Hamlet council votes to spend remaining federal grant to extend City Lake Trail’s west side

Hamlet’s City Council voted to use the remaining portion of a federal grant to extend the west side of the City Lake Trail, prioritizing a less complex, phase‑one extension so the city does not forfeit the funds.

City Manager John told the council that about $180,000–$200,000 of an approximately $400,000 federal grant remains and must be expended by Dec. 26, 2026. He said wetlands, right‑of‑way acquisition and a proposed boardwalk across saturated areas make the east‑side work unlikely to be completed before the deadline. “We either do it or don’t do it,” a councilmember said when moving the motion to accept the manager’s recommendation.

The manager described a three‑phase plan: extend the west side up to the proposed bridge as phase one, build the east‑side trail in phase two, and construct the expensive boardwalk across wetlands in phase three as additional grants and budget allow. He estimated the overall project could cost roughly $1.5 million to $2 million, with the boardwalk alone at about $800,000.

Council discussion focused on the remaining grant balance and project scope. When asked whether the work would include lighting, staff replied that lighting is not included in the phase‑one west‑side work. Council moved, seconded and approved the recommendation to expend the remaining grant funds on the west‑side extension.

The council’s vote formalizes the use of the remaining federal dollars on the portion of the trail that staff say can be completed within the grant’s time constraints; subsequent phases will require future grants, budget appropriations and planning‑board approval.