City Manager Alan Archer and budget staff on Oct. 28 presented a recommended five-year capital improvement plan that would program roughly $1.1 billion in capital spending for fiscal years 2027–2031 and move only the first year into appropriation. Corey Cloud, assistant director of budget and evaluation, said the recommended plan "is approximately $1,100,000,000," slightly below the current adopted plan.

The plan is a strategic schedule and funding proposal for priority capital projects and equipment purchases. "The CIP serves as a commitment schedule for capital spending in the next in the first year, and a strategic plan for investments over the following 4 years," Archer said. The recommended program aligns projects with the city's stated priorities of people, places and government.

Why it matters: the recommended plan affects operating budgets, debt service and the property-tax rate. Cloud told council staff modeled the program against the city's debt-management policies and said the recommendation “does brush up against our thresholds for our debt management policies,” which could affect future bond issuances and operating costs.

Key elements and costs: the recommended five-year package includes roughly $751 million shown in the general fund projection and continues funding for transformational redevelopment like the Choice Neighborhood Initiative (CNI). Cloud briefed council on several major projects called out in the plan:
- School work: Fiscal 2027 includes the final year of funding for Warwick High School ($32,000,000) and design/initial allocations toward Denbigh High School renovation ($58,800,000 in the out years). The plan also includes $10,000,000 per year for renovations, bus replacement and 1-to-1 technology funding.
- Public safety: the plan funds replacement or full reconstruction for Fire Stations 11, 9, 2 and 8 and additional investments for living quarters, kitchens and bathroom upgrades at other stations. Cloud and Archer noted a right-sized replacement for a station (Station 11) at about $14,000,000.
- Maritime and waterfront: bulkhead repairs at Mitchell Marina and the Seafood Industrial Park, dredging priorities and planned pier work estimated at about $3,300,000, with roughly $600,000 scheduled in 2027 for two pier replacements.
- Parks and recreation: funding for Stoney Run Park trail phases, campground upgrades and replacement of seven restroom facilities (estimated total cost about $5,000,000, with $2,400,000 proposed in 2031 to start that work).
- Facilities and courthouse: funding to construct a new courthouse and acquire a government center site appears in the 2027 year with continued funding through 2028–2031 for construction and related projects.

Financing and timing: Cloud said the plan's projections assume issuing debt in future years and that the city last sold bonds in July 2023. "We haven't had to issue bonds since July 2023," he said, adding the city manages issuances on a cash-flow basis and will consider new financing tools. Archer said staff are exploring financing mechanisms not previously used — including a planning fund and a line of credit — to accelerate replacement of critical facilities if council supports those ideas.

Budget process and next steps: staff will post the detailed recommended CIP online the evening of Oct. 28 and return with more detailed answers to council questions. The plan is scheduled to be brought to council for adoption at the Feb. 10 meeting; only the first year is presented for appropriation at adoption. Cloud and Archer repeatedly emphasized that any large change to the property-tax rate would constrain the city's ability to deliver the planned projects.

Council comment and context: several council members stressed urgency for school construction and renovations. Councilman Harris urged prioritizing school facility work, noting many nearby jurisdictions have newer high schools. Council members also pressed the manager about accelerating Fire Station 9, and Cloud said design funding already exists and that construction is linked to other projects (the Grissom Library site work).

What’s next: staff will return with a line-item presentation, potential new financing options and answers to council questions before the adoption vote scheduled for Feb. 10.

Sources: presentation and staff remarks at the Oct. 28 City Council work session; staff indicated the recommended plan will be posted on the city website the same evening.