Hospitality tax to fund wave of parks projects
$27.6 million to be spent on improvements, renovations
Published: Wednesday, October 3, 2007 - 8:16 pm
By Ben Szobody
STAFF WRITER
PDF | list of parks projects and tax funding, as well as a preliminary financing schedule: http://greenvilleonline.com/assets/pdf/BS87520103.PDF
Northwood Little League, the MESA soccer complex and Camp Spearhead are on the front of a $27.6 million wave in parks and tourism projects to be funded next year on the strength of a new county restaurant tax.
Dirt has moved on five projects already, and a new timeline released this week shows 15 of 18 will get some or all of the tax money they need in 2008.
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The revenue will fund a laundry list of improvements from water parks to ballfields and downtown arts attractions.
The council approved the so-called "hospitality tax" last year with the support of sports teams and business leaders, and over the opposition of some conservative activists.
Smith said some projects open for bids this month include:
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The MESA soccer complex initially funded by the county in 2004 already has land and about half a dozen fields, Smith said, with seven or eight more to be developed by the county along with parking and restrooms.
Some bidding for the project opens Sunday. The complex gets $3 million in 2008....../
