Mayor Keller Vetoes the Removal of Rail Trail Funding
After some City Councilors tried to redirect half a million dollars from the Rail Trail to another project, community members have spoken out to support the Rail Trail and push for funding to be reinstated. Mayor Keller is working with the community and is exercising his line-item veto to restore funding for the Rail Trail. The Rail Trail will connect neighborhoods, provide safe pedestrian and bike friendly routes, tell the story of us through its design, and is already under construction at the Central crossing and in the Sawmill district.
“I do not support taking funding away from a project already under construction,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “I stand with our community and am exercising my line-item veto authority to keep Rail Trail progress on track. We will continue to work with the City Council to secure funding for both the Rail Trail and the Indoor Sports Complex, projects I have championed from day one.”
Community members from all walks of life have reached out to the City to support the Rail Trail. The City is hosting a “Rally for the Rail Trail” on Sunday, February 23 at 11:30 a.m. at the Sawmill site of the project, Bellamah Ave. NW near 19th., to recognize the community members who advocated for the project and share information about the Rail Trail with the public.
In his veto message, Mayor Keller reiterated his support of the Indoor Sports Complex, a project he has personally advocated for for years. The Mayor has a capital outlay request to the State Legislature and also highlighted the possibility of councilors using their neighborhood set asides to fund the project.