Ukiah receives a CRNA grant to extend the Ukiah Rail Trail

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

The City of Ukiah, with the help of North Coast Opportunities, has been awarded a $1.8 million Urban Greening Grant from the California Natural Resources Agency (CRNA) to extend the Ukiah Rail Trail from Norton Street to Brush Street (Phase 3). The project will include native plant landscaping and workforce development. City of Ukiah staff will supervise the construction of the trail, and North Coast Opportunities (NCO) staff will supervise the landscaping and workforce development. The Ford Street Project will provide native plant landscaping training to help their clients reenter the workforce.

NCO staff approached City staff early this year with an offer to help with project development and grant writing. NCO staff solicited additional project partners who committed to help with volunteer labor, expertise, and/or matching funds from; the Ukiah Valley Trail Group, the Sanhedrin Chapter of the CA Native Plant Society, Red Road to Recovery, Grace Hudson Museum, The Wagenseller Neighborhood Association, and Project Releaf.

The project will install three tenths of a mile of new Class 1 Bicycle path, a pedestrian bridge across Orr Creek, two pocket parks, and a healing garden with a section of trail along Orr Creek.

The CRNA provided $76 million in funding for 39 green infrastructure projects through the state’s Urban Greening Program. Funded by Capand-Trade revenues, the grants support projects that aim to reduce greenhouse gases by sequestering carbon, decreasing energy consumption and reducing vehicle miles traveled. The projects also convert built environments into green spaces that improve air and water quality and provide opportunities for walking, biking and recreation.

Staff at NCO identified the Phase 3 Rail Trail project as a good fit for the Urban Greening Funding. According to Neil Davis, Director of Walk & Bike Mendocino, “City of Ukiah staff informed us they did not have time to pursue the funding, so we offered to help with project development and grant writing. Ben Kageyama from the City had the plan for the trail ready and it made for a great partnership.  We hope this will be a model for future collaborative projects.” 

The CRNA evaluated 143 applications and Ukiah’s Phase 3 Rail trail projects was one of 39 projects recommended for funding. Ninety two percent of the funding was awarded to projects in disadvantaged communities as defined by SB 535 of 2012.   

California’s Cap-and-Trade program, along with other state carbon reduction measures, ensures the state will meet its SB 32 target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030.