The proposed boardwalk under the N.C. Highway 32 bridge at Havens Gardens was derailed by the Washington City Council during its meeting last week.

Mayor Mac Hodges broke the 2-2 tie on the motion to build the boardwalk by voting against it. He was joined in opposition to the project by council members Doug Mercer and William Pitt. Council members Larry Beeman and Richard Brooks favored proceeding with the project.

The split vote means the city’s parks and recreation manager won’t apply for a $100,000 grant to help build the boardwalk.

If the city had been awarded the Public Beach & Coastal Waterfront Access Funds grant, the city would have been obligated to provide $10,000 for the project, at least $5,000 in cash and an in-kind, non-cash contribution, according to a memorandum from Kristi Roberson, the city’s parks and recreation manager, to the mayor and council.

Plans called for the boardwalk to be built in two phases, according to the memorandum. The first phase would connect Havens Gardens to the existing concrete walkway under the bridge that connects Washington and Washington Park. The second phase would connect the boardwalk to the boat ramps at Havens Gardens.

The city’s Recreation Advisory Committee included the proposed project on its list of high-priority projects, according to the memorandum.

Mercer said he could not justify spending $110,000 for half a boardwalk that, according to him, would not be used much.

In related business, the City Council voted 3-1 to have the city attorney address concerns regarding the contract between the city and Trillium Health Resources to pay for playground equipment to make the city’s Havens Gardens park more accessible to handicapped children. Council member William Pitt voted against the motion, while councilmen Doug Mercer, Richard Brooks and Larry Beeman voted for it. Some of the concerns focused on how much influence Trillium Health Services would have over the project. Other concerns focused on the city recouping expenses if the project is not fully completed.

Previously, the council accepted a $225,000 grant from Trillium Health Resources.