Columbia Prop. 1 to pay for trails and greenways

A Columbia Tribune story outlines the purpose of Columbia's Proposition 1. City officials say that the Prop. 1 funds will complement, not replace, $25 million the city recently received as part of the federal "Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program":

City officials say money from a $25 million federal transportation pilot program could be used to help pay for some parks and trail projects included in Proposition 1, part of the tax package voters will see Nov. 8.

Federal transportation officials announced in July that Columbia and three other communities each will receive $25 million over five years to build pedestrian and bicycle transportation networks that would include construction of trails, pedways and sidewalks. Since then, little information about the program has flowed to city offices, and there are no specific plans for the money.

Proposition 1 asks voters to extend for five years an eighth-cent sales tax for parks. If it’s approved, the tax is expected to raise about $12 million for acquisition of land for parks and improvements to existing parks, among other things.