Last updated: 12th October 2005

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City Sales Tax Ballot Propositions:

Vote "YES" for Propositions 1, 4, 5, and 6 to Help Create the Columbia PedNet
PedNet Coalition Board Neutral on Propositions 2 and 3

8th November, 2005 Election

Six public funding propositions will be presented to Columbia voters on November 8th. Several of these have important consequences for the development of a bicycle/pedestrian network in Columbia.

After studying the details, the PedNet Coalition Board has decided to endorse four of the six propositions and to recommend PedNet members vote "YES" on Propositions 1, 4, 5, and 6. This election represents an unprecedented opportunity to establish public funding for Columbia's bicycle/pedestrian network, making our city more accessible for walking, cycling and wheelchair use. See below for a detailed decription of how each of Propositions 1, 4, 5, and 6 will benefit PedNet's mission.

The PedNet Coalition Board is neutral on Propositions 2 and 3, because these do not affect PedNet's mission one way or the other.

PROPOSITION 1: Extend 1/8c Parks tax for 5 years (NO INCREASE) to raise $12.5m for parks and trails masterplans

If this tax extension is approved, $4m will be used for acquisition and construction of new trails and greenbelts, including:

  • Connector from the Hinkson Trail extension (already funded from Grindstone Nature Area to Stephens Lake Park) west to Rockhill Park - This trail link will connect downtown, campus, and the East Campus neighborhood with the Hinkson Trail running north-south close to old Highway 63, providing trail access to Grindstone Nature Area and Stephens Lake Park.
  • Hominy Branch Trail from Stephens Lake Park north-east to Woodridge Park - This trail will provide a safe bicycle and pedestrian connection to the east of Highway 63, connecting downtown with Keene Street, Regional Hospital, and eastern subdivisions.
  • Scotts Branch Trail from the MKT Trail just west of Scott Boulevard north to Russell Property - This new trail will connect the MKT Trail in south-west Columbia with the Russell Property close to Fairview School.
Additional projects will include new park acquisition, neighborhood park development, and improvements/maintenance to existing parks.

PEDNET ASSESSMENT: The proposed trail projects will bring a Columbia Loop Trail close to realization. After construction, a 25-mile recreational loop will exist with two missing 2-mile sections: between the Russell Property and Cosmo Park on the west side and between Stephens Lake Park and Oakland Park on the east side. Many sections of this loop will also serve commuters. The Hinkson Trail to Rockhill Park connector will serve commuters and students. The Hominy Branch Trail will serve commuters. The addition of new parks will provide new nodes for future trail/pedway development.

PEDNET RECOMMENDATION: These projects will significantly advance PedNet's mission of creating a comprehensive bicycle and pedestrian network. VOTE "YES" ON PROPOSITION 1

PROPOSITION 2: Extend 1/8c Parks tax for 2 years (NO INCREASE) to raise $5m for multi-purpose athletic building, ice rink, and covered farmers' market site

If this tax extension is approved, a new multi-purpose building containing athletic facilities, an ice rink, and a site for a covered farmers' market will be constructed.

PEDNET ASSESSMENT: The project will increase recreational opportunities in Columbia and create a center for community activities, but not impact PedNet's core mission.

PEDNET POSITION: NEUTRAL ON PROPOSITION 2

PROPOSITION 3: Extend 1/4c Capital Improvements tax for 3 years (NO INCREASE) to raise $15m for public safety projects

If this tax extension is approved, two new fire stations and a new police training facility will be constructed, seven new fire trucks will be purchased, and twenty-one warning sirens will be replaced.

PEDNET ASSESSMENT: The project will increase public safety in Columbia, but not impact PedNet's core mission.

PEDNET POSITION: NEUTRAL ON PROPOSITION 3

PROPOSITION 4: Extend 1/4c Capital Improvements tax for 7 years (NO INCREASE) to raise $35m for streets and sidewalks
PROPOSITION 5: Introduce new 1/8c Capital Improvements tax for 10 years (NEW TAX) to raise $25m for streets and sidewalks

If this 1/4c tax extension and new 1/8c tax are approved, $4.5m will be dedicated to sidewalk installation and improvements inside the existing city. About half of this revenue will be used to establish Safe Routes to School, enabling children attending elementary schools in Columbia to walk to school safely. The project will include the following:

  • West Boulevard Elementary School: east side of West Boulevard
  • Shepard Boulevard Elementary School: west side of Audubon Drive
  • Derby Ridge Elementary School: north side of Smiley Lane
  • Blue Ridge Elementary School: north side of Leeway Drive
  • Mill Creek Elementary School: east side of Sinclair Road
Revenues will also be used for new streets and street improvements including Scott Boulevard from Route KK to Rollins Road; Brown School Road from Highway 763 to Providence Road; Providence Road from Vandiver to Blue Ridge; as well as landscaping, corridor preservation and traffic safety. All of the new and refurbished streets will be built to Columbia's new Street Design Standards, as advocated by the PedNet Coalition and established by City ordinance in June, 2004. Arterial and major collector street designs include an 8' or 10' pedway, a 5' sidewalk, and either a 6' striped bike lanes or a wide travel lane to accommodate cyclists.

PEDNET ASSESSMENT: The Safe Route to School program will increase the safety and comfort of pedestrians close to elementary school, potentially impacting thousands of children who live within 1 mile of their school but do not currently walk because of the absence or inconsistency of sidewalks. A total of $4.5m will be spent on sidewalks for existing streets, representing a 5-10-fold increase over current expenditure. New streets will be built with sidewalks, pedways and bicycle lanes as mandated by the new Street Design Standards.

PEDNET RECOMMENDATION: These projects will significantly advance PedNet's mission of creating a comprehensive bicycle and pedestrian network. VOTE "YES" ON PROPOSITIONS 4 AND 5

PROPOSITION 6: Increase development fee from 10c/sq.ft. to 50c/sq.ft., phased in over 5 years (NOT A SALES TAX; INCREASED DEVELOPER FEE) to raise $19m for arterial/collector streets

Revenues will be used for new arterial and collector streets serving new developments. All of these streets will accommodate pedestrians and cyclists according to the new Street Design Standards.

PEDNET ASSESSMENT: This increase in the developer fee will insure new development pays more of its share of new infrastructure costs than is currently the case. All new streets will be built with sidewalks, pedways and bicycle lanes as mandated by the new Street Design Standards.

PEDNET RECOMMENDATION: This proposition supports PedNet's mission by insuring that all new development is connected with bicycle and pedestrian paths. VOTE "YES" ON PROPOSITION 6

Notes:

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The PedNet Coalition
of Columbia, MO
pednet@pednet.org