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East Point presents park-multiplex survey results; council presses for clearer bond plan
Summary
Parks and Recreation presented engagement findings for a proposed multigenerational recreation center; city staff and councilors discussed survey reach, a $33 million planning figure and whether any bond would require a referendum.
East Point city officials and consultants on June 2 released results from two public meetings and related outreach for a proposed multigenerational recreation center and discussed how the project could be financed.
The presentation by Parks and Recreation Director Pinkett and community engagement lead Trevor Thompson said 232 people responded to the engagement activities and that walking trails, playgrounds and biking trails ranked highest among recreation preferences. “Residents really showed up,” Thompson said, and the findings will be used to shape schematic design and programming.
Why it matters: Council members pressed for clarity about how the city intends to pay for the center and whether planned bonding would require resident approval. City staff said the $33,000,000 figure is a planning number used for budget forecasts and that the final financing approach — revenue bond, general obligation bond or other mechanism — has not been chosen.
The engagement results. Thompson, the community engagement lead for the project, said most participants came from Ward B and that the largest age group was 31–45, with many residents reporting more than 11 years living in East Point. Walking trails, playgrounds and biking paths were most requested; STEM and artificial-intelligence programming also rated highly. “So this information is telling us that a lot of people want walking trails,” Thompson said.
Council reaction and outreach questions. Several council members pressed parks staff to broaden outreach in wards with low participation, particularly Ward D, which is the proposed site. Council member Atkins and others suggested additional weekend and virtual sessions, translated materials for Hispanic residents, and using utility bills and a web link to boost participation. Director Pinkett said staff would leave the survey open for two to three more weeks and add virtual and weekend options.
Financing and timeline. Interim City Manager Jones and finance staff said the budget request includes a $33 million planning figure for the multiplex; Jones described that sum as “a realistic planning number” and said the estimate rose from earlier, smaller figures as the design assumptions matured. He and council members noted that a general obligation (G.O.) bond would require a referendum; a revenue bond would not. Jones said council would consult the city’s financial advisor to choose an appropriate funding strategy and timing and that the advisor is tentatively scheduled to brief council June 16.
Next steps. Staff said the survey will remain open to collect additional responses and that schematic design will reflect the community priorities identified in engagement. The city asked council to help build ambassadors to increase participation in Wards C and D.
Ending: Staff committed to provide the raw response count and a clearer outreach timeline to council, and to return with bond-financing options after consulting the city’s financial advisor.
