Hopkinsville authorizes TAP grant application for $6.46 million Greenway Phase 3; council OKs up to $1.29M local match

Hopkinsville City Council on March 3 authorized staff to apply for Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funds administered by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the Federal Highway Administration to design and construct Phase 3 of the Hopkinsville Greenway.

The municipal order, read by the clerk, lists a total project estimate of $6,460,008.34 and authorizes a 20% local match — capped at $1,292,166.81 — and delegates signature authority on grant documents to the mayor. Council member Sumner moved the authorization and Council member Bogart seconded.

During public comment and council discussion, residents and council members raised questions about long-term upkeep. "What are the long term maintenance costs? Where will that money come from? Is there a reserve for that $1,292,000, or will it come from taxpayers?" Rose Jackson asked during public comment, saying she understood there was a grant but worried about ongoing expenses.

Council members also discussed the nearby water park'site and how the trail would terminate. One council member described the water park's usage and operating losses, saying the facility averaged about "80 days a year open and about 500 people a day, about 35,000 people a year," and that without major maintenance the park ran "about a $100,000 a year loss." That discussion framed concerns about placing new maintenance obligations on general funds.

Council members emphasized that applying for the grant is not a guarantee of funding but is necessary to meet application deadlines. The motion to authorize application and the required local match passed by voice vote.

Next steps: the mayor is authorized to sign grant documents and staff will pursue the TAP application. Council directed no further binding decision on project scope or long-term maintenance funding at this meeting; those matters will return for later discussion if the grant is awarded.