DeKalb windfall from refinancing may be spent on new construction

A one-time cash infusion into DeKalb County’s government may be spent on building a recreation center, a library and sidewalks.

The county commission is debating how to allocate more than $21 million it expects to receive from refinancing bonds at low interest rates.

The project list includes $6.3 million for an intergenerational recreation center at Tobie Grant Park in the Scottdale neighborhood, $3 million for a library at Wade Walker Park south of Stone Mountain, $2.5 million for parks maintenance and $450,000 for sidewalks.

The money could also be used to build an $8.6 million animal shelter near DeKalb-Peachtree Airport, but the shelter may be funded through other sources such as short-term bonds.

The DeKalb Commission plans to revise the project list and vote on construction plans as soon as next month. The list anticipates up to $28 million that could be gained from the refinancing, though final amounts available may turn out to be lower.

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