Bowling Green’s ever expanding system of greenways saw renewed attention Tuesday night as city commissioners approved a bid to complete construction of the West End Greenway, a project the city says has been eight years in the making.

“We’re glad to finally get this going,” City Manager Jeff Meisel told commissioners.

The West End Greenway will connect residents of the West End neighborhood with downtown Bowling Green by way of Kentucky Street to Hobson Grove Park, according to a city memo.

Sidewalks and multi-use paths will be built along Double Springs Road and Church Street, and a new sidewalk will be installed along Pearl Street. This phase follows up on the prior completion of multi-use pathways along Veterans Memorial Lane and Gordon Avenue.

Alvaton-based Baker Contracting will handle the job, after receiving a bid totaling $973,834.49. Brent Childers, head of Neighborhood and Community Services, said the project was broken up after funding from a Transportation Alternatives Program grant would not cover the entire project.

“Our eventual goal (is) building a loop of greenway around Bowling Green, so this is just another leg, another phase of this,” Childers said.

Construction is set to begin “in the next couple of weeks,” Childers said, with work taking around six to eight months to complete.

“We expect this to be out here and usable for the public very soon,” Childers said. “We put in a lot of work to get to this point … we’re in prime construction season to get this thing built.”

Commissioners also approved a $230,000 bid from Baker to remove and replace various portions of sidewalk around the city, around $127.60 per square yard.

The work will take place in an area of the city bound by Old Morgantown Road and Riverview Drive, Public Works Director Andy Souza said Tuesday.

Last May, the city trimmed down portions of sidewalks that posed significant “trip hazards.” According to a city memo, remaining defects require full replacement. The memo states work is expected to finish by late June of this year.

Commissioners also recognized the Bowling Green High School Purples basketball team and head coach D.G. Sherrill, who ended their season as state runner-ups on Sunday.

Bowling Green Mayor Todd Alcott spoke on the team’s appearance in the Sweet 16, and told players “may you ride this victory all the way.”

The commission will meet next on April 15.