Below is a copy of the interview.
Q: How long have you personally been involved in the Cayuga Waterfront Trail?
A: 10 years. The Trail was proposed in 1997.
Q: What are your duties in the Waterfront Trail compared to the duties of others who are involved?
A: Project Coordinator of the Trail employed through Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce. Rick Manning was the one who brought the idea to the County Chamber, in order to build the trail there needed to be a non-profit sponsor which the County Chamber agreed to be. Rick is also head of the designing and planning of the Trail.
Q: Where has/does the funding for the Trail come from?
A: Local Funding: Foundation Grants, Park Foundation Grants, contributions from the community (include sponsoring the trail by purchasing bricks and benches along the trail). There is also a fair amount of government funding for the trail. Rick Manning is hired by the City of Ithaca to write grants to gain funding for the Trail.
Q: What have been some of the legal obstacles of the Waterfront Trail? In particular the situation with Puddledockers and Andre Petroleum?
A: There has been a case of eminent domain during the construction of the trail. The New York department of transportation has taken over the eminent domain case now. They have strict standards and guidelines they always follow.
Q: In your personal opinion, what are the most important things that people can benefit from the Waterfront Trail?
A: Rick Manning feels if you are going to live in a city, it's better to get around without a car. Also, it's better both environmentally and economically if people were to use alternate methods of transportation besides cars. There are also several health benefits to the people that use the trail, mentally and physically.
Q: On the Cayuga Waterfront Trail website it says the trail will "help Ithaca develop a sustainable transportation system", could you explain this a little more for me?
A: People are dependent on cars, and there are things that don't help to discourage this. Buildings and towns are very spread out, and the safety for non car transportation is not that great. The Trail will provide alternative means of transportation for those that live in the city.
Q: Have you received any negative response from the community about the Trail personally?
A: Yes. There have been assorted times when there are responses online from the Ithaca Journal website. However, Rick Manning has received a lot more positive feedback from the community which he prefers to focus on.
Q: What has been done to promote the Trail in the community?
A: The Cayuga Waterfront Trail website (http://www.cayugawaterfronttrail.com/), information in the Newsletter, and Rick Manning also believes the trail itself is great promotion. Many people know and love the trail (phase 1 and phase 3 are complete, phase 2 is estimated to be constructed this year or the next) and are excited about it being completed.
Q: What are the remaining steps for the Waterfront Trail?
A: Furnishing the trail, increasing the use of the trail, finish phase 2 of the trail, fund raise money for the trail. Rick Manning is also currently working on a grant which would provide funding to improve the crossing from Dey Street and Third Street across Route 13.
Q: Is there a projected completion date for the Trail?
A: The goal is in 2012 to have the trail constructed all the way.
I also spoke with Rick Manning about my idea to conduct of survey of the public, figuring out who knows about the trail and how they feel about it. I asked Mr. Manning if there was any information that he was curious to know or would benefit those working on the project. He mentioned a few things:
- How do people feel about the right of way acquisition?
- Do people see the trail as more useful for transportation or recreation?
- Is the trail seen as a green thing? In terms of sustainability and alternate means of transportation.
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