BRING YOUR CHECKBOOK AND SPARE CASH

March 8th at I believe 7pm at the First Baptist Church of Indian Trail there will be a Town Hall meeting. My understanding the Mayor and Council would like as many citizens as possible to show up and voice their opinions on the direction of the town, what services they would like to see, what they are willing to PAY for, what road improvements are important, town hall construction and so on. This type of meeting can only be of assistance to the town if a good number of concerned citizens show up. The turn out for the discussions on Chestnut bypass and Land Use process were less than stellar. Hopefully, the turnout for this town hall meeting will increase ten fold.
The reason I indicated to all to bring their checkbooks and spare cash is the town is looking for guidance from the citizens. Not surprisingly, the price tag on important projects are going way up. There is obviously, just so much money to go around. Whether from the budget, or the creative measures in order to build roads or buildings.

The price tag for the New Town Hall at the current size of 30,000 sq ft is approximately $8.2 million dollars. $250 per sq foot and that is unfurnished I believe. Tack on about another million or so to furnish. Unless there are changes to the budget we have 1.5 million dollars designated into a NewTown Hall fund.

The other problem facing the town is lack of adequate roads. The Chestnut bypass at last glance had a price tag of $25 to 30 million dollars. Judging from the way DOT builds roads in this area that will be in a minimum of 25 to 30 years unless something like developer build out or private investment occurs.

Monroe Road = If the DOT TIP stays the way MUMPO passed it the other night then we have the potential of 4.3 million dollars for study? Not contruction at this point though the study probably won't require all 4.3 million there might be some construction funds there. The quickest alternative or band aid for this road would be a 3rd lane that would change direction depending on rush hours. Probably 5-8 years out for that fix. Never for the 4 lanes divided that is meant to go there considering its an unfunded project now and 10 other projects ahead of it. Project cost listed at 31 million but probably closer to 40 some million. But...as seen this week anything is possible. Look no further than the Rea Rd extension that with the help of private funding from a needy developer and the help of a lot of influential people, the project jumped 92 spots to become partially funded for a two lane road...though 4 lanes and a larger project is needed in that area.

Faith Church Road extension could be built faster than Monroe Road could be expanded due to the developer activity all the way to Wesley Chapel and beyond. Unknown what the cost associated with that road would be but just for giggles lets say 35 million dollars.

Indian Trail Road....something like 7 to 8 million plus a million or so for the intersection at Monroe Road. Anyone ever traveling that road knows what a backup is, and it will only get worse. I believe that road is scheduled for the time frame of 2008-2010...or so???

I think I can stop at the over 100 million dollar price tag. The road projects typically carry a 20% match by the town so for every 1million dollars 200,000 is needed from the town. Keep in mind that each penny increase in the tax (currently .10 on the 100) has a net effect of putting a little over 200,000 dollars into the bank for Indian Trail. Creative funding and private investment will take care of some of the bill but we the taxpayers are the ones paying for the improvements and that is why this meeting is so very important. What are we willing to pay for services or roads or buildings???? The decisions have to be made because the cost goes up daily. Think about it and share your thoughts and opinions at the March 8th town hall meeting.