Ongoing efforts to extend the city’s rail-to-trail corridor could reach more than 50 miles into North Louisiana.
On Tuesday, the El Dorado Works Board approved a funding request from Alderman Billy Blann to conduct a feasibility study for a project dubbed the “Rock Island Greenway.”
Following Blann’s pitch, which touted the economic impact and health benefits that walking/biking trails and off-path systems could have on the community, EWB members voted on a funding request of $5,000 to cover the city’s portion of the cost for the feasibility study.
Blann said city officials in Ruston, Louisiana, initiated the project and have agreed to kick in half of the $32,000 cost for the study.
Crafton Tull and Associates, an architecture, engineering and survey firm with offices in Arkansas and Oklahoma, will conduct the study.
Crafton Tull began working on a master plan for a pedestrian and biking system for El Dorado in 2015.
The firm also drafted the conceptual design for the widening of Hillsboro/U.S. 82 B through El Dorado — a project that is planned by the Arkansas Department of Transportation.
Blann said the initial fee was $40,000 for the Rock Island Greenway, but Crafton Tull offered a 20 percent discount since El Dorado has previously done business with the firm.
He told EWB members that a local, private donor committed $6,000 toward the cost and Union County agreed to kick in $5,000 since the trail, if built, would extend beyond El Dorado city limits.
Blann also said Union County Judge Mike Loftin agreed to take the lead and sign the contract with Crafton Tull.
“There will be one contract and we agreed to share it 50/50 with Ruston,” Blann said.
He said he has heard from local industries who have expressed interest in being involved in the project.
Blann and Robert Reynolds, chairman of the EWB, said there had been questions about the legality of such an arrangement between El Dorado and Union County.
“The question was can El Dorado put money into a project where some of the results would be outside city limits,” Reynolds explained.
He said he took the question to City Attorney Henry Kinslow, who researched similar agreements and projects in other cities and counties around the state.
Reynolds said state law permits interlocal agreements between towns, cities and counties.
Hash said the city has entered into such agreements in the past.
Reynolds pointed to the countywide, one-cent solid waste tax that is shared with the city of El Dorado.
Blann said the project would focus on the Ouachita Railroad line, which extends east from Main to U.S. 167.
Mayor Frank Hash said he has spoken with a Ouachita Railroad official who supports the idea.
“We don’t know how much right-of-way we would have. It’s an active railroad, but they’re amenable to the concept,” Hash said. “They’re looking at it as a beautification of their right of way.”
Blann said the feasibility study is phase one of the project and it would answer questions concerning rights-of-way, property ownership, wetlands, bridges, etc.
Earlier Tuesday, Blann said he attended a meeting in Bernice, Louisiana, that included mayors and other city officials from Junction City, Bernice, and Ruston — all cities that lie along the proposed 50-plus-mile route to Ruston.
He said representatives from all three cities rallied behind the idea, adding that such support bodes well for helping to secure funding and bringing the project to fruition in the future.
Ruston is looking into a paved trail expansion to Alexandria, Louisiana, Blann said.
A health enthusiast and avid biker, Blann said he has ridden trails all over the country, including several 100-mile rides and he has seen firsthand the benefits such an amenity has on local communities.
He said recreational opportunities are in the top three criteria that people consider when relocating.
“It’s economic development, it’s health, it’s tourism, it’s a sense of place, it’s jobs, it’s the 21st century and that’s where things are today,” Blann said. “I’ve ridden a lot of trails and I’ve spent the night and I’ve spent money in other places.”
EWB member George Calloway agreed, saying, “It is the 21st century and the idea is that we want to be part of what’s moving forward.”
The city is working to extend the walking trail that encircles the Lions Club Municipal Golf Course, the Union County Fairgrounds and the El Dorado School District soccer fields.
The extension will run eastward toward U.S. 167 and southward to Champagnolle Road, adding another 2.5 miles to the existing 2.25-mile trail.
Blann said Union County officials have discussed adding a walking trail to the El Dorado-Union County Recreation Complex to complement the extension.
The complex is across U.S. 167 from planned route for the eastward extension of the Lions Club trail.
EWB Treasurer Alison Abson said the $5,000 will come from the community development budget of the El Dorado Works tax.
Five percent of the community development budget is earmarked for parks and playgrounds, including sports, recreational and outdoor venues or projects.
Tia Lyons may be contacted at 870-862-6611 or by email at [email protected].