TITLE
Title
GRANT APPLICATION - PAVED TRAILS AND SIDEWALKS FEASIBILITY FOR THE BICENTENNIAL GREENWAY
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SPONSOR
Sponsor
Dwight Godwin, Parks & Recreation Director
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BACKGROUND
Background
The City of Greensboro, City of High Point, and Guilford County recently entered into an Interlocal Agreement establishing shared ownership and management responsibilities for the Bicentennial Greenway. The agreement provides a coordinated approach to maintaining and improving the regional greenway system, including addressing aging infrastructure, aligning resources, and pursuing grant opportunities to support long-term improvements.
The Piedmont Triad Regional Council (PTRC) recently identified a grant opportunity through the North Carolina Department of Transportation's (NCDOT) Paved Trails and Sidewalks Feasibility Studies Program. Guilford County, in partnership with the City of High Point, proposes to pursue funding to evaluate improvements to the southern section of the Bicentennial Greenway, west of East Fork.
This section of the Greenway includes a deteriorating wooden staircase and a significant elevation change adjacent to a bridge, presenting accessibility and safety concerns. The proposed feasibility study will evaluate existing conditions, identify potential improvements, and assess alternative trail alignments to improve accessibility, safety, and long-term maintenance.
Guilford County and the City of High Point propose to pursue $80,000 in total project funding for the feasibility study. The NCDOT program requires a 20% local match of $16,000, which will be shared equally between the two jurisdictions ($8,000 each). Guilford County's contribution will be funded through existing Parks and Recreation capital appropriations previously approved by the Board of Commissioners.
PTRC will prepare and submit the grant application on behalf of Guilford County and the City of High Point and provide grant administration services. PTRC will charge a $2,000 administrative fee, shared equally between the two jurisdictions ($1,000 each). Guilford County's portion of the administrative fee will be funded through the Parks and Recreation Department's existing operating budget.
Guilford County's total financial commitment is $9,000, consisting of an $8,000 grant match and a $1,000 administrative fee, both funded through existing appropriations.
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BUDGET IMPACT
Budget Impact
NO ADDITIONAL COUNTY FUNDS
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REQUESTED ACTION
Requested Action
Authorize the Piedmont Triad Regional Council (PTRC) to prepare and submit a grant application on behalf of Guilford County, in partnership with the City of High Point, to the NCDOT Paved Trails and Sidewalks Feasibility Studies Program. The proposed study will evaluate needed improvements and potential realignment of the southern section of the Bicentennial Greenway to enhance accessibility and safety for Greenway users.
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