Oxford seeks OKI construction grant to close area-trail loop; council approves application and higher application cap

Oxford — The city moved forward on the final planned segment of the Oxford Area Trail after council approved a resolution authorizing an application to the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana (OKI) Regional Council of Governments for Surface Transportation Block Grant funding.

Assistant City Manager Green described the project as the final segment to close the perimeter loop, constructing 3.24 miles of new trail and providing trail access to an estimated 8,740 people; staff said 75% of those people live in a low-to-moderate-income census tract. Green presented a story map showing the trail's connections to parks, schools and transit stops and asked council for approval to apply for construction funding. "This proposed route focuses on both completing the loop and providing equitable access to our residents," Green said.

Council approved a late amendment to the application that increases the potential grant request to up to $3.9 million while maintaining a local match cap of $2.3 million so staff can adjust figures while finalizing the application. Councilors discussed concerns raised in earlier community input (2021 public outcry over route alignment) and staff described efforts to minimize private-property impacts and favor public right of way where possible.

Staff said the construction portion is estimated at $5,124,545 and that the match would come from levy funds and anticipated grants such as Clean Ohio Trail Fund and state capital grants if awarded. Green said the route was developed with extensive public comment, recommended by the Oxford Transportation Advisory Board and formally adopted by council in December 2024.

Next steps: staff will finalize application materials for OKI, including the story map, and submit the construction grant application; if awarded, the city will proceed with design and implementation according to funding availability.