McLean County Times

At its Jan. 3 meeting, the Normal Town Council discussed a trail construction project and financing. Speaking about the project at length was the Director of Public Works, Ryan Otto. 

Speaking about the funding, he said, "80% is federal, the 20% actually state, but is done and administered like a federal program. So since we did get 100% funding, we move forward with procuring and negotiating a contract for design, which we now have presented before you. Unfortunately, the length of time between the cost estimate in 2020 when we submitted the grant application and today is a little over two years. And in that time, of course costs have gone up, thus the $14,000. So the way it works and the reason you see $168,000 in the budget is not because we have to pay $168,000. It's actually because we have to upfront the money and then we get reimbursed by IDOT for design. So the total cost for design to the town is actually the $14,000."

A resident came out to speak in favor of the trail construction project, advocating for the approval of the project so that it can continue. He asked the council to  continue supporting the trail as it would be mostly grant funded, and had been a request of citizens for years. It would also be a huge benefit to the community as it connects many neighborhoods and park, and brings some more connection with the University in town.

A grant application was submitted by the town in October of 2020 through IDOT. The grant award, a reimbursement grant, received 100% funding. A total of $168,000 had been budgeted for paying the design fees for the first two phases of the project, but the council requested an additional $14,000 for that budget to seal the contract with Hutchinson Design Firm. As a result of the time delay between the grant award and payment, the town will not be reimbursed the extra $14,000, according to Otto. 

The Gregory Trail project will extend the existing trail on the Northside of Normal from Adelaide all the way over the Parkside. This project has been in the works for years, advocated for by the Friends of the Constitution Trail. The path will be multi use, allowing pedestrians and cyclists, but will still be completely separated from the road. 

Council voted to pass the resolution.