Olive Branch city officials this week announced a grant award from the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) for a multi-use path encircling the future expansion of soccer fields at the city’s George Harrison Park at 8700 Church Road.
The grant award is for $900,000 and is a Transportation Alternative Funds grant. The Transportation Alternatives Program of MDOT was established under the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) of 2012.
The money granted to the city equates to 80 percent of the project cost and Olive Branch must provide a 20-percent match, along with other associated costs, such as right-of-way, engineering design, and utility relocation.
Officials said the grant will be used to create a 10-foot-wide multi-use path around, what is planned to be, additional future soccer fields. The trail will be approximately a mile long and is scheduled to be completed in about 18 months.
In addition to the grant award announcement on Tuesday evening at the Board of Aldermen, board members approved the placement of an LED marquee sign at the entrance to Olive Branch City Park. The board also vote to allow city residents to be able to use the Senior Citizens Center facility for civic-related meetings there at no fee.
Bob Bakken provides content for DeSoto County News and its social media channels. He is an award-winning broadcaster, along with being a reporter and photographer, and has done sports media relations work with junior and minor league hockey teams. Along with his reports on this website, you will find this veteran media member providing sports updates and high school football play-by-play on Rebel 95.3 FM Radio.
