Voters in Asheville this fall will decide a $74-million bond referendum. But it will take more than one vote. On the front side of the ballot, Asheville voters will make their choices for president, U.S. Senate, governor, and both branches of the General Assembly. During her ‘State of the city’ address Mayor Esther Manheimer reminded voters to turn their ballots over, because their job won’t be done yet.
“On the back side of everyone’s ballot, there will be three questions on the bonds," said the mayor. "One will be on transportation. One will be on parks and recreation. And one will be on affordable housing. Voters are asked to answer each question separately on whether they approve or don’t approve of the bonds.”
That would allow a voter if they wanted to vote for one bond while saying no to another. The transportation bond question deals with money that would pay for several road paving projects and sidewalk construction. Funds from the Parks and Recreation bond would predominately go to construction at the Wesley Grant Recreation Center in the city, and renovations to Memorial Stadium. The housing affordability bond would raise dollars for a housing project on South Charlotte Street.
***An earlier version of the story incorrectly stated Memorial Stadium was the home Asheville Tourists***