Construction of the South Tar River Greenway extension (phase 3) is closer to completion thanks to an agreement between the City and the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). During their Monday, February 10, 2014 meeting, the City Council approved a Municipal Agreement with NCDOT where NCDOT will provide extra funding to cover increased construction costs and will not require the City to match those funds.
“Normally, the City is required to match 20% of grants for greenways,” said Public Works Director Kevin Mulligan. “NCDOT is phasing out funding specifically for greenways and, in the future, will make them compete with roads for funding. In the interim, NCDOT is using the money they currently have to complete greenway projects that are already in the works.”
Phase 3 of the South Tar River Greenway runs from Pitt Street to Moye Boulevard, linking West Greenville, the new Veterans Administration facility, and Vidant Medical Center to the greenway system at the Town Common. The greenway then continues along the river through the university neighborhood to Greensprings Park, then to Elm Street Park and the campus of ECU.
Originally, the City applied for a $1.2 million grant for design and construction of the greenway. The City was awarded $907,609 and is required to match 20%. The Pitt County Health Department also awarded the City a grant of $50,000 to aid in the planning portion of this project. Greenville was paying $226,902 for its share of the project.
During the plan development phase of work, a number of issues impacting the scope and design were discovered which will require additional funds. Issues include crossing the CSX bridge, lengthening the greenway beyond the original termination point, acquiring more property than originally anticipated, adding boardwalk and bridges to reduce wetland impacts, and providing trail heads for parking.
The total project cost now stands at a little more than $2 million, but this Supplemental Municipal Agreement with NCDOT will provide an additional $903,000 in Federal and State money with no additional matching funds required from the City.
“Public response to the most recently completed greenway segment, which linked the Green Mill Run and South Tar Greenways, has been extremely positive,” said Recreation and Parks Director Gary Fenton. “The upcoming Phase 3 extension will make the greenway of even greater benefit to our citizens and community, so we expect the positive response to continue, and even grow.”
Greenways are linear parks which provide recreation and transportation alternatives. Greenways are often cited as critical components leading to a higher quality of life and helping with economic development to attract and retain new businesses and investment along or near greenways.
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