Traverse City Record-Eagle

Grand Traverse County

November 24, 2009

County won't pay for Boardman trail studies

BY BRIAN McGILLIVARY

TRAVERSE CITY -- A new funding partner may be needed to complete the Boardman Lake Trail after Grand Traverse County rejected a $4,666 funding request for two feasibility studies.

The county board voted 6 to 3 against the funding request Nov. 17. Commissioners Beth Friend, Mike Stepka, and Larry Inman supported the request.

Traverse City, Garfield Township, and the county chipped in more than $150,000 each to help build a trail that runs along the eastern rim of Boardman Lake. It's expected to cost an estimated $3 million to finish a loop around the lake with a trail on the western edge.

Traverse City officials notified county Administrator Dennis Aloia that they are preparing a grant request to the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund. The city wants to discuss the county's continued partnership in the project and its willingness to contribute toward a $100,000 local match for the next phase.

"Well, let's see: $4,600 didn't make it. I'm thinking not," Aloia said.

County Commissioner Addison Wheelock Jr. of Long Lake Township said the trail provides little benefit for most county residents.

"Many of my constituents have never seen this trail and probably never will in their lifetime ... so why should they be asked to help pay for it?" Wheelock said.

TART Trails Inc. requested the funding for the two trial studies.

The organization wants $3,000 each from the city, county, and township to fund an engineering feasibility study for a pedestrian tunnel or bridge across South Airport Road at Logan's Landing. The crossing would give trail users unimpeded access to the rest of the Boardman River trail system, said Bob Otwell, TART's executive director.

County Commissioner Christine Maxbauer suggested the crosswalk for trail users. Maxbauer, a city resident, said she won't support additional trail funding requests until the economy and county revenues improve.

"My priorities right now are keeping the adolescent health clinic open and replacing vehicles for the sheriff's department," Maxbauer said. "We simply don't have the money."

The financial squeeze led to TART's second request, $1,660 to study the feasibility of a millage request and other funding alternatives to complete the Boardman Lake Trail and an extension of the Buffalo Ridge Trail in Garfield Township.

Otwell said he believes voters will support a millage for the right project and doesn't favor waiting for the economy to turn.

"I'm here to push these projects, and if we're not out asking people to build trails and pushing to raise money to build trails, it won't get done," Otwell said.

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