Saturday Special: City Administration Seeks Recreational Path on South Side of River

New Recreational Path would link Treasure Island to North Clay Street

Welcome to the Civic Capacity Newsletter, where the aim is to keep you informed about important decisions up for discussion in our community. In this special edition, we're excited to share news about an upcoming meeting of the City Council's Recreation and Parks Committee, set for September 25th at 6:00 p.m. The focus of this meeting is a crucial $4 million infrastructure project that has the interest of many in our community.

The committee's agenda will revolve around a proposal to seek up to $750,000 in funding from the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission. This funding would support the construction of a 4000-foot-long bike lane on the southern bank of the Great Miami River, connecting Treasure Island to North Clay Street.

A Bit of Context

The inspiration for this bike lane project stemmed from the recommendations made by consultants who suggested removing the low head dam on the Great Miami River, located near the Miami Shores Golf Course on the eastern side of our city. The initial discussions took place during a virtual workshop held over Zoom in June 2020, a time when the COVID-19 pandemic was at its peak and severely limited public participation. You can read the reports provided by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service during that workshop from the city’s website here.

Subsequently, City Council took action in August 2021 by passing Resolution R-35-2021 (seen below), which had two significant provisions:

• Authorization for the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to proceed with the removal of the low head dam.

• Empowerment of the Director of Public Service and Safety to execute necessary agreements with various authorities, including the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, and the Miami Conservancy District, with the condition that the dam removal project should not financially impact the City of Troy.

Follow the Money

Fast forward to September 2023, and the City Administration is seeking Council's approval to apply for $750,000 in funding from the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission. This funding is crucial for the completion of the bike trail, a pivotal part of the overall project that is estimated to cost nearly $4 million. If approved, the funds would become available no earlier than July 2025. In the report to the committee, the city administration is making the following request:

As stated above, the detailed estimate shows that the project will be nearly $4 Million and if $750,000 in funding is approved, the soonest it will be available is July 2025 with construction expected in 2026.

In the report provided by the administration, it is noted that the City is committed to covering the $4 million budget for the entire dam removal project, despite Resolution R-35-2021's initial intent for it to be cost-neutral. The administration firmly believes that investing this $4 million segment of the project is a worthwhile step toward securing the remaining funds necessary for the vital low head dam removal.

Understanding the intricate details of this $4 million financial commitment will likely be a key focus for the committee. Even if the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission provides the anticipated funding, there will still be a $3.25 million gap to fill in order to advance the 4,000-foot recreational trail. This raises important questions about the funding sources: Can we tap into other grant opportunities, or should we consider utilizing general fund taxpayer dollars? The dilemma of allocating $3.25 million in local taxpayer funds for a trail extension of less than one mile prompts a thoughtful examination of our community's priorities.

If You Build it, Will They Come?

Another critical aspect for the Recreation and Parks Committee to consider is whether this bike infrastructure is justified. Recent data from the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission reveals that the usage of such paths remains somewhat niche.

According to 2016 traffic counts, fewer than 100 individuals per day utilized the trail. Admittedly, these figures were recorded prior to the 2020 pandemic, when outdoor activities like cycling witnessed a surge in popularity (personally, I picked up cycling during that time and have become a dedicated trail user). It's also worth noting that these paths are typically not maintained for winter use.

Given these factors, there are lingering questions about whether a trail on the south side of the river will see consistent and sustained use. Adding to this concern is the fact that the proposed trail route extends from the beloved Treasure Island to an industrial area on North Clay Street, which does not and may not offer abundant recreational opportunities in the future.

Inclusive Decision-Making

While the Recreation and Parks Committee faces a multimillion-dollar decision, it's also a decision in which the community's input is invaluable. The committee will convene on Monday, September 25th, at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. Your attendance and comments are always welcome, as we collectively chart the future of our city's recreational infrastructure.

In Case You Missed It!

Earlier this week, our publication announced that it is collecting responses for its quarterly citizens survey. This presents an opportunity to share your thoughts and opinions on your hometown, and the results will be featured in a future edition of this newsletter! Learn more by reading this short post:

Thank you for reading today’s Civic Capacity. We believe that the key to a stronger community are citizens who are well informed about the actions and decisions made iin their community. Please share our work with your friends and neighbors who would also find this work important. Also feel free to leave your thoughts and ideas in the comment section.