CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATION: 01-369 AGENDA: JULY 9, 2001 SUBJECT: IDOT GRANT RECEIPT FOR WALNUT CREEK AND WATERWORKS TRAILS' CONSTRUCTION TYPE: RESOLUTION ORDINANCE RECEIVE/FILE SUBMITTED BY: DONALD M. TRIPP PARK AND RECREATION DIRECTOR

ITEM ____ OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER CITY OF DES MOINES, IOWA SYNOPSIS - Approve the receipt of a Federal Surface Transportation Program (STP) Transportation Enhancement (TE) Grant from the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) in the amount of $773,000 for construction of Phase III of the Walnut Creek Trail System in Des Moines. FISCAL IMPACT - Total estimated cost of the trail construction project is $1,190,000, with $773,000 from the IDOT Grant, $160,000 from an Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Recreation Enhancement and Protection (REAP) Grant, and $257,000 from the City's Capital Improvement Program (CIP). RECOMMENDATION - Approval. BACKGROUND - Walnut Creek Trail is one of the top priority trail projects in the City of Des Moines. This trail project warrants special attention because it has been designated as part of the American Discovery Trail (ADT), a national trail system which connects the east and west coasts of the United States directly through the heart of Des Moines. This trail directly connects Des Moines' trail system with the Clive Greenbelt/Windsor Heights Trail, and West Des Moines' Jordan Creek Trail. When completed, the Walnut Creek Trail will be a direct link to downtown Des Moines, for not only the western neighborhoods, but its bordering cities as well. Phase III of the Walnut Creek Trail begins at the southern most tip of the North Valley Drive Levee Trail and proceeds in a northeasterly direction connecting with the Bill Riley Trail on the north side of Walnut Creek.