Council authorizes design work on Summit/Stowe corridor, city share $25,000

City staff summarized a collaborative project with the county to address structural issues and improve pedestrian connectivity between Tannery Park and downtown. The proposal described replacing the county-owned structure, adding a minimum 8-foot shared-use path and new crossings to better connect the farmers market and downtown businesses.

Staff said the planning phase is essentially complete and the recommended next step is to execute a design agreement with the county to advance detailed plans and secure remaining grant funding. The staff estimate for overall project costs was $450,000, with grants and partner agencies covering the majority and a net city cost for the current design agreement of $25,000.

Council authorized the agreement with an emergency classification by voice vote. Staff emphasized that the project will require coordination with CSX and other railroads and that the design will still allow modifications; public meetings and additional review would follow as design work proceeds.