Board hears plans for $4.5M in sidewalks and pathways; Regency Drive work will be multi‑year

Sheila said the sidewalk and trail construction fund includes about $4.5 million in proposed expenses focused on the pathways program that voters approved, listing Regency Drive, the 92 highway connection, and several pedestrian crossings on 19th Street and Meadowbrook. She told the board the city received grant funding for portions of the pathways work but cautioned that right‑of‑way acquisition and federal rules mean projects will be staged across multiple years and may require local matches and preliminary engineering.

Aldermen asked whether staff had already started right‑of‑way acquisition for Regency Drive; Sheila said no — the city has not formally accepted every grant award and the steps (including right‑of‑way work) will occur as funding and federal compliance are completed. She and public works staff confirmed some projects are under construction this year while others will proceed as the match and design work are completed.