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Benton City holds offer for railroad bridge as part of $2M HUD plan for riverfront park
Summary
The board discussed Riverfront Park development: a previously applied HUD grant of $2,000,000 was identified to rehabilitate a railroad bridge for a trail; the city has submitted a $150,000 offer to Union Pacific for the bridge and plans to reapply for a $50,000 T-Mobile hometown grant for access-road work after an initial denial.
Benton City's park board focused substantial discussion on the Riverfront Park, an 11-acre triangular site the city must develop by 2026 as part of prior grant conditions.
The Chair recapped grant activity: the city applied for a $50,000 T‑Mobile hometown grant for an access road and was notified it had not been awarded this quarter but intends to reapply; the board intends to continue applying for small grants while pursuing larger funding opportunities. “We did not get that grant or notified we were not awarded. But because it's a quarterly grant, we're able to apply again,” the Chair said.
On the larger project, the Chair said the city submitted an offer of $150,000 to Union Pacific for a decommissioned railroad bridge the board wants to redeck and convert into a walking and bike connection, and said a HUD grant for $2,000,000 would fund bridge rehabilitation and decking if obtained. “We have not heard back from them on the offer we submitted of a 150,000, but we're still waiting to hear back on that,” the Chair said.
Board materials and discussion described a site plan including an access road, a restroom, a gazebo/event area, a non-motorized boat launch, and an ADA ramp to the railroad bridge landing. The board said coordination with county trail networks and easement negotiations with nearby property owners are ongoing; some components hinge on whether the bridge acquisition and HUD funding proceed.
The board also discussed operational issues such as parking expansions, maintenance responsibilities with the Department of Fish and Wildlife (which owns some adjacent parcels), and the potential to stage small amenities (life jackets or containerized restrooms) if visitor use increases.
No formal purchase or contract was approved at the meeting: the Chair said staff will follow up on the bridge offer, continue grant applications for the access road and report progress to the board.
