Some of the bond note ordinances passed Thursday reference projects that are already approved and/or underway, like construction of a new government center and redevelopment of the Marian Meadows site. But others are less defined.
One $5 million bond note references the proposed development of a new “multi-purpose facility,” but the city has declined to share specific details about what the project may entail.
The ordinance language for this proposed project reads, in part:
“It is necessary to issue bonds of this city in the maximum principal amount of $5 (million) for the purpose of paying the costs of improving the city’s municipal recreation facilities by constructing, equipping and furnishing a multi-purpose facility, including among other amenities, concession facilities, restrooms, parking facilities, landscaping and related driveway and roads, and acquiring real estate and interests therein, together with all necessary and related appurtenances thereto.”
Mayor Jeff Gore said during Thursday’s meeting that more specific information about this project will be revealed during his State of the City speech scheduled for 6 p.m., June 9, at City Hall.
Multiple city officials declined Friday morning to answer specific questions about the project and its $5 million bond note issuance.
When asked if the “multi-purpose facility” cited in the ordinance is referring to the proposed indoor music venue on Executive Boulevard, which Mayor Gore teased last year, city spokeswoman Sarah Williams declined to answer yes or no.
“It’s a recreational facility; that’s all I can say ... The project has not been announced yet,” she said.
Earlier this month, assistant city manager Aaron Sorrell said the city is completing “due diligence” for the music venue along with partner Music and Event Management Inc. (MEMI).
Bond notes are often used by government entities to fund large-scale capital projects, with repayment taking place over a period of years or even decades.
Other bond note ordinances passed by council were done so in the below amounts for the following project initiatives:
- $1.6 million for a new fire station.
- $3 million for The Meadows infrastructure project.
- $14 million for the new municipal building.
- $20 million for a new public works facility.
- $3.3 million for existing fire station renovations.
- $6.1 million for public infrastructure improvements serving the Carriage Trails developments.
- $3.3 million for updates to existing city hall facility.
- $15.8 million for improvements to the city’s municipal waterworks well.
- $5 million for a new “multi-purpose facility,” details of which are to be “formally announced” during the June 9 SOTC speech, according to city officials.
- $7.2 million for the refunding of the notes issued in 2024 for the cost of property acquisition near the intersection of Brandt Pike and Fishburg Road, and for redevelopment work on the site.
- $2.3 million for the acquisition of 16.5 acres on Executive Boulevard and to prepare land for redevelopment.
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