Just Mention Trails If You Want To Get The Council's Attention

Is a two-mile, twelve-foot wide trail that winds in and around businesses on the west side really an appropriate use for $757,000 of the TIF districts funds? Isn’t it rather ironic that Democrats on the County Council are so quick to appropriate funding for so much impervious surface that will ultimately cover up several acres of natural green space? Admittedly the pathway does provide for alternative modes of transportation, including walkers, joggers, cyclist and roller-bladers. It also happens to fit within the use and intent of the funding source and it even meshes with the County’s overall plan, exactly why I’m not sure. The question is, how many people will truly benefit from the use of this trail and furthermore what are the long-term expenses in maintaining it? Currently the trend in our community seems to be that virtually every land use issue and funding source is tied to trails and pathways. As a result, when these trails and pathways come to fruition has anyone addressed the impact of what it will cost the taxpayers to maintain these amenities?

Most communities consider TIF money as funding for infrastructure within the district to provide for and offset the cost of developing the area. It is typically utilized to attract and provide for existing businesses for the purpose of economic development. Since this pathway doesn’t connect with any housing developments it is difficult to fathom enough people using this pathway to justify the expense. Furthermore, it will be a pathway between industrial and commercial buildings that are constantly exhausting byproducts into the surrounding atmosphere. Does anyone really want to jog or cycle through an area that smells of burning plastics and paint fumes. This pathway proposal makes almost as much sense as the concept of a trail extension on the south side of town that will extend past the City’s sewage treatment plant by following the old railroad system.

There is a reason why communities designate areas as industrial and commercial. What seems to be occurring in our community is a complete oversight as why companies locate to a particular area in the first place. To them amenities include roadway and highway access, sewers, water and other utilities as well as the impact of their business on the surrounding neighborhood. The availability of the appropriate workforce is another major factor. It is difficult to understand why our community leaders continually try to intermix the uses of the land that we have available for economic development. When you look at the potential uses of this money it appears the trail concept should be way down the list. Regardless, the tax and spend liberals see it as a pot of money they can dedicate right now to one of their pet projects rather than leaving it to the more conservative approach of saving it for use when its really needed. You really shouldn’t be surprised.