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25 August 2003, 09:28 PM
Fort Worth wants ideas for next bond package
By Anna M. Tinsley - Star-Telegram Staff Writer
http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/local/6612877.htm
FORT WORTH - City officials are seeking public input for a proposed Feb. 7 bond package that could include improvements to libraries, community centers, parks and streets.
Eight public meetings have been scheduled across the city from Tuesday through Sept. 18 to hear residents' requests for possible projects.
"The bond package is for projects to make the city of Fort Worth a much better place to live -- improved streets, improved drainage to stop flooding, and more," said Councilman Chuck Silcox, chairman of the council committee heading up the bond election effort.
"City staff has some projects they believe are important for the city, and most council members have projects in mind," he said. "But there will be citizens who want things the staff and council might not be aware of."
The last bond election was in 1998.
Voters approved a $120 million package for projects including new streets, a library, fire stations and improvements to the Fort Worth Convention Center.
Typically, bond elections are called every four to five years to raise money for building or improving long-lasting facilities for which there isn't money in the general fund.
Assistant City Manager Charles Boswell has said the city could handle a $183 million program over five years or a $223 million program over six years. But city leaders have yet to set an amount.
"It's important people come out to these meetings and find out what the city is proposing and have an opportunity to make suggestions to help their proposals," Councilman Clyde Picht said.
Many council members are also meeting individually with neighborhood leaders and residents in their districts to get a better handle on needs.
Picht said he has talked with residents about the possibility of a new library in his southwest Fort Worth district. And he learned that residents were concerned about possible blight in the neighborhood if the current library closes.
"I was looking at the positive impact rather than the other side of closing the library," Picht said. "Now I know if we're looking at doing something about the library, we would want to do something positive for the space we leave vacant."
But officials warn that there won't be enough money for all the requests.
While the bond package is expected to fund basic city improvements and needs, millions of dollars could also be used for projects on city leaders' wish lists, possibly including the Southwest Parkway toll road and the Trinity River Vision.
"We're going to have a lot more wants than we have money to pay for," Silcox said. "We have to be good stewards of the taxpayers' money."
Bond meetings
Public meetings are scheduled in each council district to solicit resident input about the proposed 2004 bond program:
• District 8 -- 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, Greenway Church, 1816 Delga St.
• District 4 -- 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Eastern Hills High School, 5701 Shelton Road
• District 6 -- 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Southwest Community Center, 6300 Welch Ave.
• District 5 -- 7-9 p.m. Sept. 4, Dunbar High School, 5700 Ramey Ave.
• Districts 2 and 4 -- 7-9 p.m. Sept. 8, North Fort Worth Baptist Church, Room 304, 5801 N. Interstate 35W
• District 7 -- 7-9 p.m. Sept. 10, Arlington Heights High School Library, 4501 West Freeway
• District 9 -- 7-9 p.m. Sept. 11, Travis Avenue Baptist Church, 717 W. Berry St.
• District 3 -- 7-9 p.m. Sept. 18, R.D. Evans Community Center, 3242 Lackland Road
By Anna M. Tinsley - Star-Telegram Staff Writer
http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/local/6612877.htm
FORT WORTH - City officials are seeking public input for a proposed Feb. 7 bond package that could include improvements to libraries, community centers, parks and streets.
Eight public meetings have been scheduled across the city from Tuesday through Sept. 18 to hear residents' requests for possible projects.
"The bond package is for projects to make the city of Fort Worth a much better place to live -- improved streets, improved drainage to stop flooding, and more," said Councilman Chuck Silcox, chairman of the council committee heading up the bond election effort.
"City staff has some projects they believe are important for the city, and most council members have projects in mind," he said. "But there will be citizens who want things the staff and council might not be aware of."
The last bond election was in 1998.
Voters approved a $120 million package for projects including new streets, a library, fire stations and improvements to the Fort Worth Convention Center.
Typically, bond elections are called every four to five years to raise money for building or improving long-lasting facilities for which there isn't money in the general fund.
Assistant City Manager Charles Boswell has said the city could handle a $183 million program over five years or a $223 million program over six years. But city leaders have yet to set an amount.
"It's important people come out to these meetings and find out what the city is proposing and have an opportunity to make suggestions to help their proposals," Councilman Clyde Picht said.
Many council members are also meeting individually with neighborhood leaders and residents in their districts to get a better handle on needs.
Picht said he has talked with residents about the possibility of a new library in his southwest Fort Worth district. And he learned that residents were concerned about possible blight in the neighborhood if the current library closes.
"I was looking at the positive impact rather than the other side of closing the library," Picht said. "Now I know if we're looking at doing something about the library, we would want to do something positive for the space we leave vacant."
But officials warn that there won't be enough money for all the requests.
While the bond package is expected to fund basic city improvements and needs, millions of dollars could also be used for projects on city leaders' wish lists, possibly including the Southwest Parkway toll road and the Trinity River Vision.
"We're going to have a lot more wants than we have money to pay for," Silcox said. "We have to be good stewards of the taxpayers' money."
Bond meetings
Public meetings are scheduled in each council district to solicit resident input about the proposed 2004 bond program:
• District 8 -- 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, Greenway Church, 1816 Delga St.
• District 4 -- 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Eastern Hills High School, 5701 Shelton Road
• District 6 -- 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Southwest Community Center, 6300 Welch Ave.
• District 5 -- 7-9 p.m. Sept. 4, Dunbar High School, 5700 Ramey Ave.
• Districts 2 and 4 -- 7-9 p.m. Sept. 8, North Fort Worth Baptist Church, Room 304, 5801 N. Interstate 35W
• District 7 -- 7-9 p.m. Sept. 10, Arlington Heights High School Library, 4501 West Freeway
• District 9 -- 7-9 p.m. Sept. 11, Travis Avenue Baptist Church, 717 W. Berry St.
• District 3 -- 7-9 p.m. Sept. 18, R.D. Evans Community Center, 3242 Lackland Road