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Council debates Clementa Avenue trail after DNR grant; city will seek extension
Summary
City Engineer reported a DNR-funded trail grant for Clementa Avenue but warned of roughly $673,000 total project cost and about $463,000 city share; council asked staff to seek a DNR extension and agreed not to proceed if an extension is denied.
City Engineer Spencer Johnson told the council the city was awarded a DNR grant for a standalone Clementa Avenue path (the LRIP street grant was not selected). He gave a preliminary cost estimate of about $673,000 for the trail project, with roughly $463,000 expected to be an out-of-pocket cost to the city and approximately $60,000 for wetland mitigation credits.
"That brings us to an approximate $673,000 total and project cost with approximately $463,000 out of out of out of pocket cost for the city," Spencer Johnson said. He also said cultural-resource reviews were ongoing and that staff would request required approvals from the state and execute a contract with the DNR after those items are secured.
Several council members questioned proceeding with the trail before resurfacing Clementa Avenue. One council member said, "I just don't think at this time it's in our best interest," arguing that building a trail while the road remains in poor condition could be inefficient. Staff and council discussed applying again for the Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP) in fall 2025 and coordinating with Marysville Township. The council directed staff to ask the DNR for an extension to align construction with the planned 2027 resurfacing; several council members said they would not proceed if DNR denies an extension.
Staff said they would still apply for LRIP this fall and coordinate with Marysville Township; if DNR grants an extension, the city could align trail construction with the later road project.
