Sidewalks, Streetscapes and Housing Supply: How the newly approved bond package will enhance our community
By: Nicole Eaton, Charlotte Communications & Marketing
On Tuesday, Nov. 6, Charlotte voters hit the polls and approved all three bonds (housing, transportation and neighborhood improvements) on the ballot. This source of funding projects will allow the city to pay for projects that improve infrastructure and enhance quality of life in Charlotte.
“I am so proud that our community has come together to overwhelmingly support the city bond package that will benefit all of Charlotte. Charlotte will continue to make strides in transportation infrastructure, in neighborhood improvement and in our ability to supply safe and affordable housing options for residents of all income levels.“ — Mayor Vi Lyles, City of Charlotte
About the 2018 Bond Referendum
Bonds are very important to the City of Charlotte because they fund things in the city’s Community Investment Plan (CIP) like new roads and sidewalks, curb and gutter in neighborhoods and affordable housing. A bond is like a loan and allows the city to pay for projects over a longer period of time. Voters must authorize the spending for a package of projects.
The 2018 bond referendum was $223.08 million and divided into three categories: housing, neighborhood improvement and transportation. This is the third bond cycle of the current CIP and only one more cycle in 2020 remains.
Housing Bonds
This year’s package included $50 million. This will go toward the city’s Housing Diversity Program to increase the supply of safe, decent and affordable housing for residents of all income levels. The Housing Diversity Program not only addresses the need for new construction, it also helps preserve existing housing through rehabilitation of both single and multifamily housing units.
Neighborhood Improvement Bonds
For neighborhood improvements, $55 million will go toward projects and programs that address infrastructure needs in the city’s established neighborhoods and emerging high-growth areas. These are things like streets, sidewalks, greenways and bike lanes that connect the city. Two programs that will benefit are the city’s Comprehensive Neighborhood Improvement Program (CNIP) and public private redevelopment along the Independence Boulevard corridor area. CNIP areas include Prosperity, Whitehall/Ayrsley, SouthPark, West Trade/Rozzelles Ferry, Sunset/Beatties Ford and Central/Albemarle/Shamrock.
Transportation Bonds
The bulk of bonds are in the transportation category with $118.08 million dedicated to projects that provide safe, convenient and reliable transportation options. A major focus is on projects that tie into Vision Zero and improve safety for all. Transportation projects include transit access and infrastructure like bridges, trails, sidewalks and streets. Projects include:
- Applied Innovation Corridor
- Bicycle Travel
- Cross Charlotte Trail
- Dixie Berryhill Area Roads
- Independence Area Sidewalk and Bikeway Improvements
- Land Acquisition and Street Connections
- Monroe Road Streetscape
- Northeast Corridor Infrastructure (NECI)
- Park South Drive Extension
- Repair and Replace Bridges
- Sidewalk and Pedestrian Safety
- Upgrade Traffic Control Devices and Traffic Signals
What’s Next
Some of the projects listed above are already in progress or are ongoing programs. Some might be in the planning stages, public input stage or in construction. Visit http://charlottefuture.com to learn more about how the city is investing in our community with bonds. There is one more bond cycle in 2020 that will continue to fund these projects.
Looking for additional information about bonds? Watch the video below.
