News-Record.com

GREENSBORO — If there’s a city bond referendum this fall, it’s a good bet that $32.7 million for new fire stations will be on the ballot.

It’s also likely that not all of the projects suggested to the City Council during a public hearing Tuesday night would make it onto a November bond referendum. Paring down and choosing projects — creating a final list no later than July 18 — will be the council’s task in the coming weeks.

Several council members said in interviews last week that there isn’t enough money to go around. Councilman Mike Barber said he’d like to see whether there’s a way to pay for some projects from the city’s budget before he’ll consider bonds.

Councilwoman Sandy Carmany said potential tax increases in this year’s city and county budgets give her pause as she considers how much money should be put to the voters on a bond referendum.

"I’m feeling the need to keep this bond referendum lean and mean," she said.

A look at some of the projects discussed Tuesday or described as a priority by city staff:

Six new fire stations
The fire department says the $32.7 million for six new stations and land are needed to accommodate growth in northeast and southeast Greensboro. Council members agree.

"Definitely, we have got to do that," Councilwoman Yvonne Johnson said. "That's a public safety issue. ... That’s a no-brainer."

"That is an essential service," Councilwoman Sandra Anderson Groat said. "We have to have good response times."

Economic development bond
Council members expressed views on the $25 million proposal to assemble land for large-scale businesses and improve transportation corridors.

Councilwomen Goldie Wells and Anderson Groat described the bond as essential. "We’ve got to have jobs," Anderson Groat said. "Quality of life begins with jobs."

Johnson wondered whether a smaller amount was possible.

Mayor Keith Holliday said he supported bond money to buy land, calling it “a great investment in our future.” But he’s unsure how much he’d commit, driven in part by a desire to keep the total bond referendum under $100 million.

Phillips said he had mixed emotions.

“I keep hearing we need to do this,” he said. “But I hear other people saying the private sector should be doing this.”

Build three libraries and renovate a fourth

Wells supports putting the $9.1 million for libraries on the referendum. “Everyone uses the library,” she said. “In our community, the library is the hub of the community.”

Carmany said she would probably vote to include libraries. She believes the city made an implied commitment to restore library service to northeast Greensboro after the Northeast Branch was closed in 2002 for budget reasons.

Anderson Groat and Johnson said they might support only some of the library projects, and Phillips said it’s something the city can’t afford.

Renovate Greensboro Historical Museum

Johnson favors putting renovations to 8,000 square feet of exhibit space on the ballot, calling the museum “a real asset to our community.”

Anderson Groat is unsure about the project and its estimated $3.5 million price tag. “I think it would be tremendous, but is it necessary like (some library branches) or fire stations?”

Carmany said she’s leaning toward supporting the project, pointing out that the museum is also seeking private money to complement the city’s potential investment.

Holliday supports giving the museum money, though he’s “not sure if $3.5 million is the right number.”

Renovate War Memorial Stadium
Carmany is leaning toward supporting the project, based on what she described as “an implied promise” to preserve the stadium after Greensboro’s minor-league baseball team left for First Horizon Park.

Wells said she supports it. “We need to preserve some of our history,” she said.

Johnson favors the project, which would cost $6.4 million to $7.9 million depending on a seating capacity ranging from 1,500 to 2,500. “I think it ought to be in the absolute best condition that we can afford to have it in,” she said.

Phillips wants more information on the project, while Anderson Groat doesn’t view it as a high priority based on the price.

“You can only do so many things,” she said.

Renovate War Memorial Auditorium
One of the largest potential projects is the $35 million to $40 million plan to help draw attractions besides basketball to the Greensboro Coliseum Complex. The auditorium’s seating areas, balconies and lobby would be rebuilt, expanding the hall’s capacity to 2,550. A parking garage is also proposed.

Wells said she supports the project, while Carmany said she’d like to remove the parking garage from the project.

Phillips and Anderson Groat both had issues with financing. Anderson Groat wants a less-expensive renovation alternative. Phillips said he couldn’t support the project without private funding bearing some of the cost.

Holliday said he could back city funding in the low $20 million range focused on renovating. Significant private funding would be needed, he said.

International Civil Rights Center and Museum
Wells, Johnson and Anderson Groat support money for the museum on the referendum, touting it as a draw for downtown. A requested dollar amount hasn’t been specified. Johnson said she supported a “reasonable amount.”

Phillips said he wouldn’t support putting the proposal on the ballot. “They need to do their national fund-raising campaign,” he said.

Carmany is undecided, depending on how much money is being requested and whether the city money would be matched by private donations.
Holliday said he would support funding, though he’s unsure how much and said city money would have to be matched by private donations.

Swimming center
Wells, Johnson and Anderson Groat support putting a $7.5 million center — which includes an Olympic-size pool and seating for 1,500 — on the ballot. Johnson expressed reservations about the city paying to help operate the center.

“We have to provide opportunities for our young people. Evidently, swimming is very, very popular here,” Anderson Groat said.

Wells is enticed by the potential financial benefit.

“You know that would bring in some revenue if we hosted some (swim meets),” she said.

Carmany said “it would take a lot of convincing” to get her to support putting the center on the ballot. Phillips opposes, saying, “We just can’t afford it now.”

Package of parks and recreation projects
Council members said they needed to know more about the projects — including $9 million for land for parks and a $5 million teen center —before deciding whether to support them. Holliday said he would back bond money for the parks and recreation projects, but he’s unsure how much or which projects he would support.

Downtown Greenway loop
The greenway — which had an estimated price tag of $25 million when initially publicized last year — appears to face an uphill battle, with some council members opposed or leaning against putting the project on the ballot. Some council members again raised the overall price of the referendum as a concern.

Ole Asheboro-Willow Oaks revitalization
Anderson Groat, who owns a company that builds affordable housing, said she supported the $2.2 million to continue these two neighborhood revitalization projects. Holliday said he would probably support it because of the small dollar amount at stake and because the projects would boost property values, repaying the city’s investment.

Other council members said they needed more information.