The trail needs your votes in the primaries, Tuesday, August 3, and your tax dollars for expansion
NEGAUNEE -- It's a big project, constructing 48 miles of the Iron Ore Heritage Trail connecting Harvey to Republic.
"What we're trying to do is to provide access across the counties for generations to come," said Carol Fulsher, Administrator for the Iron Ore Heritage Recreation Authority.
But it's more than providing access. The Iron Ore Heritage Recreation Authority is also trying to educate the public about the history of mining in the U.P. They plan to include artwork and signage to help bring the history of mining to life.
"The one thing that we wanted to make sure is that we're also telling the story of the Marquette Iron Range and how important the iron ore beneath our feet was to the building of the United States,” Fulsher said.
So far the project has received one million dollars from state and federal funding to create close to five miles of trail from Negaunee to Ishpeming. Three hundred to five hundred users are already enjoying the trail daily.
"It's just a great place to go and see, and if you really like the nature and you like going out on walks, you should definitely try it," said trail user Samantha Carter.
But the Recreation Authority needs $5.5 million more to complete the project. Project leaders are estimating state, private, and federal dollars will make up four million. But project leaders say they need your vote in the primaries, Tuesday, August 3, and your tax dollars to make up the balance.
"What we're asking for is a very small millage; it's two-tenths of a mil,” Fulsher said. “So that means when someone has a house that's valued at $50,000, a taxable value, they'll pay $10 a year per household, and this goes on for six years."
Raising money doesn't stop there. Mile markers along the trail are original rail that was used to transport ore from the mining sites to the shipping docks. They're being sold to the general public for $600 and after fabricating costs, $100 will benefit the trails. They're also going to be including the names of the people who purchased the markers on the bottom of the marker. Those names will stay on the trail forever.
If the project is approved, project leaders estimate the trail would be completed in five years.
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