When Port City voters approved Wilmington's $38 million parks bond last fall, the 15 projects named were distant prospects. This year, the work begins.
In July, Parks and Recreation director Amy Beatty said the funding for the bond, which passed with 69 percent of the vote, becomes available, allowing the department to move forward.
With New Hanover County's population expected to swell over the next 20 years, Beatty said the projects allow the city to keep pace with the growth.
"If you look at the transportation bond project and the number of projects they have in various stages, they have done a good job at getting to work and fulfilling the commitment to citizens," she said. "We are prepared to do the same."
At last month's city council budget work session, the city council was briefed on the 2017-18 proposed budget, which included a possible 8.6 percent revaluation-induced tax break -- lowering the rate from its current 48.5 cents to 45.42 cents per $100. However, when factoring in several additions, including the parks bond, the rate comes in at 48.34 cents.
So what are taxpayers ponying up for?
Beatty said the projects have been prioritized into three tiers based on the size of the work, design requirements and the need in the community.
The first tier (1-3 years) includes the $20 million North Waterfront Park; the $10 million soccer complex (a location for which has not been set); $1.58 million construction of the first gym at Derick Davis Community Center; and resurfacing of the tennis courts at the Althea Gibson Tennis Complex ($40,000).
"It is like trying to choose your favorite child," Beatty said of determining the tiered projects. "They are all incredibly important, but it is impossible to get them done at once."
The projects will operate on different timetables depending on design needs and how intensive they are. Smaller projects like resurfacing, improvements and security enhancements are all jobs expected to be completed in-house and more quickly, Beatty said.
For larger projects, advertisements with requests for qualified architects and consultants will be put out next month to handle management since the parks department won't be adding any more staff.
For the North Waterfront Park, a separate request will be advertised for a construction manager to oversee the project. Beatty said the 6-acre park's design will begin this summer and construction should break ground next summer.
The second tier (3-5 years) of projects will see work on a new gym/multi-purpose at The Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, improvements at Greenfield Lake Park and Greenfield Grind, and Wade Park renovations.
The Derick Davis Community Gym was given priority over the MLK center because the latter already has an existing gym, Beatty said.
The third-tier (5-7 years) will include other projects like the Bradley Creek kayak launch, Municipal Golf Course improvements and other general renovations.
