posted June 30, 2009
The City Council will vote next Tuesday on providing $50,000 in capital funds for a new link to the North Chickamauga Greenway.
Rick Wood of the Trust for Public Land said the new section of trail will connect Hixson High School and Hixson Middle School with a new Morning Pointe assisted living facility.
He said the county school and Greg Vital of Morning Pointe are both donating property for the project.
Mr. Wood said it will include a concrete trail.
The proposal has the TPL handling the building of the trail instead of the city. Mr. Wood said he believes TPL can act quickly and may use some existing contractors working at Hixson Middle School.
He said the total project cost would be $70,000 to $75,000 and he would seek to raise the remainder from the private sector.
Council Chairman Jack Benson questioned why the city would not bid the project itself, and he said the city is in a tight budget situation and needs to first see the administration's budget plan.
Councilwoman Debra Scott said the $50,000 is of concern, but she said the big expense would be continued maintenance of the trail by the city.
Councilman Manny Rico spoke in favor, saying Chattanooga is known for its greenway trail system. "We can't stop doing these kind of things," he said.
Councilman Russell Gilbert said, "Gatlinburg is crap. It's too much." But he said Chattanooga has scenic trails where you can watch hawks and other wildlife.
Councilwoman Sally Robinson also spoke in favor, and Councilwoman Pam Ladd said it will be a key link eventually to Greenway Farm, which she said is heavily used.
She said the school and the seniors at the other end of the trail are looking forward to using it.
Mr. Wood said he is working with a church that may donate a mile and a half of land along North Chickamauga Creek upstream from the proposed new trailhead.
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