Our original intention was to write about Detroit once again missing out on a federal grant for a greenway, but we got worse news today. We learned our friend Reggie Spratling, Sr. had passed.
It’s heartbreaking and we send our deepest condolences to his sister Cassandra and the entire family.
Reggie was one of those soft spoken guys who’d been around the bicycling scene in Detroit long before it became cool. He also gave back. He came to many bicycle advocacy meetings, participated in Bike to Work Day, club rides with the Metro Detroit Cycling Club, Metro 313 Cyclones, his church, and other events.
We didn’t have to search and upload photos of him for this article. We’d already used them prior.
We’ll never forget his excitement in learning his city council member, Rachel Castaneda-Lopez had also ridden on Bike to Work Day. That seemed to really show him that Detroit was getting into bicycling unlike ever before.
Also, we’re going to miss giving him updates on bike projects across the city, something he loved hearing about.
This is a big loss for Detroit and the city’s bicycle culture. We were blessed having having you as a friend. RIP, Reggie.
Joe Louis Greenway BUILD Grant
The US Department of Transportation announced the winners for the BUILD grants program. The city of Detroit had submitted a $20.3 million request to build half of the Joe Louis Greenway. Unfortunately it was not selected.
This is not the first rejection. The city had applied for the greenway previously when it was called TIGER. The grant typically scores well but with the new US DOT administration favoring rural projects, it just doesn’t seem the odds are as good as they once were.
While this funding would have been a major boost to the project, it certainly doesn’t mean the greenway won’t happen. There are other funding sources available that could provide construction funding. The Joe Louis Greenway is considered a regional trail and is eligible for some of the $40 million in funding recently pledged by the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation.
Besides, the greenway is not ready for construction yet. Framework planning will begin early next year which will lead to the routing and design of the greenway and surrounding areas.
