City Council Supports C&G Rails to Trails



A couple walks along the C&G Railway somewhere close to Kilmichael, Miss.

The Greenwood City Council recently voted their unanimous support of the C&G Rails to Trails project, a proposed 90-mile walking, biking, and horse trail from Greenwood to West Point, Miss.

Jackson attorney Wilson Carroll is the projects biggest supporter and he has been working tirelessly to sell the idea to jurisdictions affected by the conversion proposal.

For the recreational district to become a functioning entity, C&G must decide that continued ownership of the rail line cannot be continued. Carroll has said it would take $35 million to $55 million to restore the line to operable condition.

He told the council previously that the railroad will likely decide to abandon the line within the next 12 to 18 months. Once notice of abandonment is made, the recreational district would have 45 days to move forward with an offer to acquire the rail line.

The recreational district would be able to levy 0.25-mill tax for upkeep and maintenance of the trail. Carroll said a 0.25-mill increase on a $100,000 home amounts to $2.50.

Once local funds are acquired, the district would qualify for a 4-to-1 federal match for the trail, he said. Carroll said the bike trail is completely compatible with the city's plans for a connector road linking Mississippi 7 with downtown.

Greenwood Mayor Sheriel Perkins said the city's connector road plans can be upgraded to include the addition of the bike and walking trail without much difficulty.

I recently weighed in on the matter and was unknowingly published in the Greenwood Commonwealth. Here is what I said in response to the proposal when it was first being proposed almost a month ago:

The conversion of the C&G Railway to a pedestrian and bike path under the Rails to Trails program would be a great opportunity for the State of Mississippi, and especially for the citizens of Greenwood. One of the things that Greenwood lacks most are creative opportunities for public recreation. And since Mississippi was once again honored with the "2007 Fattest State in the Country" award by the Trust for America's Health, it is clear that we could all use a few new recreational opportunities. In addition, a bike path running from West Point to Greenwood would undoubtedly bring in cycling tourists, generating tourism taxes for the city and small business opportunities for bicycle retail and repair shops. In short, this is definitely a project that the City should wholeheartedly support. Not only would it benefit the city's coffers, it would also benefit the health and wellness of the entire State of Mississippi.

For more information on the proposed C&G bike, horse and walking trails, visit www.cgrailtrail.com.

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