FW: Mallard Creek Greenway paving - Time's running out

[John Cock]

 

 

John Cock | Vice President, Planning/Southeast Region

Alta Planning + Design, Inc.
227 W. 4^th Street

Charlotte, NC 28202

phone: 704.255.6200 (o); 704-968-5053 (m)
www.altaplanning.com
Creating active, healthy communities

  

Check out our blog: Celebrating 20 years of creating active, healthy communities!  http://blog.altaplanning.com/

 

 

From: University City Partners [mailto:dheater=universitycit...@cmail20.com] On Behalf Of University City Partners
Sent: Friday, June 9, 2017 5:17 PM
To: john...@altaplanning.com
Subject: Mallard Creek Greenway paving - Time's running out

 

County Board needs to hear by Monday if you want greenway paving funded.

Commissioners hear plea to pave greenway There's still time to ask our County Board to recommit to funding the paving of Mallard Creek Greenway's gravel stretch through University Research Park. The board, which held its budget hearing on Monday, will finalize the operating and capital-improvement budgets on June 12-13 before a final vote June 20. Here's what the board heard Monday and how to share YOUR thoughts, too.   Budget background   The Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners is nearing approval of the county operating budget for fiscal year 2018, which starts July 1, and a five-year Capital Improvement Plan for fiscal years 2019-2023. The Park and Recreation portion of the capital improvements plan provides $277 million through 2023, including about $119 million for a professional soccer stadium.   No longer in the plan is more than $70 million to finally complete 12 park and greenway projects whose funding was approved by voters in 2008 - including the Mallard Creek Greenway paving. Previous county plans have called for allocating $7 million-$8 million a year to finish those projects, whose total cost is about $72 million.   Money to complete 9-year-old project list   At Monday's budget hearing, park and greenway advocates joined University City Partners in urging commissioners to recommit to funding those 12 projects.   "We hear almost daily about the benefits of greenways," University City Partners Planning Director Tobe Holmes told the board, noting that a 2015 survey found that two-thirds of Mecklenburg residents rank greenways as very important.   Darlene Heater, executive director of University City Partners, wrote board members about the extensive efforts put forth by UCP over the past three years to secure easements that will allow the county to pave the gravel stretch of Mallard Creek Greenway - a missing link for greenway users on wheeled vehicles ranging from bikes to wheelchairs.   "I respectfully implore you to recommit to greenway funding and dedicate a budget line for future greenways," Heater said.   Ed Barnhart, president of the newly launched Greenways for Mecklenburg foundation, noted that greenways offer alternative transportation corridors as well as free and nearby opportunities for fitness and wellness.   Greenways are the No. 1 requested park amenity in Charlotte, he said. "Your constituents want greenways."   How you can show support for Mallard Creek Greenway Make your voice heard by asking commissioners to vote FOR the proposed $7 million-dollar annual budget line item that includes funding for Mallard Creek Greenway. Email or call each County Board member by Monday, June 12, about the importance of restoring this money to the county budget. If possible, include personal stories about how you use the greenway and how paving this last segment will help users like you.   Sincerely, Darlene Heater, Executive Director University City Partners

MECKLENBURG BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Contact information   Ella B. Scarborough (Chair, At Large) 980-314-2879 Ella.Sca...@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov   Pat Cotham, (At Large) 704-336-2472 Patrici...@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov   Trevor Fuller (At Large) 704-336-2472 Trevor...@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov   Jim Puckett (Vice-chair, District 1) 980-314-2876 jim.p...@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov   Vilma Leake (District 2) 704-336-2472 Vilma...@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov   George Dunlap (District 3) 704-336-2472 george...@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov   Dumont Clarke (District 4) 704-996-6126 Dumont...@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov   Matthew Ridenhour (District 5) 704-336-2472 Matthew....@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov   Bill James (District 6) 704-336-2472 wja...@carolina.rr.com

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