but completing the full trail would cost about $1.5 million, largely because a wetlands boardwalk/bridge accounts for half the estimate; staff proposed phasing, narrower widths, alternate surfacing, and grant matches to reduce costs.
City staff updated the Hamlet City Council on the City Lake Trail project, advising that engineering work is funded by a $400,000 ARPA grant but that building the full trail would cost substantially more.
"They've come up with a budget that essentially says it would cost around $1,500,000 to complete that trail," said the staff member presenting the project. The presenter said roughly $180,000 of the grant has already been used for the VFW building purchase and about $219,000 remains for engineering.
The staff presentation identified the largest cost driver as a 10-foot boardwalk and bridge across wetlands; the presenter said boardwalk construction would account for roughly half the estimated price. To lower the price tag staff outlined several alternatives: phase the project over multiple years, pursue a Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) grant that matches dollar-for-dollar, reduce the trail surface from asphalt to hard-packed dirt or smaller-grain gravel, and narrow the path from 10 feet to 8, 6 or 4 feet and restrict bicycles in portions.
Council members responded with concern about scale and competing capital needs. "The scope of this project is too big for the city right now," said a council member who cited upcoming water- and sewer-plant loans and other infrastructure priorities. Several council members asked staff to return with cost estimates for lower-cost options and a phased approach.
Staff said if the city secured a PARTF match the city’s share could be roughly halved, but warned that some grants can place conditions or protections on constructed land. The presenter said leftover engineering funds could be applied to construction if available, but that current estimates show substantial additional funding would be required to complete the full scope.
The council did not take a final vote on construction; members asked staff to investigate alternatives and return with refined cost estimates and phasing options at a future meeting.
