Neighbors Upset with Start of Construction on Trail

By Mark Geary, Reporter

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By Tracey McCullough

Story Created: Sep 7, 2010 at 8:31 PM CST

Story Updated: Sep 7, 2010 at 9:11 PM CST

CEDAR RAPIDS– A trail designed to ultimately link Cedar Rapids and Marion has created controversy for one group of neighbors. The trail will run right through their backyard.

Construction starts this week, but some say they just learned about this project last week.

Last week, a group of about 60 homeowners received a letter in the mail from the city saying that construction was about to begin on a trail behind their homes.

City officials say they've been more than open about the project and it shouldn't have surprised anyone.

When Sandy Mostaert realized Cedar Rapids planned to start building a 12 foot wide asphalt trail behind her house this week, she was furious. A recent letter from the city explained the construction plans.

Mostaert said, "Why were we only informed five days prior to groundbreaking and over a holiday weekend?"

So, Mostaert went door to door and rallied for her neighbors to speak up. She says nearly everyone she spoke to didn't know about the trail and didn't want the trail, either.

"I don't have a chain link fence. So, they could walk right into my backyard. If I had stuff back there, they could take my stuff,” neighbor Joan Kraus said.

A city engineer came to listen to the concerns on Tuesday afternoon. People said they're worried about water drainage, decreasing property values and strangers walking through their backyard.

"When you put a public trail through a condensed neighborhood, the likelihood of crime and other vandalism will increase,” Mostaert said.

City officials say this project has been in the works for a decade and no one, up until now, has objected.

"At any time, the public could have commented during any of the approvals of the Capital Improvement Project, the trails master plan or the informational meeting we held two years ago,” Public Works Manager Craig Hanson said.

Even though there were press releases and notices published in the newspaper, these neighbors say they should have been personally notified a long time ago.

"I feel jaded by my city and the way they've handled this situation,” Mostaert said.

But, city leaders insist the community had plenty of chances to comment.

Hanson says construction for the trail will continue as planned this week. But, the city is going to host another informational meeting by the end of the week to address neighbors' concerns. Officials plan to set an exact date soon.

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