City staff earmarks $182 million for capital-improvement projects

The city is moving forward more than $180 million in capital improvements during the next 10 years. However, it is warning that falling property-tax revenues could put some projects at risk.

City officials had promised to perform many projects that were approved by a sales-tax referendum, but those promises were based on the projection that the tax would bring in $8.2 million.

It’s currently generating $5 million.

“We’re going to have to take projects off the list,” warned City Manager Bob Bartolotta. “They’re all worthy projects, but the money isn’t there.”

Fifty-two capital-improvement projects are currently featured on the list, with 50 of them having dedicated funding sources. The total estimated cost of doing those projects today is $182 million.

The work falls in six different categories:

• Critical infrastructure, such as the replacement and rehabilitation of bridges and federally mandated upgrade of the police-radio system;
• Enhancement projects, such as street resurfacing and sidewalk construction;
• Economic-development projects, such as Newtown redevelopment and Lido Beach erosion control;
• Transportation projects, such as the bayfront-connectivity plan and new roundabouts;
• Quality-of-life projects, such as phase II of Payne Park construction and Lido Beach pavilion improvements;
• Sustainability, such as stormwater improvements and Whitaker Bayou Greenway Park.

To download a PDF listing all the projects and their costs, click here.

Contact Robin Roy at [email protected].