Members of the Chattanooga City Council debated today whether $50,000 should be spent on building a greenway in north Hixson as the economy is in recession.

“It might be a hard time for the budget,” said Council Chairman Jack Benson. “We might need $50,000.”

The council is set to vote on the measure next week, but talked about it today in the Parks and Recreation Committee. The Trust for Public Land is asking the city to donate $50,000 to help construct a 2,000-foot concrete walkway between Hixson Middle School and Morning Pointe of Chattanooga Assisted Living Center.

The trailway eventually will connect with Greenway Farm, officials said.

Councilwoman Carol Berz said she disagreed with Mr. Benson’s outlook.

“We spend millions of dollars on some aspects of the community, and we want to pull back on quality of life,” she said.

For more information, read tomorrow’s Chattanooga Times Free Press.