Bloomington considering $10 million trails-and-trees project

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) - City officials in Bloomington are considering a $10 million project that includes 1,400 street-side trees and 7 miles of recreational trails.

The plan calls for borrowing the money for the work, which would also add six city entryways welcoming visitors. The Herald-Times reports about $7 million would go toward trail projects, such as extending the B-Line Trail to Indiana University and expanding trails around Griffy Lake on the city's north side.

Mayor John Hamilton calls the projects long-term investments that will pay dividends for decades.

But councilwoman Isabel Piedmont-Smith believes the money should go for community problems such as homelessness and drug addiction. The council is expected to discuss the plan Wednesday.

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Information from: The Herald Times, http://www.heraldtimesonline.com