High Springs-Newberry Rail Trail in Trouble
A MAJOR setback for the High Springs-Newberry Rail Trail. Long story very short, negotiations broke down over the terms to the final contract.
This doesn't mean it is over. A new agreement can be entered into if the county approaches CSX with the right terms that CSX can agree to, but the county commission needs to know that a large group of people want this trail. Urgency and a united determination to purchase the trail has been missing from the commission over this process. The staff recommendation at this time is to walk away until they receive different direction from the commission.
Please send your email (bocc@alachuacounty.us) in support of the High Springs-Newberry Rail Trail. Please note the huge economic benefits of trails and Trail Towns (High Springs sees the potential of a trailhead in their downtown and really wants this trail), the recreation benefits (recreational opportunities are more lacking on the west end of the county), and the transportation benefits (this will be a short-distance trip generator in High Springs and along the trail when inevitable subdivisions are built).
Also, please attend the BOCC meeting on Tuesday, if you can. A crowded room will help a lot. The meeting begins at 9:00am and the item is very early on the agenda. I would be there no later than 9:30am. Click the link for the agenda (item#2) with back up items.