The Berrien County Board of Commissioners will soon be moving forward on a trail project along M-63 near the Whirlpool headquarters.
Berrien County Community Development Director Dan Fette told commissioners Thursday this trail along M-63 is intended to connect various Harbor Shores trails and Whirlpool’s Lakeview Trail with other trail systems along the river in Benton Harbor. The proposed new trail would run along M-63 between Monte Road to Higman Park Drive.
Fette said the county has been slowly accumulating grant funds to get started.
“The construction of this trail is going to be $2.6 million,” Fette said. “We added about 10% contingency on that, so we have a total cost of almost $2.9 million. We have received, tentatively, a commitment of $2.1 million from the TAP grant program. We have received a commitment of $300,000 from Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund. And we have received a $100,000 commitment from the Michigan Trails Fund, the non-profit entity.”
The rest of the money comes from the Whirlpool Foundation and donors and is being held by Cornerstone Alliance.
Fette said with the funds in place, the project can move ahead, and commissioners will soon be asked to approve resolutions making that happen. One will certify the funds are in place, and the other will be a maintenance agreement with Harbor Shores. Harbor Shores and Whirlpool will also have to grant easements to the county for some sections of trail that will go on their property.
The resolutions could come next week.
