3:36 p.m.
ALACHUA COUNTY -- Today the Alachua County Commission authorized County staff to proceed with the issuance of Public Improvement Revenue Bonds in the amount of $79.15 million. They also approved the following list of projects to be funded by the bond issue:
Customer Service Needs ($41.25M)
Judicial Services Center ($33.55M)
Renovation of State Attorney's Office for non-court related functions ($7.7M)
Public Safety Needs ($26.9M)
Jonesville Fire Station ($2.9M)
Jail Dormitory & Barracks ($5.4M)
CR 337 [SR 26 to county line] ($8.3M)
CR 236 [US 441 to I-75] ($3.5M)
Traffic Management System [signalization project] ($2.0M)
SW 8th Avenue [connect to 61st St.] ($3.0M)
Multiple Sidewalk Projects ($1.6M)
Hull Road Bikeway Project [Forest Park to Park-n-Ride] ($200,000)
Park Needs ($11M)
SE 35th Street Community Park ($690,000)
San Felasco Park Nature Center ($219,000)
Jonesville Recreation & Aquatic Center ($9.9M)
Kanapaha Park Shelter & Roller Rink Resurfacing ($192,000)
Total Project Estimates to be bonded - $79.15 million
The parks projects are scheduled to begin in 2007. It is estimated that building construction projects will begin sometime in late 2008 after a comprehensive design phase is completed.
The bond issue includes $19 million for transportation projects to be added to the existing $43 million in transportation projects currently underway.
In speaking of the bond issue County Manager Randall H. Reid said, "This Commission should be very proud of the steps they are taking to maintain our existing infrastructure and build for the future. This bond issue tackles the priority projects in three areas: Customer Service, Public Safety, and Parks." He continued saying, "Over the last two years this Commission has allocated over $60 million for transportation challenges alone. This represents a significant first step in tackling the enormous challenge of maintaining and expanding our transportation infrastructure."
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