Owasco River Multi-Modal Corridor Trail Plan Project Moves Forward

In mid-October, the Auburn City Council unanimously approved a resolution to hire CHA, Inc., of Syracuse, to complete the scoping and design phases of the Owasco River Multi-Modal Corridor Trail Plan Project for a lump sum of $348,500. The project, although still in the design stage, could result in a 5.5- to 6-mile recreational trail along the Owasco River from Wadsworth Park to Emerson Park, said Christina Selvek, director of capital projects and grants.

The city has a grant of $590,000 from the U.S. Federal Highway Administration to use for the scoping and design stages of the trail project. The $348,500 is part of this grant, Selvek said. EDR Companies, of Syracuse, will be the sub-consultant for the design phase, according to the resolution.

Selvek explained that the design stage of the project will involve lots of public participation and will focus first on the home owners, business owners and the Auburn Enlarged City School District - all areas of property that are adjacent to the river. Selvek said the goal of the project is to get the trail as close to the water as possible. Selvek said CHA, Inc. consultants will meet in November with the home owners, business owners and school district and pitch the project to them. “If they are adamant they don’t want this in their neighborhood, we need to know that right away,” Selvek said.

The city is under a three-year time frame to complete the design stage of the trail project, Selvek said. After the three years is up, the city can move to the construction phase. Selvek said it’s hard to determine now what the cost and time frame will be for the construction phase without having consulted the community.

—Citizen Staff Kelly Voll