2007 Parks Bond FAQs
Scheduled for the October 9th, 2007 Ballot
Q: What proposal will be on the Oct. 9 ballot?
Raleigh voters are being asked to consider an $88.6 million bond issue for parks and greenway projects.
Q: How will the parks bonds be used?
Q: What projects are being proposed in the bond referendum?
Completion of 2003 Bond Projects:
- Playground and building improvements;
- Outdoor security lighting;
- Crabtree Creek greenway extension to the Neuse River;
- Improvements to Halifax Center;
- Expansion of Jaycee Center; and,
- Extension of Honeycutt Creek Greenway.
Greenway Development
- Funding to assist in the partial completion of the Neuse River Greenway from Falls Dam to Johnston County; and,
- Extension of Walnut Creek Greenway toward the Neuse River.
ParkLandAcquisition
- This component is for acquisition of various park sites throughout Raleigh.
Capacity Needs
- Outdoor components and amenities for Barwell Road Park;
- Expansion of Carolina Pines Community Center;
- New carriageway bridge at Pullen Park; and,
- Retrofitting the carousel building at Chavis Heights Park for a new use.
New Facility Development
- Construction of a senior programs/services facility(s);
- Development of the Anne Louise Wilkerson, M.D. Nature Preserve Park;
- Development of an interpretive center at Mordecai Historic Park;
- Master planning and development of Randleigh Farm site;
- New aquatics facilities development;
- Construction of a community center in northeast Raleigh;
- Planning and development of outdoor active recreation in northeast Raleigh;
- Development of a multi-use center at Lake Johnson Park;
- Development of partnerships and/or use of commercial facilities to provide services in areas where neighborhood park land is either too expensive or unavailable; and,
- Signage package for the City’s parks and greenway system.
Q: How were the projects listed for the proposed bond chosen?
Categorical areas (Completion of 2003 Bond Projects, Greenway Development, Park Land Acquisition, Capacity Needs, New Facility Development) were defined and project-by-project assessments were done on a system-wide basis.
Q: Why is a mile of greenway construction so expensive?
The typical greenway trail is a 10-feet wide asphalt trail. Currently the average cost for the construction of a mile of greenway trail is in excess of $700,000. Included in this average cost are land acquisition costs, engineering costs, permitting costs, and construction. Engineering, permitting and construction costs are all high relative to other general construction because of the sites on which a greenway trail is constructed. These sites are dominated by alluvial soils which require evaluation and possible stabilizing solutions in order to support the trail and its traffic; wetlands which required avoidance by construct boardwalks; and storm drainage issues which require that flood elevations and impacts be considered. An asphalt trail is planned in order to provide handicap and multi-user access. The width is planned as 10-feet to minimize conflicts between users that are traveling at different speeds and in opposite directions.
Q: Are there less expensive ways to build trails?
There are less expensive ways to build trails, but with each alternative there are associated losses of benefit or increased operating costs. For example, trails can be constructed with ‘select fines’ which provides handicap accessibility, but the material washes easily. Because most of the Capital Area Greenway System is located within floodplains, the trail surface will be inundated several times annual. The runoff will cause the trail surface material to wash and/or float requiring that the trail surface be rehabilitated after every flooding event. The trail width might be reduced, but this will increase user conflicts between different types of trail users. Reducing the width also means that maintenance, emergency and security access is limited.
Q. When was the most recent parks bond referendum held?
The citizens of Raleigh last voted on a parks bond referendum in 2003, when $47.25 million in parks system improvements were approved.
Q: What is the history for Parks and Greenways Bond packages?
Q: What was the $47.25 million bond fund, approved in 2003 for parks system improvements, used for?
Projects in the 2003 bond program included greenway development, park land acquisition, facility upgrades, expansion of existing facilities, new park development and redevelopment of older park facilities. Here is an update on those projects:
- Greenway development - $4,835,000 has been set aside for the design and construction of seven new greenway trails as well as neighborhood connections. Currently, the House Creek Greenway and Upper Neuse River Greenways are in the design phase. Approximately, $1.4 million has been spent to date.
