Hillsboro gets grant to add to walking trail
Staff writer
A second walking and biking trail in Hillsboro will be built with a grant from the state.
Kansas Department of Transportation this week announced that it has awarded $525,100 to Hillsboro as part of a transportation alternatives grant program.
Hillsboro built its existing concrete hiking and biking trail with an 80% grant from the same program.
The new grant will pay 80% of the cost of the trail extension.
Completed in 2021, the original trail leads from Main St. to Hillsboro Community Hospital.
The path follows portions of an old railbed, meaning less legal work and manpower was needed to build it.
The new extension will lead from Main St. north to 3rd. St., around to Ash St. and Orchard Dr., and end at Sonic, Mayor Lou Thurston said.
“The good news is that will take it right past the new duplexes Mennonite Housing is putting in,” Thurston said.
Work on the housing development is expected to begin late this year.
It will include 12 duplexes to be built south of Dollar General using money from a Kansas Housing Resources Corporation tax credit award.
The housing corporation received $2 million in tax credits toward the $9.2 million project.
The duplexes are to be two-and three-bedroom units, each with a garage. All appliances are to be included.
The development is to include a covered patio, a playground, and a basketball court