A campaign to raise funds for the Village Trail, a proposed walking and bicycling venue through the City of Houston, began this week with additional information about the effort.
The City of Houston is partnering with Downtown Houston Inc. and the Houston Area Chamber of Commerce to develop walking, biking, hiking, jogging and skating trails around and through Houston. Through the effort, concrete sidewalks will be constructed to accommodate dual lane activities for participants and new transportation lanes will be created.
“Many citizens are increasing physical fitness, but they generally have to walk along city streets,” explained Elaine Campbell, development director for the City of Houston and Downtown Houston Inc. “You may have observed pedestrians walking along Highway 63.”
That stretch of roadway, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation, as has many 18,000 vehicles traveling it daily.
“Our goal is to protect walkers and provide lanes for pedestrians, bicyclers and fitness users,” Campbell said.
The current projects include:
– The Brushy Creek Trail, funded by a Missouri Department of Natural Resources grant, is to be completed by December. This will include a trailhead to be placed at the former gravel operation at Oak Hill Drive. Downtown Houston Inc. earlier signed an agreement to purchase the property and clean up is under way. A crew was clearing vegetation on Friday.
Access will be from the Houston Visitors Center, Emmett Kelly Park and the Texas County Justice Center.
– A 2005 Missouri Department of Transportation grant will fund a 10-foot wide transportation lane along U.S. 63 from Highway 17 to Grand Avenue. This includes a native rock entry sign for the downtown. Engineer plans are being finalized with a completion date in 2009.
– A 2006 MoDOT grant will fund a 10-foot wide stretch from U.S. 63 to Grand Avenue to Emmett Kelly Park. It also will continue the north end of the Brushy Creek stretch along Grand Avenue to Spruce Street. Completion date: 2010.
A stretch through Emmett Kelly Park is funded by the City of Houston.
– The city is applying for a 2007 MoDOT grant to fund lanes along Spruce Street. Completion date is 2011. Additionally, two permanent native rock entry signs at North U.S. 63 and South U.S. 63 are included.
Support for information signs at strategic points along the trail are sought.
Persons, businesses and organizations can help in several ways:
– Donating money for additional trail footage. Fifteen individuals and groups have donated about $5,000. The original plan was to have the Spruce Street lane completed by 2005, but was rescheduled because three grants of more than $650,000 were received with deadlines that took priority over construction crews.
– Purchasing a sign can be accomplished with a $500 sponsorship. Sponsors will have their name in the lower left corner and a star marking their business location. McCarty Signs of Houston has donated the first sign, and persons can view it at Houston City Hall.
Donations are tax deductible on federal returns.
A public meeting is set for 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. May 21 at city hall to discuss the projects.