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Vote: 5-0 <br /> <br />Yeas: (5) Crabtree, Dallas, Haskell, Roop, Teague. <br /> <br />Nays: (0) None. <br /> <br />TUESDAY, MAY 25, 1999 <br /> <br /> Council next took up further discussion of the City budget for FY 99-00. City Manager Earl B. <br />Reynolds, Jr. stated that there was some good news to be announced, then introduced Mr. Chris Whitlow, <br />Development Specialist with the Community Development Department. Mr. Whitlow then announced <br />that the City had received tentative approval of its Phase III application for Federal TEA-21 funding,. to be <br />used for the City's Uptown Rail Trail Project. Mr. Whitlow then recalled for Council the total 'budget <br />figure of $643,750 for the project, noting that Phase I approval had provided $93,750, Phase II had <br />provided $350,000, and now Phase HI would completely fund the project with an additional $200,000. <br />He added that the City's in-kind match on the project would consist of engineering work, utility <br />relocation, storm drainage work and other such contributions. Mr. Whitlow then reviewed the scope and <br />details of the Project for Council and the public. Elements mentioned included realignment of Liberty <br />Street, creation of the rail trail along the northern boundary of the City's Enterprise Zone, and <br />construction of a visitor's center and interpretive kiosks. Mr. Whitlow stated that the project would <br />showcase the natural vegetation and trees of the area, creating a park-like setting that would benefit from <br />the assistance of the XFtrginia Museum of Natural History and the Gateway Streetscape organization. He <br />added that the rail trail could encourage the development of a bike trail, cafes and restaurants along its <br />path, and the redevelopment of buildings and properties in the Uptown area. Mr. Whitlow then reviewed <br />the project schedule, stating that projects dependent upon funding from this source often developed <br />slowly. He stated that a full environmental Phase I survey had been completed, that the rail road property <br />involved should be acquired by August of this year, and that Virginia Department of Transportation fight- <br />of-way approval would follow soon thereafter. Mr. Whitlow concluded by stating that there would be <br />numerous community meetings and the involvement of the school system in the development of the <br /> <br /> <br />