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Trail fundraising up, but construction is far off
By DAN DeWITT BROOKSVILLE -- The dirt, pipes and other construction materials stockpiled at the base of S Brooksville Avenue leave the impression that work is finally about to commence on the proposed Good Neighbor Trail, which one day will end there. The impression is false but hints at something that is true: The jobs of planning the trail and raising money to build it have accelerated lately, even though the construction materials are actually for the renovation work under way in downtown Brooksville, a few blocks to the north. Also, the two projects are related, said Raymond Hess, the city's redevelopment coordinator. "They are independent efforts, but at the same time, they are very much linked," Hess said. The work downtown, which was also delayed for several years, should show that the community can undertake ambitious redevelopment projects, he said. It will also bring momentum to the Good Neighbor Trail, as well as to the city park that is planned for the trail's western terminus, at the site of the old Russell Street train station. "It should act as a catalyst," Hess said. The proposed paved cycling trail would connect the city with the Withlacoochee State Trail about 9 miles to the east. The Florida Communities Trust bought the 20 acres on Russell Street from CSX Transportation Inc. for use as a trail head three years ago for $549,000. Even then, proponents of the idea, including former city planner Lynne Bolton, complained about the project's slow progress. The city has never stopped working on it, said Bill Geiger, the city's community development director, but the going is necessarily slow because it depends on donations and government grants. One grant, from the National Park Service, has recently helped push the work forward. The grant did not give the city money but rather technical advice on how to apply for grants and how to present its goals to the community. Geiger, Hess and several members of thetrail's advisory board met last week with a planner from Sarasota and a landscape architect from Atlanta supplied through the grant. The architect will help the city produce a brochure to promote the trail, and the planner is offering advice on finding money, Geiger said. One potential money source is a state program that has helped pay for several other city park projects. "We got some good news about that last week," Geiger said. The state ranked third of nine applicants for the latest round of grants. That means it should receive $61,000 this year, though given the budget crunch in Tallahassee, cuts in the program are possible, Geiger said. Money awarded to the city from CSX Transportation Inc. for removing timber on city land, about $105,000, is earmarked for the trail head project, Geiger said. The city has applied for a $20,000 private grant that it previously came close to winning. "We think we have a really good chance at that one," Geiger said. The city is also in line to receive $75,000 from the county Metropolitan Planning Organization for restroom facilities and parking. Steve Diez, a transportation planner with the county and member of the trail's advisory committee, warned that the money would not be available for about two years. Still, he said, he is pleased that things seem to be moving forward. "It looks like they are pursuing as many new grants as possible," he said. -- Dan DeWitt covers the city of Brooksville, politics and the environment. He can be reached at 754-6116 or at dewitt@sptimes.com
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