- Green Road Gym addition – More than $1.2 million has been allocated for this project. Currently it is in the planning phase.
- Optimist Pool improvements - $500,000 has been allocated for this work. Currently, the project is in the design phase. $3.1 million remains for construction.
- Seasonal pool conversion – Nearly $500,000 has been set aside for the conversion. The project is in the construction phase.
- Land acquisition - $2 million has been allocated for new park land acquisition.
- Facility upgrades – Nearly $2 million has also been allocated for improvements to Raleigh parks including playground improvements, building improvements, additional outdoor security lighting and the renovation of Mordecai Park.
- Walnut Creek Environmental Education Center - $1.56 million has been allocated for the project. It is in the design phase.
- Forest Ridge Park - $400,000 has been set aside for this park. The project is in the design phase. $4.4 million remains for construction.
- Marsh Creek Community Center - $400,000 has been allocated for this center. The project is in the design phase. $4.8 million remains for construction.
- Chavis Park improvements – This project is in the design phase. $975,000 has been allocated for this work.
- Pullen Park improvements - $2 million has been set aside for this project. Currently, it is in the design phase. $4.6 million remains for construction.
- Brier Creek facility – $1 million was allocated for this facility. Construction has been complete and the facility is open.
- Timberlake Neighborhood Park – This project is in the planning phase. $130,000 has been set aside for completion of the planning phase. $1.5 million remains for construction.
- Neuse River Whitewater Park - $195,000 has been aside for this park. Currently, it is in the planning phase.
- Sanderford Road Neighborhood Center - $1.3 million has been allocated for this facility. It is currently in the design phase.
- Skate Park - $520,000 has been allocated for this project and it is currently in the planning phase.
Also, funds have been allocated for the following projects, but work has not gotten under way:
Greenway Trails
- Crabtree Creek Greenway, $350,000
- Honeycutt Creek Greenway, $300,000
- Chavis Way Extension, $23,000
- Little Rock Trail Extension, $333,0000
- Walnut Creek Greenway, $654,000; and,
- Neighborhood Connections, $206,000.
Park Improvements
- Lake Lynn Gym Addition, $117,000.
New Facilities
- Neighborhood School Parks, $600,000; and,
- Gardner Street Park Improvements, $25,000.
Q: Why did work on the 2003 bond projects not begin immediately following passage of the bond?
The Raleigh City Council approved a resolution pledging that if voters approved the bond package, the City would not issue bonds until the economy improved. This kept City property taxes from being increased to pay for the bond projects. Once the bonds were issued after 18 months of capacity growth, funding was allocated to projects over a five year fiscal period.
Q: How will this bond be scheduled?
The funding schedule for the bond projects included in this year’s bond will be determined by the Raleigh City Council.
Q: Where is the City with its debt load?
The City of Raleigh historically has maintained a reasonable level of debt by maintaining a balance between pay-as-you-go funding and long-term debt, represented mostly by bonds. State statute allows cities to legally incur general obligation debt of up to 8 percent of the assessed value in the city. As of June 30, 2007 the City had general obligation debt of approximately .90 percent of its assessed value. Should bonds be issued for the proposed parks and recreation bonds, the City’s outstanding debt would be approximately 1.17 percent of its assessed value.
Q. Why does the City use bonds to finance parks and other projects such as roads and public utilities?
The use of bonds for financing major capital improvements allows pay back of the funds over the life of the capital item. In the case of general capital projects such as parks and streets – which benefit the community as a whole – general obligation debt is normally used and is secured by the taxing power of the City. For enterprises like the water and sanitary sewer system, where there is a self-supporting rate system in place, the City usually issues revenue bonds. These revenue bonds are repaid from the utility fees paid by customers.
Q: How can I learn more about the 2007 parks bond referendum?
For answers to questions regarding the parks bond referendum, contact Parks and Recreation Director Jack Duncan at 890-3285 or email parksbond@ci.raleigh.nc.us, or visit the City of Raleigh’s website at www.raleighnc.gov/parkplan.
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