TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: Peter D. Lear, CPA, CGMA, Interim City Manager
TITLE: Update on the status of trail-related projects throughout Sarasota County
Recommended Action
None
Background Information
The Sarasota County Trails Master Plan provides a framework for implementing a comprehensive trail system for use by all residents and visitors of Sarasota County. Staff is updating the master plan which will inventory and assess the existing trail system, identify opportunities for greenway and blue way corridors and update trail design standards to reflect the growing need of our residents and visitors. The Trails Master Plan update is expected to be completed by the end of December 2017.
RELEVANT PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
1. December 12, 2006 - The Board approved the Sarasota County Trails Master Plan.
2. April 1, 2015 - The Board accepted the final Legacy Trail Extension Feasibility Study and directed the County Administrator to obtain real estate appraisals for the Legacy Trail Extension area.
3. February 15, 2017 - The Board authorized the County Administrator to continue to negotiate with the Trust for Public Land (TPL) for the acquisition of the necessary rail corridor for the Legacy Trail North Extensions and to pursue funding options, including a public referendum, for the acquisition and improvements related to the project.
4. March 29, 2017 - The Board allocated $8.6M to the Legacy Trail North Extension project.
OUTREACH:
Public meetings were held May 11-13, 2017. Future public meetings are scheduled for August/September 2017. An online survey form is currently available.
ANALYSIS/NEXT STEPS:
The Legacy Trail North Extension (Attachment #1)
On April 1, 2015, the Commission adopted the Feasibility Study for the Legacy Trail North Extension, which extends the Trail from its current terminus at Culverhouse Nature Park 7.5-miles north to Payne Park within the downtown City of Sarasota. Staff have been working in co...
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