City leaders are eyeing an expansion of the River’s Edge trail south of Thomas Street.
The city’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Monday voted to recommend ranking that section of the trail — which would traverse from Thomas Street south around the city’s wastewater treatment plant to Adolph Street — to be the city’s top priority when it looks to grow the River’s Edge Trail. The section is on the west side of the Wisconsin River.
Members of the Bike/Ped committee took a tour led by City Planner Brad Lenz following the meeting. There is a dirt path on part of the trail.
The city’s Room Tax Commission Monday voted to dedicate up to $100,000 to cover any shortfalls not funded through the city’s capital project selection process. Another $250,000 was dedicated by the commission to a segment north of Winton Street.
Meanwhile, the city is negotiating the purchase of two properties on Cherry Street on the north side of town from MBX that could be used for future River’s Edge Trail expansion, and is also negotiating with MBX on easements along the river between Stewart Avenue and Bridge Street to help complete that segment of the trail.
The River’s Edge Trail is a paved path that, when completed, would traverse the length of the Wisconsin River on both east and west sides. The city has been working on gaining access to build the trail and adding sections of the trail when it can.
Lenz says the city recently acquired easements from Kolbe and Kolbe which makes that trail the most feasible to be built next. That segment could be built as early as next year.
