Politics & Government
Private Effort Underway to Fund Bike Trails
Ward 4 Alderman Diane Teeling and Yorkville Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Lynn Dubajic suggested a few fundraisers at Thursday's Park Board meeting.
Yorkville might find a way to pay for bike trails yet.
Efforts are underway to privately raise the city’s 20 percent match for state grants to build trails along portions of routes 34, 47 and 71. The first goal is to raise about $116,000 to cover the 2.5-mile section of Route 47 .
The city’s Park Board gave a green light to Ward 4 Alderman Diane Teeling and Executive Director Lynn Dubajic, who detailed their ideas Thursday night.
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Teeling presented the idea, with support from mayor-elect Gary Golinski, in light of the $1 million that failed last week. Yorkville residents voted 1,517 to 1,199 against allowing the City Council to issue bonds to cover the city’s grant match, as well as interest for the bonds themselves.
Golinski said the project might be a good way to bring the community together.
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“A lot of people who voted no on the referendum, it’s not that they didn’t want bike trails,” Golinski said “They didn’t want to pay for them.”
State officials will asked city officials in September or October if they want a separate bike trail added alongside all portions of the state routes set to be rebuilt, City Administrator Bart Olson said. The city then would be required to pay its portion in several smaller amounts as the projects are completed.
If the city declines, the matching state dollars will no longer be available.
“I really am in favor of bike trails,” Teeling said. “And I’d hate to see this funding go.”
Fundraising suggestions include offering sponsorships for foot-long lengths of the first portion of trail and hosting a biking event.
“If you make it in smaller chunks, it’s easier for people to be comfortable with,” Dubajic said.
They would be to offer sponsorships for each of the 13,200 feet of trail for $10 each. Each sponsor would receive a certificate, possibly detailing the latitude and longitude of the portion of the trail sponsored.
Park Board member Amy Cesich volunteered to help Teeling and Dubajic with the fundraising. The trio also plan to seek support from the city’s Green Committee and the .
Olson said he would consult with other city staff about the best way for the city to handle the money. The donations likely would not be tax-deductible.
