Borough council considers future linear trail routes
By JAMES McGINNIS
Ephrata Review

Published: May 07, 2008 10:41 AM EST

EPHRATA, PA - Ephrata officials discussed plans for the next phase of the Ephrata Linear Park and improvements to State Street and Reading Road at the borough council meeting Monday.

Borough manager Gary Nace said that he wants conceptual plans drafted showing possible routes that the Ephrata Linear Park may take around the train station between Main Street and Rose Alley. The plans would be shown to the owners of several local businesses, as well as members of Downtown Ephrata Inc., in order to determine which route will ultimately be chosen. The paved, multi-use trail is being constructed along the former Reading Railroad right-of-way.

Council member Anthony Kilkuskie said that the borough's park and recreation committee favors constructing the trail around the right side of the station. He estimated that about three spaces in the parking lot off Rose Alley would have to be removed for the trail. "The preferred route is to go between the Ephrata Review building and flea market, cross Main Street, then tack right past the railroad station and through the center of the parking lot," he said. "However, we want to make sure everyone is on board before we continue."

Council member Russell Shirker questioned the need to route the trail through the parking lot. He suggested that upgrading the sidewalk that currently runs between the station and the Royer building for trail use may be a better alternative.

"This would be a straight line, and no parking spaces would have to be removed," Shirker pointed out.

Kilkuskie said that the committee studied that possibility, but felt it may be too narrow to adequately handle the increased foot and bicycle traffic that would result if it became part of the trail. However, he added that Shirker had a good point about the route providing a straight line and eliminating the need to decrease parking space, and said that this alternative will be among the ones presented to Downtown Ephrata Inc. "Your point is well-taken," Kilkuskie said.

.500The borough constructed the first phase of the Linear Park between Sycamore Road and Fulton Street last summer and fall. Work on Phase 2, which will extend from Fulton Street to Main Street, will take place this summer. No date has yet been set for construction on the portions north of Main Street.

Long-range plans anticipate connecting the Linear Park to the Lititz-Warwick Trailway via a new rail trail that would run between the south end of Ephrata to the Warwick Township Municipal building on Clay Road east of Lititz.

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.500The council discussed planned improvements to three streets that they expect to approve at next Monday's action meeting.

 Nace recommended that the council accept a bid of $105,271 from Burkholder Paving to mill and resurface the section of State Street between Fulton and Orange streets this summer. He pointed out that the size of the bid was significantly less than the estimated $160,000, and suggested that the council budget the remaining funds to resurface the section of State Street between Lime and Orange streets as well.

Borough Engineering Project Manager David Burkholder, who is not related to the owners of Burkholder Paving, said that the project is expected to begin in early August and be completed by Aug. 21.

"Our goal is to get our street work done before the start of the new school year," he said.

Nace also recommended that the council approve easements between Redner's, Zimmerman's Auto and Homett Corporation to install a traffic signal at the intersection between the entrances to their parking lots and Route 272. The borough expects installation of the signal to improve the safety of the intersection.

The council also expects to accept a $65,654 Lancaster County transportation grant to help fund the construction of a sidewalk along the west side of Route 272 between Martin Avenue and the northern borough line later this summer, and to authorize the HRG engineering firm to conduct a feasibility study that will determine whether a left-hand turn signal can be installed at the intersection of Main and Lake streets. The study is estimated to cost $8,500.

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.500The council also expects to approve a contribution of $350 to the Eicher Indian Museum Board to help pay for the resetting of the flagstone sidewalk outside the museum, which is located in Grater Park.

Ephrata Interim Police Chief Tom Shumaker said that Garden Spot Auto Auction has offered to sell nine of the 12 vehicles from the department's old fleet. He said that the other three will be donated to the borough for official use by staff.

The council also announced plans to renew the $200 per acre lease for the Haller property to the Zeiset family. The borough leases the tract to the Zeisets, who use it for farmland, on an annual basis.