Bond Fund Projects
Bond Fun Project Updates
Capital Improvements Progress Report - Updated March 2016
Bond Project Background
In 2005, the City Commissioners kicked off a much needed capital improvements program by authorizing the restoration and expansion of Decatur’s historic City Hall. This was soon followed by a comprehensive renovation of the exterior of the Decatur MARTA Station.
In September 2006, Decatur voters approved a bond referendum that provides the City of Decatur with $16.4 million for much-needed large capital improvement projects and provides the City Schools of Decatur with $16.5 million to support major capital needs at Decatur High School and Renfroe Middle School. This is the first general obligation debt for the city since 1955 and for the school system since the late 1950s.
The city’s $16.4 million will be used in four activity areas:
Transportation Improvements $4,902,000
Parks & Recreation $5,803,000
Public Works Facilities $4,275,000
Public Safety Facilities $1,420,000
Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) Bond Financing
In 2010, the City Commission approved issuance of $13.5 million in Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) bond financing for three capital projects:
Fire Station No. 1
Decatur Recreation Center
Eloise T. Leveritt Public Works Building
In 2013, the City Commission approved issuance of $32.3 million in Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) bond financing for the Beacon Municipal Center, which includes the following:
Decatur Police Department and Municipal Court
Ebster Recreation Center and Gym
City Schools of Decatur Central Office
Ebster Field and Stormwater Management Facility
Ebster Pool
Additional funding was provided from the Capital Improvements Fund balance and the HOST Fund.
Community Involvement
Potential projects and capital needs were identified through community recommendations contained in master plans and task force reports that had been completed during the decade prior to the bond referendum. Community involvement was a key component of all of these plans. Some of the resources used to define potential projects included the City’s Comprehensive Plan (updated 2005), Downtown Streetscapes Master Plan (1994), Strategic Plan (2000), Capital Needs Task Force Report (2002), Athletic Facilities Master Plan (2003), Preservation Corridor Master Plan (2005), Cemetery Master Plan (2006) and the Community Transportation Plan (to be completed in 2007). Intensive civic engagement and master planning for the Oakhurst Streetscape Improvements, the re-purposing of the Decatur Recreation Center and the redevelopment of the Beacon Municipal Center preceded major investments in these community resources.
Capital Improvements – Project Status
The following capital improvements have been completed:
Decatur City Hall (2006)
Decatur MARTA Station (2007)
Fire Station No. 1 (2012)
Fire Station No. 2 (2009)
Decatur Recreation Center (2012)
Eloise T. Leveritt Public Works Building (2014)
Glenlake Park (2010)
Decatur Cemetery (2012)
West Ponce de Leon Avenue-West Trinity Place Bicycle Lanes (2011)
Greenspace Acquisition and Improvement (on-going)
Sidewalk Improvement Program (on-going)
Athletic Field Lighting Improvements (2013)
Beacon Municipal Center (2015)
Downtown Decatur Storm Drainage Improvements – Phase 1 (2014)
Oakhurst Streetscape Improvements (2016)
Downtown Decatur Streetscape Improvements - Phase V (2016)
McKoy and Oakhurst Park Pavilions and Concession Buildings (2017)
The following capital improvements are under construction:
Downtown Decatur Storm Drainage Improvements – Phase 2
North McDonough Streetscape Improvements
Railroad Crossing Improvements at Candler and McDonough Streets
The following capital improvements are in planning:
Clairemont–Commerce-Church Street Bicycle Lane and Pedestrian Safety Improvements
Commerce Drive Cycle Track
Downtown Decatur – Extreme Makeover Edition
Construction in Decatur’s dynamic downtown can be noisy, messy and inconvenient. Keep up with what’s happening by going to Extreme Makeover website at decaturmakeover.com.
The City of Decatur is in compliance with Georgia Code (O.C.G.A. Section 13-10-91), which requires all public employers register and participate with E-verify. The City of Decatur has been participating in the E-Verify system since November 15, 2007. The City of Decatur ID number is 67951.
