Elected Officials to Consider Moving Up Northeast Park, Fairgrounds Construction Dates

On Thursday the Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency Board of Directors (IA Board) will consider re-prioritizing two Blueprint 2020 projects. The two projects involve improvements to the Fairgrounds and the construction of a Northeast Park.

The current Blueprint 2020 schedule calls for improvements to the Fairgrounds to begin in 2033 and the construction of the Northeast Park to begin in 2035.

However, elected officials at the June 27, 2019 Blueprint meeting directed staff to present cost considerations for advancing the Fairgrounds and the Northeast Park projects ahead of their current project prioritization.

The Blueprint staff is providing elected officials with two options:

  • The elected officials could vote to direct Blueprint to advance the Fairgrounds and Northeast Park projects ahead of three higher ranked projects (Lake Lafayette & St. Marks Linear Park, Monroe Adams Placemaking, and Midtown Placemaking).
  • The elected officials could vote to direct Blueprint to fund the Fairgrounds and Northeast Park projects through an additional $26 million bond. This direction would expedite the completion of these two projects and would provide for the implementation of the remaining quality of life projects consistent with the currently approved project prioritization. However, the additional cost of the $26 million bond to the Blueprint program is estimated to be $34.9 million based on current bond rates, which would increase debt service by approximately $2.1 million per year.

The Blueprint staff is recommending that the elected officials not change any construction dates and maintain current project prioritization.

The Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency meeting is Thursday, September 5, 2019 at 5:00 P.M in the City Commission Chambers.

Steve Stewart

Steve Stewart is the founder and editor of Tallahassee Reports which began in 2009 as an online blog. Steve received a Bachelors Degree from Clemson University in 1984 and a Masters degree in Political Science from FSU in 1990. He has been involved with state and local politics since arriving in Tallahassee in 1989.

View all posts by Steve Stewart →

9 Comments

  1. TONY
    TONY

    Wait a minute...….. Isn't Proctor Rd. one of the Roads considered for the Widening to relieve the Thomasville Rd Traffic? I believe it is. So, if you push this up then, it gets taken off the list of proposed routes...………..Hmm. WHO stands to benefit from that move?

  2. Jacob
    Jacob

    Bunch of crying ? people always don’t won’t nothing in this town

  3. Hope
    Hope

    Better roads, new schools?

    Funds will continue to be allocated to pay for future junkets to Amelia Island and Sandestin.

  4. Franklin
    Franklin

    This town is bonded out as far as the eye can see...and then some. Wait until the cash comes in for a change.

  5. Alex
    Alex

    Does this mean we will get Proctor Road paved from Centerville to Thomasville Road? It is my understanding that the School Board owns a large tract next to this property. Will we be getting a new Elem. School?

  6. Hope
    Hope

    In other words this is an official kickoff to political posturing-- Behavior intended to mislead and impress.

  7. Snidely Whiplash
    Snidely Whiplash

    Great news!!!
    It can only mean our elected officials have adjusted, adapted, and innovated a fool proof method to once again rake in the big money utilizing more secretive methods of graft, corruption, and kick backs right under the FBI's nose.
    This stuff has got to be rocket science compared to the 1/2 baked old school Godfather Movie shake down methods employed by Scott Maddox.
    Tallahassee Government Working For You!!!

    1. Snidely Whiplash
      Snidely Whiplash

      Most likely our esteemed elected officials picked up some fancy new tricks at the recent alcohol/weed smokin/sexathon AKA government retreat out of town!!!
      Their new fool proof plans might include having the contractors pay them off in untraceable Bit Coin.
      Heck its genius:
      The FBI does not even know what Bit Coin is!!!

  8. Bill Schack
    Bill Schack

    Of course they want to move things, and seem like they care. 2020 is right around the corner, and the decisions both Commissions have made the past few years have been nothing but bad for those living on the Northeast Side of town. I wonder if they will consider not adding more property taxes to fund the CSC? How far will they pander?
    May I suggest, stop voting for pandering and promises, and vote for ACTION. I know a guy. #ready

💬

Join the Conversation

Commenting is a benefit of your Tallahassee Reports subscription. Subscribe for $4.99/month or $50/year to participate.

Your subscription also unlocks our full archive, print e-editions, and supports local independent journalism.

Scroll to Top