See video presentation below.
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From The City of Bryant:
The Bryant City Council voted tonight to forward residents the opportunity to complete several improvement projects within the city, all without passing any additional taxes.
In 2006 Bryant voters passed a bond that allowed Bishop Park to be built. When this bond was issued, payoff was not expected to be achieved until 2031. Instead this bond will reach maturity in 2019. Years before it was expected.
The reason for this early pay off? The tremendous growth of our city.
Bryant has almost doubled its population twice in the past 20 years. While that continued growth has many positives, it brings with it a very unique set of challenges that the city can no longer ignore. Challenges such as street connectivity and traffic congestion within the city, public safety concerns top the list as well as the added expectations and needs placed on our parks department.
It was this continued growth of Bryant that led to the following three projects that will be placed on the ballot before voters this August
Parks and Recreation Improvement: Financing improvements at Mills Park and Bishop Park, including enhancements to The Center at Bishop Park. This will also upgrade the existing sports fields, address stormwater issues, and finance the construction of a new city park north of I-30 adding to the overall quality of life for Bryant residents and families with a maximum cost of 4.5 million.
Fire Improvement : Financing the cost of firefighting facility improvements by constructing two new fire stations. These new fire stations will replace outdated Station #2 and Station #3 with a maximum cost of 5.5 million.
Street Improvement: Financing the cost of construction of the new Bryant Parkway. Bryant Parkway will be built from the I-30 overpass at Echo Lake Boulevard and Raymar Road, south to Highway 183. New on-off ramps for the overpass will be built by the state highway department. Voting FOR the Bryant Parkway will relieve congestion on Reynolds Road, and provide a safer and more convenient north-south roadway. The maximum cost will be $15.7 million, without raising taxes.
Bryant residents will choose August 9th in a special election whether or not to re-issue those bonds and focus the $23 million dollars towards moving Bryant forward. Making critical progress in public safety, ease of travel, economic development and quality of life, all without raising taxes and by only extending the original bond date by three years.
Mayor Dabbs stated, “The grass roots efforts of numerous citizens, chamber and business leaders, city administration, city council, and committees to put together a complete move forward plan for the city is a huge step towards more positive growth for Bryant. I am proud of everyone’s collaborative effort to get to tonight’s decision to place these measures before the voters. Now it is up to the voters to go to the polls in August to reduce traffic congestion, improve public safety, and expand our parks services for the continued growing needs of our wonderful city.”
Judge Arey “North and South routes leading from I-30 are very much needed throughout Saline County and are vital to economic growth. The proposed Bryant Parkway would have a huge impact on not only the City of Bryant, but Saline County as well.”
On June 1st, 2016, Dana Poindexter, Assistant to the Mayor spoke at the regular WIN (Women in Networking) meeting held at The Center at Bishop Park in Bryant to elaborate on this plan.
Video courtesy of Thelma Poole