Local government is no longer playing a leading role in converting nearly 25 miles of former rail line in Peoria and Fulton counties into a hiking and biking trail. But supporters of the Hanna City Trail project aren't throwing in the towel just yet.
Former Hanna City Mayor Fred Winterroth and others convened a meeting at the Hanna City Park District's gymnasium Monday night to discuss the possibility of privately funding the land acquisition and trail conversion.
This comes after the village of Hanna City opted not to purchase the trail as the community butted up against a March 30 deadline with incomplete information, an ongoing dispute with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources over a grant amount reduced following an appraisal of the property, and concerns from partners Peoria County and Farmington about taking on property liability.
"If this is owned by a nonprofit, we might be willing to entertain helping in some way, but in no way shape or form does Peoria County want to own the trail, or have the liability of the trail," said Peoria County Board member Sharon Williams. "I just think that'd be too much liability for taxpayers."
Fulton County and Bellevue had previously withdrawn financial support of the project.
Winterroth said he and a couple other advocates have established a 501(c)3 as a vehicle to pull off the project privately.
"They would be the actual property owners of the line of the rail corridor. And then we would have to raise money to do the purchase and to do the maintenance over the next several years," he said. "So that's kind of where we are at this point. No decisions have been made. We're exploring all of our possibilities."
The 24.7 mile stretch of former rail line is currently in railbanking status, which gives the Union Pacific Railroad an option to reestablish rail lines along that corridor. The railroad has until May 29 to ask the Surface Transportation Board to extend that status or to abandon the line.
An abandoned line could be sold off, but Union Pacific would be obligated to deal with the more than 40 private property owners whose land abuts the former rail corridor, some of whom may have rights to reclaim land if it's no longer in active rail status. Winterroth said the company is still amenable to keeping the corridor in railbanking status and selling it off to a single entity for a trail conversion, but the clock is running out.
The Union Pacific Railroad estimates the property stretching from east of Bellevue to west of Middlegrove is worth around $2.3 million. A locally-commissioned appraisal valued the property at $2 million.
Brent Baker of Bike Peoria said he's noted interest in the project from as far away as McLean and Bureau counties on a recent survey. He said there are people who indicated they are willing to commit to donating money and volunteer hours towards the trail project.
Those who spoke at Monday's meeting were largely negative about the trail project. That included Bellevue mayor Dean Merriman.
"We will not participate. That is from the board, and there is probably I'm gonna guess a million dollars worth of repairs that need done to the trusses. That's a lot of money," he said. "And just a financial responsibility point of view, I don't think it's an expense that anybody needs to take on at this point in time."
Many who live nearby the corridor also complained about trespassing, property damage, and noise issues stemming from the property, particularly from people riding four-wheelers.
Winterroth said the proponents didn't currently have a plan, but after the meeting, he noted that repairing the corridor and bringing about more regular bicycle and walking usage should cut down on some of the illegal activities and other issues.
The Union Pacific railroad this week delivered barriers to set up along the Bellevue portion of the corridor to cut down on some of the motor vehicle traffic.
Eric Miller, executive director of the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, said the Hanna City Trail could be an economic boon for rural Peoria and Fulton counties - and the federal infrastructure bill makes this moment the best chance to make it happen.
"Think about this in terms of regional connectivity, and being able to get to places where you want to go without using a vehicle," Miller said. "And we all understand that pedestrian safety is an issue now. We hear and hear about people walking on the sides of the roads, and it becomes dangerous. This at least gives them an opportunity to get off the road."
Miller said the TCRPC would like to explore connecting the Hanna City Trail to existing trail systems in Peoria and at Wildlife Prairie Park.
But Winterroth acknowledges there's also a strong likelihood the Hanna City Trail concept first proposed more than 20 years ago could amount to nothing.
"We wanted to hear from the public whether or not we should proceed, and put in the effort to start raising funds to try to purchase this from the Union Pacific, or if this is something we just drop. An opportunity we lose forever," Winterroth said.
If nothing happens by the end of this month, it's likely any further conversations would become a moot point, he said.
