Kannapolis voters will have the opportunity to vote for up to $40 million in General Obligation Bonds for several priority parks and recreation projects this November.

The bond projects include constructing the new Eastside (1100 Midlake Avenue) and Westside (Davidson-Concord Road – NC 73) Parks; constructing the Irish Buffalo Creek Greenway Phases 2 & 3 and Rocky River Greenway, the new Glenn Avenue Park athletic fields and the Gem Theatre Phase 3 Renovations.

Kannapolis has not built a traditional park or new athletic fields in over 20 years. The priority of these projects has been determined over the last few years with public input through surveys and community meetings. The properties for the Eastside and Westside park projects have been purchased and master plans completed. The City has received a $500,000 grant to help defer the total cost of the Eastside Park and $245,000 to help defer costs of the Irish Buffalo Creek Greenway.

Kannapolis has never had a General Obligation (GO) Bond. A General Obligation Bond is a way for the City to borrow money to pay for major capital projects. Construction of the projects could begin immediately on a staggered basis and must be completed within ten years. The possible property tax rate increase for the next seven years, if the GO Bond is approved, could be $0.046 cents.

Park and Recreation Priority Bond Project Details

• Eastside Park - Construction of a 33-acre park on the City-owned Midlake Road property with Lake Fisher frontage. This park would include a dog park, splash pad, walking trail, fitness stations, restrooms, paddleboats, picnic shelters, and a playground.
• Westside Park - Construction of a 55-acre park on City-owned land with frontage on Highway 73 (Davidson-Concord Rd). This park would also have playgrounds, access to the Rocky River greenway, softball/baseball fields; multi-use rectangle fields for soccer/football/lacrosse, restrooms, and picnic shelters.
• Glenn Avenue – 76-acre site for the development of athletic fields and other passive park features.
• Irish Buffalo Creek Greenway phase 2 – Construction of approximately one mile of greenway from Rogers Lake Road to Hwy 3. 
• Irish Buffalo Creek Greenway phase 3 - Construction of a greenway (3/4 mile) from Hwy 3 to Pine Street near Fred L. Wilson Elementary.
• Rocky River Greenway - Construction of a greenway west from an existing parking lot at Shiloh Church Road to the Mecklenburg County line and South from the current stub out to Hwy 73 at the bridge.
• Gem Theatre Renovations – Phase III - Expanded concessions and lobby area and 2^nd Floor Improvements.

For more information visit: www.kannapolisparksbond.com.