ANKENY – Voters in two rapidly growing parts of the Metro approved some major construction projects Tuesday and it’s going to affect them in several big ways.
The three projects will have an impact on neighbors in those areas. In Ankeny, two bonds were approved, construction of a new public library and construction of a third fire station.
Fire officials say this additional station needs to be built now because more residents are coming into the city and that means they’re getting more calls.
“As you know seconds matter, whether its a medical emergency or a fire related emergency, the faster we can get there the better things go,” aid Deputy Chief Robert Chiappano.
The project is estimated at $5.2 million, and the bond is for just over $2.5 million. The rest of the funds will come from Capital Project Reserve Funds. So, how will this affect tax payers?
“The plans that were put forth for both the library and the fire house are tax neutral, there is no increase in taxes for the residents,” said Chiappano.
Also in Ankeny, a new library. Again, the growth of Ankeny was the push behind this bond.
The bond is for $8.5 million. Just over 3 million of that will be repaid with current lease payments. The total cost for the project will be $25 million with funds coming from other areas.
Over in Dallas County, voters approved construction of a new jail after seeing it three times before on the ballot. The need for the jail? The sheriff says it’s outdated and overcrowded.
The price tag for the project, $23 million. It should save taxpayers over $20 million over the next 30 years.
Construction will start pretty quickly in Ankeny. The fire station will be built this summer and will open next fall. The library is expected to be open in 2019.
No word yet on when the Dallas County jail construction would begin, but there is already a 40 acre plot of land picked out. This was Dallas County’s fourth time trying to get voters to back the new jail. This time around they’ve had more informational meetings and have invited the public in for tours of the old, cramped jail.
