Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
The City of Palouse has received one bid so far for the river trail project on donated land along the North Fork of Palouse River through downtown. The city received a $26,530 grant from the county's .09 tax program in the spring for the trail project.
“The terrain on that side, the grade, it's got it's challenges. It's just a steep grade right there,” said Michael Echanove, Palouse mayor.
Under the rules of the .09 grants, the city matches up to 25 percent. The total for Palouse is not yet determined due to the factor of donated land, which will be counted as part of the match.
No deadline has been set for bids, as it is not a formal bid process.
City Administrator Kyle Dixon has sought interest from five area contractors, and expects a second bid to come in in September. At that point, he will present the bids to the city council for consideration.
The first that arrived is from Palouse Hills Excavators in Garfield.
Once a decision is made, the trail part of the project could be finished this fall.
“This is something that could be done before winter,” said Dixon.
Earlier this year, the Chris Boyd family of Palouse donated to the city an eighth-mile long, 50 to 70-foot wide strip from the riverbank up the hill to Shady Lane – the dirt path featured in the hay ride part of Haunted Palouse each October.
The strip begins at the South River Road bridge at the east end of Main Street, and ends at the footbridge, which spans the river across from the Post Office.
The city's plans are to make a 4 to 6 foot wide walking trail along the bank, along with a possible picnic area.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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