AG 2002 10 21 (Regular) - Laserfiche WebLink

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infrastructure. Funds for implementation, however, will be dramatically impacted if the state withholds Concord's money again this year. This budget also continues the funding to establish an internal traffic signal maintenance and operations division within the Streets and Traffic Department. These new positions were frozen in FY 2001-2002 when the State withheld funds. The first phase of a Concord computerized traffic signal system is finally taking place with the completion of the NCDOT/Concord funded project at the northern end of US 29. Expanding personnel will enable the city to react more quickly to signal malfunctions and to also make needed changes that will enable traffic to flow more smoothly, something that is greatly lacking at many intersections still relying on NCDOT maintenance. While a great deal of work continues at the local level, we must also continue lobbying efforts ,at the State and Federal levels for transportation dollars. 1-85 and'the corridors leading to it' continue to suffer from great congestion in Concord. Many State streets running through the City are in great need for maintenance and the difference in the quality of the state streets versus those maintained locally is becoming very noticeable. We must work together in the region to meet these crucial needs. Air Growth pressures continue at the Concord Regional Airport. The need for more hangar space is documented by a waiting list and the new hangars completed this year are already leased. The runway extension project and pavement overlay continues to be a major need and work will continue to obtain federal and state funds for the project so it can begin. While the match for land acquisition for this project is fully funded, the match for the actual construction project is not included until we know the actual amount of the federal grant. Public Transit Public transportation is one of the pieces to the puzzle in addressing transportation needs. Again, this will only be maximized if the system is regional in nature and transportation services are coordinated among the local governments. A Transportation Implementation Plan has been completed during the fiscal year to determine the local routes to be recommended to the local governments. This plan has projected the benefits of a coordinated local system to Concord and Kannapolis and work is underway to prepare for the startup of the new system in 2003. As indicated before, this startup is reflected in the budget and new revenues are anticipated from an additional $5 vehicle license fee. In the meantime, Concord's portion of the funding for the Concord Express will continue. RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE Five major recreation improvement projects were completed in the last fiscal year including improvements at Academy Recreation Center, Hartsell Recreation Center, Dorton Park, Les Meyer Park and Caldwell Park. In addition, two greenway projects along Branchview Drive and' in the Gibson Village area wilt be completed in FY 2002-2003. The Branchview Drive greenway will also run through a new City park in the downtown area that will be funded through a State Parks and Recreation Trust Fund Grant, the second of these grants received in the past 3 years. A new addition to the parks systems will be WW Flowe Park. This park was constructed by Cabarrus County and will be operated by the City of Concord under a cooperative agreement. WW Flowe Park is expected to open late summer 2002. 18