LUTHERAN QUILTERS – Members of the Quilts for Comfort Group stand between pews draped with some of the 205 quilts they made, in the Sitka Lutheran Church Tuesday. The group made the quilts for five local non-profits and one in Anchorage. The remaining quilts are sent to Lutheran World Relief which distributes them to places around the world in need, such as Ukraine, as part of Personal Care Kits. Pictured are, from left, Helen Cunningham, Kathleen Brandt,Vicki Swanson, Paulla Hardy, Kim Hunter, Linda Swanson and Sue Fleming. (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)
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Daily Sitka Sentinel
Public Likes Upland Route in Trail Extension
By BRIELLE SCHAEFFER
Sentinel Staff Writer
Given the choice between two possible routes for the extension of the Sitka Cross Trail from Harbor Mountain Road to Starrigavan, Sitkans gave an overwhelming “thumbs up” Tuesday night to the upland option.
Sitka Trail Works Director Lynne Brandon shows two options for extending the Sitka Cross Trail to the Starrigavan boat launch, during a meeting Tuesday at Centennial Hall. (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)
About three dozen people showed up at Centennial Hall for the public meeting to state their choices on a route for the federally-funded trail extension. The favored route is called “the Cross Trail east connection.” Cost of the 1.67 miles of new trail on this route is estimated at $1.3 million, said Trail Works Director Lynne Brandon.
The most favored route crosses Upper Granite Creek and then meanders through the muskeg before coming to a fork where there is a branch that angles down to meet Halibut Point Road across from the McGraw cruise ship dock. The main route of the trail continues north to the Starrigavan boat launch.
The city has received a $1.8 million grant from the Federal Highway Administration for the project.
The second option for the trail is called “the golf course connection” because it would cut through Sea Mountain Golf Course. It would cost $2 million and could require a 50-foot bridge to cross Granite Creek.
“The really cool thing about the east alignment is the grades are all below 10 percent, which is pretty amazing if you think about it,” Brandon said at the meeting.
The east connection is the Trail Works’ preferred alternative because of cost, contractibility and minimal impact on neighboring property owners.
There were objections to the golf course option from some residents whose houses would be closer to the trail. Furthermore, routing it around Granite Hill and the need for a bridge would make it more difficult to build, Brandon said.
And the price tag is a little out of range.
“We don’t have enough money to do it,” Brandon said.
At Tuesday’s meeting several people weighed in against the golf course route.
Maybelle Filler was concerned about bears on that route, and also thought construction of the trail might disrupt businesses in the Granite Creek area.
“In this town we don’t need more businesses shutting down,” Filler said.
Karl Stedman, who is a member of the Sitka Golf Association, added his voice against the lower option.
“You gave me a heart attack last week, drawing a line right through the golf course,” he told Brandon.
He said safety is of utmost concern to the golf association and he’s worried having a trail so close to the course could cause injuries.
“No one wants to hit a golf ball that could hit somebody,” Stedman said. “Those thing are like rockets.”
He also said he liked that the east connection route is farther away from the highway and would have more of a “nature walk” feel.
Trail Works will continue to gather input on both options before making a recommendation to its Board of Directors, Brandon said.
The board is set to vote on a recommendation in January before submitting it to the city.
Trail Works is still accepting public comments on the route options. Those can be sent via email to Trail@GCI.net.
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20 YEARS AGO
March 2004
Advertisement: Tea-Licious Tea House & Bakery 315 Lincoln Street Grand Opening! Freshly Baked Scones, Cakes & Pastries Innovative Salads, Soups & Sandwiches Harney & Sons Tea. Lunch * Afternoon Tea * Supper.
50 YEARS AGO
March 1974
Photo caption: National Republican Chairman George Bush takes a drink of water offered by Jan Craddick, Sitka delegate, during the Republican convention held here. Mrs. Craddick explained to Bush that the water was from Indian River, which means, according to local legend, that he will return.