Bike path from JC to Elizabethton? (Johnson City: foreclosed, rentals, neighborhoods)

[pineywoods]

Over a year ago I read about a bike path that was to be constructed between JC and Elizabethton. Has that been started yet? Or is it at a dead end?

[kamoshika]

The project's currently at a standstill:
Johnson City Rail To Trail Project Lacking Steam | TriCities

[jabogitlu]

As with basically everything involving Johnson City, there's much ado about who owns what, who'll buy what, etc. etc.

From my perspective, a great base station for the trail would be the old train depot (recently foreclosed & sold). Too bad the city didn't buy it - it would be great for bike rentals, information about the trail, a park center etc. etc.

[pineywoods]

It's hard to understand why JC seems so stagnant...even on something as beneficial to residents as a bike path. It's a vibrant city...what's with the aversion to progress?

[SarahSal]

Originally Posted by pineywoods

It's hard to understand why JC seems so stagnant...even on something as beneficial to residents as a bike path. It's a vibrant city...what's with the aversion to progress?

Yes, Pineywoods, that is the million dollar question! Perhaps, it's their version and concept of what constitutes progress - exclusive gated subdivisions, big box stores and corporate restaurants, which keep those tax dollars flowing quickly! As opposed, that is, to old gracious neighborhoods and little old downtowns leftover from their past glory days - which require investment monies and smart thinking to bring back. I think it 'might could' be the Scottish heritage of frugality that contributes to the *problem*.?? As I've suggested before, they tend to like the big money businesses that they can garner big tax dollars from - imho, that is.