Greenway Project Suspended,
But Existing Trails Still Open
By LIBBY CUDMORE • for AllOTSEGO.COM
ONEONTA – For now, at least, plans to expand the Susquehanna Greenway are dead.
“The city would have to come up with $40,000 just to do a redesign,” said Council member Melissa Nicosia, Second Ward, who brought the resolution to suspend the project from the Community Development Committee. “We would have to start the work by September and finish in January. It’s just not in the best interest of the city.”
The resolution, which passed unanimously at tonight’s Common Council meeting, suspended the proposed plan to expand the Greenway in both directions for improved access and trails from South Main Street. “We’ve had flooding since we originally designed the project,” said Nicosia. “The plans we had no longer work. And with the timeline, it’s just not feasible.”
$95,000 of the $325,248 of the NYS DOT grant had been spent on planning, but that will not have to be reimbursed to the DOT.
The existing trails will not be affected and will remain in use, and the City can apply for new grants down the line. “This is a great thing and we all want to make it happen,” said Council Member Russ Southard, Sixth Ward.
“It’s disappointing,” said Council Member John Rafter, Eighth Ward. “But we’re leaving the door open. This is a good thing we have here.”