Atlanta Voters to Decide on $250 Million Infrastructure Bond

"On March 17, Atlanta voters will determine whether to give Mayor Kasim Reed permission to borrow cash to pay for new streetscape upgrades, bike lanes, bridges, lighting, public art, and some public buildings," reports Thomas Whetley.

Whetley provides an overview of how the $250 million bond would be allotted: "Officials are asking to approve $188 million aimed at improving streetscapes, bridges, and parks, plus another batch of about $64 million that would fund city buildings. The bulk of that cash would be geared toward so-called citywide projects that have a large impact. Atlanta City Council members would oversee a smaller portion — roughly $70 million — to pay for infrastructure and building upgrades specific to their districts."

The city of Atlanta's website for the bond, or "Renew Atlanta 2015" as it's called, includes a map of projects that would be funded by the bond. The map included 229 citywide projects, as described above, as well as "various" local projects. Public meetings are continuing through February. According to Wheatley, members of the public can still influence the final list of projects to be awarded funding by the bond.