A public hearing will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, March 16, on a proposed resolution to submit a third application for a Michigan grant to build a paved recreation trail on what is now the gravel 
interurban in the City of Wayland.
Grant applications failed twice before, but City Manager Mike Selden said it’s worth it to spend the $1,000 to apply because the rewards would be great.
City Councilwoman Tracy Bivins, who has opposed the trail from the get-go, asked, “How much more money are we going to put to this trail to nowhere?”
“If we don’t move forward with this, we will miss out on the opportunity with a minimal cost,” Selden answered. “Based on information we’ve received since the last time we didn’t get it (grant approval), we feel we have significantly strengthened our request.”
Time is of the essence because the deadline for application is April 1.
Councilwoman Jennifer Antel, an unabashed supporter of the project, said there are about 20 groups in the Grand Rapids area that have expressed support to Gov. Rick Snyder.
“There are a lot of people in support,” she said. “It would be crazy for us not to re-apply.”
She added that one huge reason she supports a non-motorized trail from Dahlia Street to 133rd Avenue is that very well could lead to increased visitors to the downtown area.
Bivins and Tim Rose, who have opposed the recreational trail throughout discussions, cast two dissenting votes in the 5-2 verdict. They both said if Leighton Township to the north and Wayland Township to the south don’t have a paved trail as well, the project’s worth is overstated.
The grants would help fund construction of a paved recreational trail on the old interurban that runs north and south through town.
The cost of the project to pave the gravel road along the railroad bed and turn it into a trail has been estimated at $723,000. The city would be required to provide a $125,000 local match, which City Manager Mike Selden said the Downtown Development Authority already has set aside.
Bivins has opposed the project because of fears it will invite trespassers and unwanted visitors for people who live along the proposed trail. Supporters have suggested that trespassing and vandalism will decrease because of the trail, which is geared to family-friendly activities such as walking and bicycling.
