Leader photo/CRAIG HAUPERT
Crews are expected to finish work on the first phase of the project, encompassing 3.3 miles of trail from near U.S. 12 in Niles Township to the Indiana/Michigan state line.

With the first phase of construction on a new multi-use recreational trail well underway in Niles Charter Township, township officials shifted focus to the second phase of the project with a discussion at Monday’s regular meeting.

“We want to get things going so we will be in good shape to apply for the next cycle of grants,” said Terry Eull, township clerk.

The second phase of the Indiana-Michigan River Valley Trail would connect the trail from near Brandywine Creek Nature Park to the City of Niles. Grant applications are due April 2015.

The second phase of the project could be completed as early as 2017 depending on several factors, including the ability to secure state funding. The first portion cost around $840,000, with the majority of the cost covered by state and local grants.

“We are getting everything in order,” Eull said.

The trail, when finished, will connect the City of Niles to Mishawaka, Ind., with more than 30 miles of recreational trails. The first phase of the project in Niles Township is a 3.3-mile portion running from just north of U.S. 12 to the Indiana/Michigan state line. It is scheduled to be completed by the end of this summer.

Also Monday, the township announced it would be seeking to hire someone to fill its vacant code enforcement and zoning administrator positions. The person would work part-time. Applications are available at the township hall, 320 Bell Rd., Niles.

Eull said the township has been without a zoning administrator for about nine months after the last one left for another job. The township has been without a code-enforcer since October of 2013.

“I wish we could’ve filled the position sooner, but we will be all right,” Eull said. “We want to move quickly on this.”

Also, the township was scheduled to rule on Mike Kachur’s request to rezone a property at 310 Fulkerson Rd. from residential to general business. Eull said Kachur wants to expand his business — Kachur’s Tree Service — to that location.

Township officials were unable to vote on the request Monday because they learned that the township’s planning commission had made an error on the request. Eull said it would be sent back the planning commission. The Niles Township Board will make the final determination about the request. Eull said a decision could be made as soon as the board’s next meeting May 19.