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Madison County to apply for Clean Ohio grant to buy rail parcel for trail
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Summary
Madison County commissioners approved filing a preliminary Clean Ohio Trails Fund application and authorized staff to sign documents to pursue purchase of a rail corridor parcel priced at $665,000; the county would front the cost and seek $500,000 from Clean Ohio with a $165,000 local match the friends group expects to raise.
Madison County commissioners voted to file a preliminary application for Clean Ohio Trails Fund financial assistance and authorized staff to sign grant documents to pursue acquisition of a rail corridor parcel priced at $665,000.
The project representative said Clean Ohio would provide $500,000 toward the land purchase and the county would be responsible for a $165,000 local match, which the local "friends" group has committed to raising. The board approved the motion to submit the application and to permit staff to send a waiver letter to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources so the county may purchase the parcel before grant reimbursement is available.
A consultant from OSI Open Space Institute outlined the transaction steps from Norfolk Southern to OSI to the county and partners, saying Norfolk Southern senior management has given final approval to proceed and that the county’s appraisal came in higher than Norfolk Southern’s. The consultant said the main parcel the county will buy is estimated at $665,000 and two smaller outparcels are priced at $65,000 combined for private partners.
Commissioners and staff discussed next steps including contract review, due diligence and timing. Questions focused on rail‑crossing removal and who would be responsible for repairing roadways after rail removal; the consultant said Norfolk Southern will remove rails and ties but the stone road base would remain and the parties would clarify whether Norfolk Southern will repair roadways when crossings are removed.
Staff said a conservative total construction estimate for the trail, including a required bridge rehabilitation, is about $2.6 million. The county noted the transportation alternative program could fund 80% to 100% of construction costs when a safety element is included. The presenter cautioned that construction timing depends on funding sources and that federally funded projects can take several years to reach construction.
The board’s vote authorized the grant application and related waiver letter; staff will return with contract paperwork and further budget details as the project proceeds.
