The City of Danville is considering two projects that Mayor Scott Eisenhauer says should help boost local tourism. A Danville City Council committee will consider Tuesday evening whether to apply for up $3-million dollars in state funds to enhance bicycle and pedestrian traffic along portions of Denmark and Old Ottawa Roads. Mayor Eisenhauer notes.
‘’We have to do some work there anyway with a lift station and some sewer work. But why don’t we also take advantage of this opportunity to expand the recreational offerings in our community a little bit as well by putting in a pedestrian path, a shared-use path – then bicyclists will also be able to use it, fishermen will be able to use it? And so now we’re going to be opening up the lake, and the lake area, to people who before never had that opportunity,’’ said the Mayor during an interview with VermilionCountyFirst.com News.
The City Council’s Public Works Committee will consider whether to recommend to the full council that it apply for an Illinois Trail Enhancement Program grant. Also Tuesday, the committee will vote on whether the City should support the rail-banking of CSX Railroad right-of-way from the Vermilion County Fairgrounds to Ellsworth Park.
Mayor Eisenhauer says the rail-banking could eventually lead to getting people using the Urbana to Danville Rail Trail into the city…instead of just stopping at Kickapoo State Park…
’’so that we can then bring them into Danville. We can get them out on our shared-use paths. We can get ‘em to our destinations, and we can get them to eat in our community – shop in our community – before they head back to Urbana.’’
The Public Works Committee of the Danville City Council meets at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 14th, at the Robert E. Jones Municipal Building at 17 West Main Street.
[The photo is of the area over the Dallas Bowman Bridge where Denmark Road passes over Lake Vermilion.]
