LAYTON — Work could start in the spring on a walkway system to connect hotels, here, to the Davis Conference Center.

The Davis County Tourism Tax Advisory Board gave its nod of approval, Tuesday afternoon, to a $100,000 tourism tax funding request for the walkway, which the city of Layton will match.

The issue will now move to the Davis County Commission, which has final say on disposition of tax funds. No property taxes would be used for this project.

“We will make a recommendation to the commissioners to support up to $100,000 from tourism funds, in a dollar-to-dollar match,” said Kent Sulser, Davis County Economic Development director.

“Layton would spend their $100,000 first, then the match money from the county would be spent last,” he explained, with the advisory board unanimously backing the proposal. In addition, Layton will spend an estimated $41,000 to pave sidewalks, modify some walls and more.

“I am thrilled,” said Davis Area Convention & Visitors Bureau CEO Barbara Riddle about Tuesday’s action. “I think it will be a great asset for meetings, conventions, tourists, and for Davis County and Layton residents as a whole,” she added Riddle was one of the first to promote the walkway,

“This is just the beginning of the whole project. It lays the groundwork and there will be some exciting things to come,” she said. “We’ve been talking about this, hospitality zone, ‘buffalo walk,’ since 2007.”

The walkway would provide easy access for those staying in hotels on Woodland Drive, which is a kind of “hotel row,” to the Davis Conference Center.

Eventually, it’s hoped to create a “walking system” through the hospitality zone, even stretching north across Antelope Drive to restaurants and shops there. In addition, the walkway would tie into the Bonneville Shoreline trail and Layton trails, Riddle explained.

“This will provide better access for people to get to the Conference Center,” agreed Layton Economic Development Specialist Ben Hart.

“Connectivity to retail shopping, restaurants, the mall, and other important areas” are all part of the plan, he said. “We think it will be a good tool to attract conferences.”