Bloomington considering $10 million trails-and-trees project

City officials in Bloomington are considering a $10 million project that includes 1,400 street-side trees and seven miles of recreational trails.

The plan calls for borrowing the money for the work, which would also add six city entryways welcoming visitors. About $7 million would go toward trail projects, such as extending the B-Line Trail to Indiana University and expanding trails around Griffy Lake on the city's north side, the Herald-Times reported.

Mayor John Hamilton called the projects long-term investments that will pay dividends for decades.

But councilwoman Isabel Piedmont-Smith said the money should go for community problems such as homelessness and drug addiction. The council is expected to discuss the plan Wednesday.