The city will spend nearly $2 million on the Luverne Loop hiking and biking path in the next five years.
That’s according to discussion at the June 21 meeting to review the five-year capital improvement plan.
Work on Phase 1 of the Luverne Loop bike and hiking path in 2016 is estimated to cost $692,378.
That includes $100,000 for Creamery Pond site preparation, $20,000 for signs to direct people to the trail, $447,378 for work on the trail itself and $65,000 for a trailhead shelter (including electrical wiring).
The location of a trailhead shelter has not been determined, but there has been some discussion about locating it near Redbird Field in order to take advantage of the new parking lot there and the Blue Mound Avenue connection to the existing bike path.
“A lot of work has gone into the trail, and I think it’s a very worthwhile investment, but it takes a lot of money,” Call said at Tuesday’s meeting.
Some of the 2016 trail costs will be offset by a $150,000 local trail connection grant.
In 2017 a $400,000 state grant is expected to offset trail costs for Phase II work, which is estimated to cost $775,000.
Parking at the Creamery Pond for $60,000, wayfinding signs for $20,000 and trail construction at $695,000 are included in the 2017 estimates.
•Loop expenses for 2018 are estimated at $125,000. This includes $40,000 for sidewalks and $25,000 for a fishing pier at the Creamery Pond, $20,000 for wayfinding signs and $40,000 for trailhead parking, possibly near Redbird Field.
A $10,000 DNR grant is expected to offset the costs of the fishing pier in 2018.
•Loop expenses in 2019 are estimated at $225,000. This includes $50,000 for a Creamery Pond shelter, $60,000 for playground equipment along the trail, $25,000 for wayfinding signs and $90,000 for a trailhead sidewalk, possibly at Redbird Field.
•Loop expenses in 2020 are estimated at $190,000. This includes $65,000 for Creamery Pond landscaping (possibly a berm), $25,000 for wayfinding signs and $100,000 for a restroom at the trailhead near Redbird Field.
A Luverne Loop Capital Project Fund has been set up to pay for capital costs associated with the trail.
At the June 21 capital budget meeting Call reminded council members that a five-year plan is just — a plan. Some line items may “float” from one year to the next, while others may be added or deleted from the plan.