The Fergus Falls Daily Journal

By Darla Ellingson

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FF School Board support requested for State Safe Routes to School grant

Published 11:03am Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Anne Martens, Fergus Falls Public Works Director, requested a letter of support from the school board prior to submitting a grant application for Safe Routes to School, which was approved by the city council Jan. 22.

Martens said funding from the Minnesota Department of Transportation is available for $100,000 to $300,000 with no matching dollars required. The grant would provide funding for infrastructure such as repairing missing or broken sidewalks and creating wheelchair access on curbs, but Martens said the overall intent was to encourage healthy activities for kids, like walking.

MnDOT wants to make bicycling and walking to school a safer and more appealing transportation alternative to students and their families, thereby encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle from an early age.

The grant application is due Feb. 15. Martens is seeking a letter of support before going to the council. The board will discuss the request at their working session tonight, and Superintendent Ness will follow-up with Martens.

If awarded, the grant would take effect in the 2014 calendar year.