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Natchez Trails Project funded
Published Saturday, November 21, 2009
NATCHEZ — The Natchez Trails Project is one of four transportation improvement projects statewide to receive funding from the Delta Region Transportation Development Program.
Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss., announced this week the Natchez Trails Project has received $607,623 — fantastic news for City Engineer and Trails Project Chairman David Gardner.
“We greatly appreciate Sen. Cochran, the Federal Highway Administration and the Mississippi Department of Transportation for their assistance in this,” Gardner said. “We’re planning on using the money for the second phase of the project.”
Gardner said the second phase of the trail will run along St. Catherine Street, Forks of the Road, Liberty Road and end at Natchez Trace Parkway. Interpretive signs noting the city’s black history will accent the recreational route.
Gardner and former City Grants Coordinator Brett Brinegar acquired a $171,000 no-match grant for black history exhibits for the project’s second phase in September. The grant, coupled with the latest funds, will help tell a more complete story, Gardner said.
“(The money) will help us get started,” Gardner said. “We’re extremely excited about this appropriation because there’s a lot of African-American history there to be told.”
The first phase of the project, — $2.9 million venture — has been fully funded via government earmarks, matching grants and private contributions totaling $380,000, Gardner said.
The first phase includes 5.6 miles trails running along Broadway, High, Rankin, Washington and Martin Luther King streets. Interpretive signs outlining city history will dot the route.
In addition, trails will run along three tiers down Broadway Street, Silver Street, Roth Hill Road, Learned Mill Road and the bank of the river. A timber bridge will travel through the wooded area on the bluff.
“We’re planning on putting a plaza in front of the Cock of the Walk area — a brick plaza with seating and a pavilion,” Gardner said. (The plaza) will be the trail head.”
Gardner said the city will advertise bids for the first phase Dec. 8 and Dec. 15, and receive bids Jan. 12. Gardner expects to begin design planning for the second phase this spring.
“It’s going to be an exciting trail and a fun way to re-explore and learn about the history of Natchez,” Gardner said. “But it’s also a good way to exercise and enjoy Natchez.”
Comments
Posted by speakup (anonymous) on November 21, 2009 at 1:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
thanks again britt. city officials, did you see what she did?
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on November 21, 2009 at 3:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'll walk any of the trail in any area at any time. Looking forward to it. The petunias can walk behind me if they want to. Or better yet, they can just stay at home.
Posted by Yeahuhuh (anonymous) on November 21, 2009 at 7:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
OGD -- Some of those folks who read Mrbobo's posts about the black colleges might want to kick his patoot and pitch him over into the weeds to think about it .
So in a self-fulfilling prophesy way he might be right.
Posted by sandra (anonymous) on November 21, 2009 at 7:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
didn't you just have a recent election? are you voting for the "most" qualified candidates or are your votes based upon some other characteristics?
to rid Natchez of the criminal elements, oust the nepotism, cronyism and favoritism political base. its too late for Nashville because its inbred but you might be capable of stopping it back home if you do it quickly. i want to bike those trails when i return home. please get rid of the criminals so that i feel safe like i felt when i grew up there as a kid.
Posted by erohed (anonymous) on November 21, 2009 at 8:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Things are looking-up for Natchez!
Posted by bellesouth (anonymous) on November 21, 2009 at 10:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't understand why this takes so much money. It's not like there is any construction of these trails -- just markers along existing "trails". We call them sidewalks around here.
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on November 21, 2009 at 11:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yeahuhuh, yes I read his stuff elsewhere. I didn't think much of it. And I'm looking forward to the trails being nice and peaceful. But I figure muggers will be running away from me and not the other way around. I'd rather a bunch of little bobo's not be in my way when that opportunity presents itself.
:)
Posted by Continental_Line (anonymous) on November 21, 2009 at 12:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You're right bellesouth .
That was my first thought when this idea came up a few years ago.
2.9 MILLION DOLLARS ?... just for the first "phase" .
Posted by steve_o (anonymous) on November 21, 2009 at 3:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
24 feet wide and 2.75 miles long = 2.9 million! Phase 1
memory refresher:
http://www.natchezdemocrat.com/news/2008...
I still am not sure how they are going to link this to Vidalia eventually. Are we to hoof it across the bridge?
Posted by sugadada (anonymous) on November 21, 2009 at 4:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Always negativity on ND comments. Can people for once be civil and just get over their stupidity and immaturity? This will bring part time jobs to Natchez and will make the area they are referring to look alot better.
Posted by Continental_Line (anonymous) on November 21, 2009 at 5:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What is negative "sugadada' ?
Two - Point -Nine -Million Dollars for a side walk ?
You say such money will bring " PART TIME " jobs ???????
Why don't you want FULL TIME jobs for the Natchez unemployed ???????
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on November 21, 2009 at 5:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
steve_o, hopefully Natchez and Vidalia will create the bridge walkway so that we are connected for pedestrian and bicycle traffic. That is one thing that truly would be a tourist draw. Bridge walkways in other states are popular. And this would connect our trails with the Vidalia riverfront.
Posted by steve_o (anonymous) on November 21, 2009 at 5:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on November 19, 2009 at 7:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"Your support of the bridge walkway is much appreciated. If you start building from Vidalia, I'll build from over here. Then we can meet in the middle and share hunting stories and spit over the rails."
This is gonna be cool!
Maybe someone on top of the Bluff can turn on there sprinkler and create a waterfall effect above the timber bridge! How cool is that?
Posted by Continental_Line (anonymous) on November 21, 2009 at 5:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Old Grand Pappy,
In your opinion, Is it worth Natchez to spend two point nine million dollars on a side walk ?
Posted by speakup (anonymous) on November 21, 2009 at 7:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
again. thanks britt. city fathers..what have you done to get money in area?
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on November 21, 2009 at 9:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Continental_Line, if you wish to have an intelligent exchange of ideas with me then I'll expect you to discontinue taking liberties with my name.
steve_o, for a while there really was a waterfall below the visitor center. A water leak caused a stream to run along the tracks and then into the gully where it dropped off in a nice falls. It carved a nice little canyon over the last 2 years. I believe it was recently capped off. But with a few blasts of shot-crete it could have become a permanent fixture.
Posted by missmuzeum (anonymous) on November 21, 2009 at 11:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The Trails Exhibit, at least Phase I, is really cool. There will be an actual nature trail built at the bottom of the bluff, while the other ones do follow existing sidewalks. Some of the cost comes from the initial design work and research on the trail signs (which has been a year-long process), actual sign construction, lighting, handicapped accessible areas in the existing sidewalks, new trail construction on the bluff, and a kiosk in a brick-floored "courtyard" in front of the Cock of the Walk. The signage itself is REALLY expensive--but it beautiful and informative, as well as weather, light and vandal-reistant. It also has to conform to a zillion regulations to make it all handicapped-accessible. It will be a huge asset to our city when it is done, not only to the tourists, who provide a good portion of Natchez' life blood, but to the residents as well.
Posted by Continental_Line (anonymous) on November 22, 2009 at 4:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Old Gand Dad,
I'm sorry.
I ment no disrespect whatsoever.
I enjoy your posts ! I wish everyone made as much sense as you.
Again, please accept my apology.
Contintal_Line,
Posted by blackwood (anonymous) on November 22, 2009 at 6:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Continental_Line, why of course. Apology accepted. I hope that I didn't sound too grumpy.
:)
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