$34.7 million in new spending for Kingsport, Tennessee
There were three bonds that were voted on at the November 18, 2008 Kingsport, Tennessee Board of Mayor and Alderman. A total of $34,753,000 was voted on and passed.
This was an “Initial” resolution, which means the city staff is authorized to go into the bond market to make a deal subject to BMA final approval.
The three bonds are as follows.
| General Improvement Bond | $12,305,000 |
| MeadowView Convention Center Expansion Bond | $15,305,000 |
| V.O. Dobbins renovation Bond | $7,143,000 |
The items in green in the table below gives the details for the General Improvement Bond ($12,305,000) and it would have been nice if the items in the General Improvement Bond were listed separately. Politics, I am sure has something to do with it, because of the way it is listed. For example, if a BMA member had a strong desire against one of the items below in green, but was for the balance of the items, then it may force the BMA member to vote for something he/she was against to get the good items.
I have written many posts concerning the MeadowView Convention Center Expansion. This expansion of the convention center in my view, caters to the special interests. The current convention center has not made money and the taxpayers are keeping it afloat. Johnson City, Tennessee Millennium Centre has not made money since it was built in 1999. I do believe that the City Manager of Johnson City was John Campbell when it was planned and built. Now, John Campbell, who is now the City Manager for Kingsport wants to do it here.
On the V.O. Dobbins Center, Alderman Marsh and Shull voted against this project, because it had grown into something bigger than in the earlier discussions. Both, Marsh and Shull expressed concerns that the city was getting into the business of competing with the private sector.
Alderman Marsh stated that the City of Kingsport is attacking its own taxpayers by competing with businesses that has rental property that rent to nonprofits. The city is looking to have as renters, non-profits that are renting elsewhere in the city. For example, if the city is successful, United Way would leave the downtown area to relocate to the V.O.Dobbins Center and thus steal customers away from the private sector.
With the final approval of the three bonds below, the total debt would be $190.7 million and this does not include the aquatic center. Alderman Marsh has stated that the debt could go as high as $250 million in the next few years.
If you have a concern about this debt or the items below, then voice your concern to the BMA members. You can express your concerns by going to the meetings, write letters to the editor, talk to them on the telephone, leave a comment on this blog
| K Play Park and Recreation Facility Improvements (Grant Match) | $400,000 | |
| Various Road Improvements listed below (items 1-5) | ||
| 1. Cleek Road Phase I – This project consists of adding width to both New Beasonwell Rd. and Cleek Rd. at their intersection with Stone Drive (SR 1, US 1IW) to provide for the separation of left, thru and right turns, reduce delays and improve the alignment between left turning traffic. Also included in this project is the addition of a left turn lane on Stone Dr. westbound for traffic turning onto Cleek Rd. as well as the extension of the eastbound left turn. This project would improve approximately 500′ of New Beasonwell Rd. and 770′ of Cleek Rd. | $825,000 | |
| 2. Harbor Chapel Road – This project would provide a wider two lane roadway with a multi-use mobility path along Harbor Chapel Drive from just south of Skyland Dr. to Cooks Valley Rd. and also improve the alignment of Cooks Valley Road between Harbor Chapel Road and Harbor Springs Dr. At the Road Workshop this was presented as a two phase project due to maintenance of traffic, however at this time we propose that it be design as one project and we will take care of the maintenance of traffic through the contract documents. | $1,680,000 | |
| 3. Clinchfield / Center Intersection Improvements – This project includes the resurfacing of the intersection, mast arm traffic signal, additional right turn lanes and an additional lane in the area of the old railroad bed to align the two Clinchfield St. approaches and provide a left turn northbound. This will remove the grade problem the railroad tracks caused and provide for reduced delays and confusion. | $385,000 | |
| 4. Netherland Inn Road / Industry Drive / Center Street Roundabout – This project would construct a modern roundabout at this intersection, similar to the one built at the intersections of Watauga / Gibson Mill / Ravine. This would Increase safety and reduce delay and confusion experienced at the existing intersection and is an integral part of the development of the Kingsport Riverwalk Redevelopment. | $935,000 | |
| 5. Rock Springs Road Improvements – This project involves upgrading Rock Springs Road from the southwesterly City Limits to Rock Springs Drive (SR 347) to an improved two-lane section. It will provide wider travel lanes, shoulder and some realignments at key locations to improve safety. | $1,175,000 | |
| Stormwater Management Project – Modeling Study, Land Acquisition, Pipe | $700,000 | |
| Riverwalk Project – Land acquisition, engineering design studies, select infrastructure improvements | $600,000 | |
| School Projects – land acquisition, expand band room, security modifications for school entrances | $1,100,000 | |
| Library Design and renovations – site assessment and preliminary design | $200,000 | |
| Justice Center – design and architect fees (Total cost $4,000,000) | $260,000 | |
| Downtown Parking Garage – 300 space garage with retail and office space | $3,800,000 | |
| Bond #1 General Improvement Bond total for above items | $12,305,000 | |
| Bond #2 MeadowView Convention Center Expansion Bond | $15,305,000 | |
| Bond #3 V.O. Dobbins Renovation Bond | $7,143,000 | |
| Total for all three bonds | $34,753,000 |