SANFORD — A 1.3 mile project that would begin at William Oscar Emery Drive, cross Winter Street onto Riverside Avenue and wind up at the end of Pioneer Avenue would go a long way to help link Sanford’s extensive trail system, proponents say.

Armed with an invitation to apply, Sanford is submitting an application to the state’s Community Development Block Grant program, looking for $300,000. If the grant is approved, the city’s match would be 25 percent, or $100,000, which could come from a special Tax Increment Financing fund set up in conjunction with the St. Ignatius Apartments project. TIF monies can be used only for certain things. According to city grant writer Lee Burnett, the Maine State Housing Authority has said the project Sanford has in mind fits the criteria.

Much of the $400,000 total — about $345,000 — would go toward improving the portion of Riverside Avenue between Winter Street and Washington Street. Some money would go to concept design, tree planting, bicycle lane markings and the like.

Burnett spoke at a public hearing on the project at a recent City Council meeting.

Burnett said the project would create safe walking and bicycling areas, bring more people downtown, help link the trails and create a destination to attract people to Sanford.

Citing potholes, missing parts of sidewalk and other issues, Burnett pointed out that Riverside Avenue needs “serious attention.”

He noted 2005 and 2011 studies the city had commissioned refer to similar projects.

Hazen Carpenter, a longtime member of the Sanford Trails Committee, pointed out the committee has long sought to link the city’s extensive trail system. 

There was no other comment at the public hearing.

In an interview following the meeting, Burnett pointed out that there is a trail head at the end of Pioneer Avenue and on the William Oscar Emery Drive end, the Sanford Trails Committee is close to linking a trail there to the YMCA.

Sanford is one of three communities invited to apply for the grant funds.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or [email protected].