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Belmont council hears major updates on rail‑trail and Abby Creek Greenway; staff to pursue federal grant funding
Summary
City staff updated council on the Belmont rail‑trail and Abby Creek Greenway projects, outlining design, right‑of‑way needs and funding gaps. Staff recommended pursuing 2025 RAISE grant funds and clarified constraints on a $1.8M CAC award that requires full construction by 2029 for reimbursement.
City staff delivered a detailed update on Nov. 18 about the Belmont rail‑trail and the Abby Creek Greenway, reviewing decades of planning, current design status, funding shortfalls and next steps.
Key rail‑trail facts: staff said an NCDOT/CAC award of $1.8 million was received for right‑of‑way and utility relocation work on the southern half of the rail‑trail; that award carries a 20% local match ($360,000) and is a reimbursement grant that requires construction of the funded portion by 2029. Staff noted the CAC dollars are unlikely to cover the full construction cost for that portion, which the project’s design estimates put at roughly $6 million; under those assumptions staff estimated the city’s contribution to be on the order of $4.5 million when including matching and additional construction needs. The city has not yet expended the CAC funds and must identify a funding path to meet the CAC timeline or consider whether to decline the award.
Abby Creek Greenway: staff reported design is about 90% complete for the city’s portion. A capital project ordinance adopted previously included roughly $2.2 million for the city’s remaining segments, with about $500,000 expected from grant sources and approximately $1.7 million previously contemplated as loan proceeds from the water and sewer fund. Staff said many state capital funding sources previously anticipated have since been allocated to other projects, requiring fresh grant searches for the remaining construction funds.
Grant strategy and direction: staff recommended pursuing the 2025 RAISE (Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity) discretionary grant (application window open; due Jan. 30). Staff said RAISE awards can range from $1 million to $25 million and that Belmont qualifies as a rural area for match exemptions under some criteria. The council gave direction to pursue the RAISE application and to return with a progress update after application submission. Staff also noted the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) as a more limited state funding source (awards up to $100,000 with a 25% match) and other potential federal avenues.
Other considerations: right‑of‑way acquisition remains the project’s greatest gating issue—staff said one property in particular is unresolved—and construction cost estimates are older, so staff requested authorization to proceed with RFPs for updated construction estimates if council supports that step. Council members raised safety concerns where the trail runs near existing or planned transit infrastructure and the need to coordinate guardrails, fencing and access points with rail/trolley design. Staff also described maintenance and public‑safety considerations for isolated trail segments and potential mitigation such as solar lighting or cameras.
Outcome and next steps: council authorized staff to pursue federal grant opportunities (including RAISE) and directed staff to continue right‑of‑way outreach; staff will return with updates on grant outcomes, refined construction cost estimates and any recommended funding commitments if grant awards require local match.
