VILLA HILLS — More than 80 percent of the city's households would be connected by sidewalks if Villa Hills is successful in a federal grant request.

        City officials are seeking $172,000 in federal Transportation Enhancement Act funds for sidewalk access to the Prospect Point and Smith Ridge subdivisions. The project also calls for wheelchair sidewalk access in those communities, as well as in Villa Hills' older sections lacking wheelchair ramps.

        The total project cost is $222,000, including the city's $50,000 cash contribution, said Councilman Tim Sogar. The city must apply for the federal money by Wednesday, and expects to hear by fall whether it was awarded the money.

        “This would put sidewalks in one of the last major areas that hasn't been connected to our city via sidewalks,” Mr. Sogar said. “This would complete our programming for sidewalks and provide the crowning jewel.”

        Dick Dean, president of the Prospect Point Homeowners Association, said residents have lobbied for a sidewalk to connect the complex to Amsterdam Road since 1984. There are sidewalks in the community but none run along Prospect Point Drive, the only access to the complex, Mr. Dean said.

        “I've had more than a few phone calls saying, "Why can't we have a sidewalk since Villa Hills is putting them everywhere else and we're a very big part of the city?'” Mr. Dean said.

        If the city is successful in its request for federal money, about 20 percent of Villa Hills' population would have new sidewalks, Mr. Sogar said. The 2,700 feet of sidewalks would run along the east side of Prospect Point Drive and along the west side of Amsterdam Road connecting to Smith Ridge.

        A section of sidewalks from Highwater and Amsterdam roads to Appleblossom Drive should be finished this summer, Mr. Sogar said.

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