City Council this week adopted a resolution requesting funds from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to extend the Riverwalk Trail in two areas. One extension would be from the northern end of the Robertson Bridge to Riverside Drive in front of the Danville Stadium Cinemas 12 property.
The second extension would from the future Riverfront Park at the corner of Main Street and Memorial Drive to Union Street Bridge Road via the canal in front of the White Mill.
City Council voted on the resolution at is meeting Tuesday night.
Combined, the extensions are estimated to cost up to $800,000. The City will find out in June if VDOT will award any money and if so how much. The City would be required to provide a minimum of 20 percent of the total cost for planning and design, right of way and construction.
If funded, construction likely would start on the Robertson Bridge extension in 2021, with construction beginning on the Riverfront Park extension no earlier than 2022. A public information meeting for each project is scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Pepsi Building at 629 Craghead St. Parks & Recreation and Public Works staff will be present.
The Riverwalk Trail currently is 11.5 miles in length, with multiple trailheads and access points. In addition to serving as a pedestrian and biking pathway, the Riverwalk Trail and adjoining mountain bike trail system host a myriad of trail events to include bike races, trail runs, charity walks, marathons, canine events and environmental education activities as well as park special events.
City Council also voted Tuesday night on a series of resolutions requesting VDOT to allocate $2.3 million for various street improvement projects.
VDOT has requested cities and counties submit applications for funding. VDOT recently changed the program to a biennial application cycle meaning that localities will apply for two application cycles every two years starting this year.
The projects identified by City staff for the first year of the two-year cycle are as follows:
- Street and right of way improvements on South Union Street between Main and Patton streets.
- Street and right of way improvements in the 600 block of Main Street between Ridge and Floyd streets.
- Concrete base removal and roadway reconstruction on Riverside Drive eastbound from approximately 400 feet west of Audubon Drive to Arnett Boulevard.
The projects identified for the second year of the two-year cycle are as follows:
- Street and right of way improvements on Wilson Street from Bridge to Lynn streets.
- General street improvements on Riverside Drive and Audubon Drive.
- Concrete base removal and roadway reconstruction on Riverside Drive eastbound and westbound lanes from Arnett Boulevard to Locust Lane.
The VDOT funds must be matched by local funding.
In other matters Tuesday night, City Council voted to:
- vacate a public alley between two parcels at Chambers and Holbrook streets as requested by Danville Doctor’s Building Partnership.
- accept a federal grant to aid food service operations at W.W. Moore Jr. Detention Home. It is projected the City will receive $61,219. The amount of funds received may be more or less depending on changes in the daily population.
- accept a federal grant in the amount of $86,999 to provide for the electronic monitoring and outreach detention programs and contracted pro-social skills group at W.W. Moore Jr. Detention Home. The grant requires the City to contribute $39,830 for a total appropriation of $126,829.
- accept a $25,979 grant from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program to enhance the tactical response capabilities of the Police Department.
- approve state and local funding for the Comprehensive Services Act program in Danville. The program serves at-risk children and families.
Also in the business session, Mayor John Gilstrap presented a certificate of recognition to Joyce Wilburn for her work in promoting the city through developing and leading historical walking tours and publishing stories in Evince Magazine about people who make a difference in the community.
Council's meeting included a business session followed by a work session. In work sessions, Council reviews non-routine matters that may be voted upon in future business meetings.
During the work session, City Council reviewed monthly financial statements and scheduled a vote for its next business meeting on the lease for a fixed base operator for the Danville Regional Airport. The next business session will be held on Thursday, Nov. 9.
City Council meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month; however, its next meeting will be held on Nov. 9 because Tuesday, Nov. 7, is an election night.