Roswell residents voted overwhelmingly in favor of a $14.7 million bond issue Tuesday that targets transportation, recreation and public safety projects that had been stalled by the recent recession.
The issue helped draw near-record numbers to the polls, drawing support from two out of every three who cast a ballot.
“To me, they’ve done a pretty good job of explaining what it’s for,” said Ed Hetherington, who cast a ballot Tuesday in favor of the measure. “I think Roswell has proven that they do a good job of using funds for improvements.”
Almost half the money generated from the bond will go for ramp improvements and landscaping at Holcomb Bridge Road and Ga. 400, the city’s busiest intersection and one of the busiest in metro Atlanta.
City leaders say the bond will not add to the local property tax rate because it comes as the city is retiring old debt from two previous bonds.
Mayor Jere Wood said the initiative gives Roswell an opportunity to accelerate improvements to the quality of life in the city of 88,000. Without the bond, he said, residents would have to wait for these projects on a pay-as-you-go basis.
“When you think about a wading pool for seniors … a lot of these seniors who will benefit from it would not benefit from it if we waited,” he said. “The same thing is true for these turf fields for kids who are playing athletics.”
Not everyone was sold on the bond.
“I have serious doubt whether we even need a bond issue,” said resident Sam Evans. “Some of the bonds we have now will be out of the way, and I think the city has enough money without having to go out and borrow it.”
Evans also objected to including synthetic turf at three parks to the project list, calling it a “gimmick.”
Some opponents also pointed out that the city is not obliged to adhere to the proposed project list because it was not spelled out on the ballot. The list, approved by the City Council, includes:
— $6 million for ramp improvements and landscaping at Holcomb Bridge Road and Ga. 400.
— $2.5 million for upgrades to the Adult Recreation Center, including a therapeutic pool.
— $2 million to install synthetic turf at Roswell Area Park, Waller Park Extension and East Roswell Park, a total of four fields.
— $1.5 million to rebuild Fire Station No. 4 in south Roswell.
— $2.7 million for a multiuse path and bike lanes on Eves Road and a portion of the multiuse trail on Holcomb Bridge Road.
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