Monk to Mill Trail
Monk to Mill Trail
A path to creativity By Corey Davis
There’s a buzz around town about a rail trail’s potential to be part of a much larger project, which could draw residents, tourists and businesses to Rocky Mount. The proposed Monk to Mill Trail is designed to be a 2.5 mile multi-use trail, connecting Thelonious Monk Park to the Rocky Mount Brewmill. The late Monk was a Rocky Mount native and a renowed jazz composer. Brad Kerr, director of engineering for the city of Rocky Mount, said the trail would be created by converting unused railways into multi-use paths for bicycling or walking. The trail would connect many of downtown Rocky Mount’s significant infrastructures and public investments such as the proposed downtown community facility, Rocky Mount Farmers Market, Braswell Memorial Library, Rocky Mount Veterans Memorial at Jack Laughery Park, Imperial Centre for the Arts & Sciences and the Douglas Block, which includes the Monk Plaza. The Monk to Mill Trail would cost between $1.2 million and $1.5 million, Kerr said. Bob League, principal transportation planner for the city of Rocky Mount, said the project also would include “complete” streets 18
Carolina Brew Scene
making them usable to all people in all types of travel. “Whether you are walking, bicycling, riding a bus or driving a car, it serves all users equally,” League said. EHI Consultants Project Manager Ryan Holmes said the goal of the project is to connect Rocky Mount’s heritage of railroads, jazz and the upand-coming craft brewing industry. “Extending the energy from the Douglas Block down Washington Street to Monk Park is essential as is extending the energy surrounding the Rocky Mount Mill to downtown,” Holmes said. “We want to commission local artists to incorporate that creative side with local history. We want to bring that history to life and connect it.” Despite the potential and excitement of the trail and street enhancement projects, League acknowledged there’s a chance neither will come to fruition. The city is continuing to seek funding for both projects through the N.C. Department of Transportation and a Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery Grant. The TIGER grant provides a unique opportunity for the Department of Transportation to Summer 2016
invest in road, rail, transit and port projects that promise to achieve national objectives, Kerr said. He added the city was passed over for receiving the grant last year while places like Wilson earned a similar grant. “We applied for $16.5 million and this year, we’ve done some refinements and that figure will be increased,” Kerr said. “If we have to go through another grant it will take a whole lot longer, so we’re hoping this works out.” Holmes said many residents expressed their vision about how the trail could be similar to the 22mile American Tobacco trail, North Carolina’s longest rail-trail and the Charlotte Rail trail, drawing tourists and locals. “All of these projects are about improving and connecting the urban core and creating an opportunity to get from the surroundings neighborhoods to downtown and not neccessarily need a vehicle,” Kerr said. “Also, by creating this project and creating this re-investment, we’re creating additional recreation and an environment where people want to be and live. Once those things happen, you’re going to get economic development.”
