He may be right. The first of three public workshops attracted 150 people. Greene and several other groups have to make believers of many residents, some of whom don't even know what a greenway is. Then there's a small but vocal group that fears the paths will link less-desirable neighborhoods with affluent ones, creating crime and safety problems. Acquiring the land and money to buy, build and maintain greenways could also be a problem.
Government grants provide millions of dollars of funding, but many require cities to match it.
The benefits of greenways are numerous, said Keith Lovan, a city engineer and member of the greenway committee. Areas of trees and other vegetation can clean water. Reduce air pollution by providing an alternative to cars. David Crockett, chairman of the Chattanooga City Council, credits that city's greenways projects with revitalizing the city, attracting new businesses and attracting people back to the city. Under Lexington's current zoning policy, developers who donate green space are rewarded with zoning changes that allow them to make money off higher-density building elsewhere on the property, said Jimmy Emmons of the Division of Planning.