Grand Forks will likely submit an application for grant funding to make future improvements to the Greenway.
If approved the grant could help fund nearly $7 million dollars in upgrades south of DeMers Avenue. Potential project plans include: an entry monument…a playground area…a sloped lawn aphitheater… concrete terracing for river access…covered shelters/benches…and other amenities.
One issue raised at a recent council meeting was the concern about placing items on the “wet” side of the dike. Water Works Director Melanie Parvey says it’s part of the ongoing discussions. “We included components of the original design where everything we build is flood proof…removeable…and easy to cleanup.”
The grant requires a one to one match. That means the city would be on the hook for half the cost. City Administrator Todd Feland says the likely funding source would be the Flood Protection Capital Fund. Feland says although there’s a $9 million dollar balance in the account it’s used for updating flood stations…floodwall maintenance…overlaying trails…and perhaps the future renovation of Riverside Pool. “We’ve built up a cash balance and we did that because we know the first 25 years we will have less capital maintenance and in the next 25 years there will be more capital maintenance.”
The deadline to submit the pre-application is April 30th. If approved a more in-depth application would be submitted to the National Park System.
Construction would not begin until 2026 — or later.
