We asked our Friends Email list to contact elected officials regarding the Boardman Lake Trail’s consideration for economic stimulus funding on March 19. I heard from many of you who wrote letters, emails and made phone calls. Thank you.

 

For those of you who missed the call for action, we are asking you to share your passion for trails and contact Governor Granholm ASAP! TART believes the Boardman Lake Trail will be a legacy project for our area and will enhance community wellness now and for future generations. TART encourages residents to contact Governor Granholm either at the town-hall meeting in Traverse City tomorrow or write a letter in support of the project. It is our understanding that the decision on the Economic Stimulus Package funding will be decided on in the next 10 days. Please act quickly.

 

The completion of the Boardman Lake Trail is currently under consideration for stimulus funding. Senator Jason Allen and Representative Wayne Schmidt have been working in Lansing to raise the profile of this great project. Officials from Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation (TART) Trails have submitted this project widely, and ask Traverse City residents to voice support for this project to Governor Granholm. The project is ‘shovel-ready’ and has been recommended by Senator Allen’s office as a preferred project for Economic Stimulus Funding to Governor Granholm, the Senate Majority Leader’s office and to the director of the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT.)

Governor Granholm will be hosting a town hall-style meeting to discuss the Economic Stimulus Package with citizens in Traverse City tomorrow April 15, 2009 from 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. at the Hagerty Conference Center located at 715 E Front Street.

 

Project details:

The Boardman Lake Trail will be an eventual 5-mile non-motorized trail loop in the middle of our community. The first half of the trail has been built with state funding along with financial support from three local units of government: Grand Traverse County, City of Traverse City, and Garfield Township. The completed Boardman Lake Trail will be a gem right in the middle of Traverse City’s trail system, and our community. The trail will be busy with cyclists, walkers, runners, and in the winter, cross-country skiers. Important transportation links will be created between neighborhoods, businesses, parks and civic buildings. The trail will be the site for many community events, walk-a-thons and more! The $2.8 million price tag is to complete the paving and boardwalk sections on the west side of the lake, bridge the Boardman River near South Airport Road, and complete the circle. The wood boardwalk sections tend to be labor intensive, creating more jobs than an equivalent trail or road-paving project.

 

Governor’s contact information:
Jennifer Granholm, State of Michigan Governor
PO Box 30013 Lansing, MI 48909
517-373-3400
mailto:info@jennifergranholm.com

 

Thank you for your consideration!