By james art DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) — Early voting is underway in North Carolina, and Election Day is just a few weeks away.
On this year’s ballot, Durham voters can choose yes or no to the city’s use of general obligation (GO) bonds to fund street and sidewalk projects, as well as parks and recreation.
What is a bond referendum?
A bond referendum is a voting process that gives voters the power to decide whether a government should be allowed to raise funds by issuing general obligation (GO) bonds. In North Carolina, municipalities cannot issue GO bonds without voter approval.
Bond funds are how governments typically finance projects to pay for infrastructure. The debt is repaid with interest for a certain period. GO bonds can be repaid through a variety of city funding sources, including taxes.
Additional property taxes may be levied within city limits if the following bonds are approved. See here what the potential property tax increase would be.
PARKS AND RECREATION BONDS
This bond referendum will allow the city to borrow $85 million for community parks and recreation projects. Funding will go toward building a new aquatic center at Merrick-Moore Park and upgrading East End and Long Meadow parks.
New aquatic center
The $43 million project will be located adjacent to the Wheels Roller Rink at Merrick-Moore Park. According to the city, the multi-pool park and aquatic center will have “a zero-depth entry, a lazy river and a recreational swimming pool for ages and abilities.”
Ultimately, if this bond is approved, construction would begin in the fall of 2026 before opening in the summer of 2028.
The multi-pool park and aquatic center will have “a zero-depth entry, a lazy river and a recreational swimming pool for ages and abilities.”
City of Durham
East End and Long Meadow Parks
A new pool, playgrounds, sports field and courts and other improvements will be built at the two parks on Alston Avenue, according to the city.
The $42 million project will connect and make improvements to “two neighborhood parks rooted in segregation.”
The $42 million project will connect and make improvements to “two neighborhood parks rooted in segregation.”
City of Durham
The land for both parks was donated to Durham in 1932. Long Meadow Park was originally segregated and for whites only, and East End Park was for blacks.
Although the parks have been desegregated for decades, the city said the project will “unite two parks, creating a single park corridor” on the R. Kelly Bryant Bridge. If the bond is approved, construction would begin in the fall of 2026 before opening in the summer of 2028.
For more information on these projects, click here.
STREETS AND SIDEWALK BONDS
Approval of this bond referendum will allow Durham to borrow $115 million to use to build new sidewalks and repair old ones, along with repaving and street maintenance.
$60 million of that, the city said, will go toward 11 sidewalk projects.
These projects would add just over 12 miles of new sidewalks in 25 locations. This will ultimately help reduce road traffic deaths and serious injuries. If the bond passes, construction would begin in the spring of 2025.
$15 million of the funds will go toward sidewalk repairs. If the bond is approved, 20 miles of sidewalk repairs would begin in the summer or fall of 2025. That could take up to two years to complete.
$30 million will go to asphalting and street maintenance. The City of Durham estimated the funding would repave and repair 100 miles of streets.
If the bond is approved, those repairs and conservation would begin in the summer of 2025. It could take up to two construction seasons to complete.
For more information on these projects, click here.
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