A proposed master plan for a development project in Norfolk received a financial boost from the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District.
Board members Tuesday agreed to provide $25,000 toward writing the master plan for the North Fork of the Elkhorn River as long as that amount is matched by other contributions.
The NorthFork Development Foundation has been formed to create a recreation, residential, entertainment and retail business corridor along the three-mile river stretch through downtown Norfolk.
Joe Ferguson, an ex-officio member of the foundation board, said the foundation wouldn't expect the NRD's funds until $25,000 has been raised from other sources first.
Dan Mauk, president of the Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce, said his group's executive committee expects to recommend adding $5,000 from chamber funds to the planning effort.
"There is a great deal of pretty genuine support in the business community' for the project, Mauk said.
Jim Miller, foundation chairman, said in a letter that commitments totaling $10,000 for the plan already have been received from NeighborWorks Northeast Nebraska and the Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District.
The foundation has advertised for proposals from firms interested in developing the plan.
"The creation of such a plan will identify the best use of trails and mixed-use functions for the purpose of amending the city's comprehensive plan, communicating the scope of the project to the general citizenry and for use in attracting potential investors, developers and business and industry to the region as well as augmenting labor recruitment, tourism and retirement opportunities,' Miller wrote.
Marion Shafer, an NRD board member from Norfolk, cast the lone dissenting vote, saying he had talked to people who are against the project.
In other action, the board approved Community Forestry grants, which require some local match of funds, to: City of Clarkson, $2,782 for tree and shrub rejuvenation; Village of Concord, $1,575 for continuing park improvement; Norfolk Public Schools, $1,170 for planting trees on school grounds; Oakland-Craig Public School, $2,400 for planting trees; City of Pender, $4,575 for planting shrubs and trees in the city park; SID 1 Woodland Park, $5,000 for tree removal and replacement; City of Stanton, Stanton Health Center, $4,455 for tree removal and replacement.
Also approved was a $1,812 Forestry Incentive grant for tree replacement at Greenwood Cemetery in Wayne.
The board also:
- Approved an agreement with JEO Consulting Group to do a feasibility study and report on the Battle Creek flood control project for $48,550 and an agreement with the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources to do a survey and stereo mapping for the project for $24,155, an amount that will be matched by the state agency.
- Raised the payment to landowners from $50 to $100 an acre to participate in an option of its Lands for Conservation program.
- Recommended that staff provide the Nebraska Department of Agriculture with information to promote increased payments to landowners enrolling in the Nebraska Buffer Strip Program.
