October 31, 2022 |
Saratoga has received funding for the first phase of a proposed walkway
improvement project.
One of the goals of Saratoga’s 2016 town-wide, comprehensive plan was to improve trails and walkways. Seeing that nothing was getting done about it, Planning and Zoning Commission member McCall Burau took matters into her own hands. Burau said the Wyoming Department of Transportation had funds available to upgrade paths and make them compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. She worked to win one for Saratoga.
Pictured above: File photo of Saratoga Town Hall/Police Department. Photo by Cali O’Hare/Bigfoot 99.
Not being familiar with writing grant applications, Burau sought help from WYDOT and others experienced with the process. Planning started in January, with the final application due seven months later. Burau said she recently found the grant had been approved.
Burau asked for a $200,000 grant from the Department of Transportation, which the town was required to match 10%. This totaled $19,020. She said the council was very supportive of her plan.
Burau’s initial grant application was for building a sidewalk from the grocery store to town. She said WYDOT suggested she change the application to focus on a larger plan instead of one specific construction project.
The town must use the grant money to hire a consultant to create an ADA compliant plan for new trails and sidewalks. With few returning councilmembers in November, there will be new leadership. Burau said she is hopeful the next council will move forward with the plan before the grant expires next June. Burau said everyone can benefit from the new sidewalks.
With the $200,000 grant approved, the town can begin the first phase of the project, planning. Phase 2 will address the hurdles that come from bringing that plan into reality. The last step will be the actual construction. Burau said the project could take three to five years to complete.
The town is much more likely to receive future grants with a master plan already worked out.
