Planning is underway for a 4,100 linear foot extension of the Riverwalk Trail from Industrial Park Drive in Hastings, into Rutland Township to Wal-Mart to bring the total length of the trail to well over four miles.
Director of Hastings Department of Public Services Lee Hayes said the city and Rutland Township will share the cost of the hard surfaced non-motorized trail based on the footage in each unit; 55.56 percent (2,250 linear feet) from the city and 44.44 percent (1,800 linear feet) from the township.
The City Council Monday approved Hays request for Prein & Newhof to prepare cost estimates and a conceptual rendering that will be used when seeking grants and donations. The study will cost $14,700, with the city paying $8,167.32 and Rutland Township paying $5,532.68.
Hayes is looking for potential funding, listing four possible grants sources:
* An MDOT Transportation Alternatives Program grant, that would cover up to 80 percent of the project, with a 20 percent local match.
* a Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) Trust Fund grant that would cover up to $300,000 of project funding.
* an MDNR Recreation Transport grant for construction of a trailhead north of the existing Aldi store, that would cover up to $75,000 of the cost.
The trail is considered highly competitive for the three grants and the first two have been already been used to fund parts of the existing trail, Hayes said. The fourth funding possibility is donations and crowd funding that would go toward the local match.
The city and township worked on the Trail Extension and Sidewalk Master Plan with Prein & Newhof on the location and plans for the trail as well as anticipated project costs for the trail, trailhead, design, construction engineering and 10 percent contingency.
“A project of this scope is higher than initially anticipated. Through donations, value engineering and reducing the project scope we will be able to bring the total match portion of the project to fit the budget,” Hays said. When they have revised project costs, and a better picture of the total funding, Hays will ask for council approval to more forward on the project.
