Tuesday night council voted to swap a request for funding to refurbish the Opera House with a previous plan for a city spray park and walking trail. Also, the city revamped its funding request for the top project on its wish list, replacement of a water main that carries drinking water to the city from it treatment plant.
The Opera House project is also less funding than the project previously envisioned to occupy the second slot on city’s request list. At $656,991, the Opera House refurbishment comes in at about half of the estimated cost of the spray park.
The money would spruce up the venue which has seen a lot of use since its reopening more than a decade ago, including repairing damage done by water leaks.
The water main project is still estimated to come in at just under $6 million. However, the city is only putting in a request for 60 percent of the funding through the capital project penny referendum. City officials intend, if the referendum passes, to finance the remaining $2.4 million through revenue bonds, special revenue financing or grants.
The replacement of the more than 50-year-old water line would upgrade it from a 16-inch to 20-inch diameter pipe. It is one of two lines that runs along Highway 121 from the Saluda River bringing water into the city.
The parallel pipe runs on the other side of the highway and was last replaced in the 1980s. City Manager Jeff Shacker says the normal useful life of these types of supply lines is usually 30-40 years.
By sponsoring projects, governing bodies demonstrate support for the projects, and commit to funding any potential construction cost overruns. Also, the sponsorship obligates the sponsoring body to funding ongoing costs resulting from the project.
The Capital Projects Sales Tax Commission now has two months to determine which projects will make the referendum list it will present to County Council for approval.
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