news-record.com

GREENSBORO - Greensboro residents voted for new roads, a competitive swimming pool and housing programs.

But they turned down plans to renovate War Memorial Auditorium.

Three of the city's four bond questions passed with comfortable leads. Election results were complete but unofficial Tuesday night.

The three items that voters approved - $134 million for transportation projects, $20 million for parks and recreation improvements and $1 million for housing initiatives - are expected to add 1.88 cents to the city tax rate next year.

That should add $37.60 to the property tax bill of a homeowner with a $200,000 home.

"This will mean continued improvements in our infrastructure," said Denise Turner of the Greensboro Partnership. Turner helped to organize the bond campaigns.

The vote was disappointing for supporters of the auditorium - who have argued that the city should bulldoze the 1949 building if voters aren't willing to renovate.

"What we are going to do with it is going to be a big problem," said City Councilman Robbie Perkins.

The transportation bond passed with 59 percent of the vote.

The $134 million will pay for the design and construction of dozens of projects, including major road renovations and new sidewalks.

The projects include $26 million to upgrade Horse Pen Creek Road, $11 million for the Cone Boulevard and Neal Town Road Connector, $7 million for the downtown greenway, and $1.1 million for new sidewalks.

The parks and recreation bond passed by 58 percent. Of the $20 million approved, $3 million will be spent on Barber Park upgrades, $2.6 million will be spent on improved athletic fields, and $1 million will go to Gateway Gardens.

But the big-ticket item in the parks and recreation bond package is the $12 million competitive swim center, which was added onto the list of bond items by the City Council at the recommendation of Councilman Mike Barber .

Bond proponents promoted the whole parks and recreation package over its one big-ticket item. City voters had twice before turned down chances to use public funds to pay for pool projects.

"This will be a major boost to the swim community. This will be a wonderful opportunity," said Kevin Green, a parks and recreation bond proponent.

On Tuesday night, City Council members already were throwing out suggestions for where the new pool could be located in the city.

The housing bond - the smallest city initiative and the very last item on the ballot - passed with 57 percent of the vote.

The money will be used for programs like home-buyer education, foreclosure counseling or down-payment assistance.

"Housing is just key to everything," said Beth McKee-Huger , who advocated for the housing bond. "This gives us some important tools to be able to stabilize that foundation."

In October, City Council members promised to wait until the economy improves to sell the bonds.

At the earliest, that will be in late 2009.

The War Memorial Auditorium supporters were disappointed that the renovation plans failed, with 57 percent voting no.

This is the second time voters turned down the project. Plans called for renovating the theater inside the shell of the old building.

"There is no easy fix," said Coliseum Director Matt Brown. "There is no short-term Band-aid to fix its deficiencies."

Contact Amanda Lehmert at 373-7075 or amanda.lehmert@news-record.com