Charlotte City Council members are expected to take the next steps Monday night in putting a $223 million bond referendum on the ballot in November.
As part of this year’s budget process, council members in June approved a Community Investment Plan that includes the anticipated bond referendum this fall. Charlotte voters will be asked to approve $118 million in street bonds, $55 million for neighborhood improvements, and, bonds to boost the city’s Housing Trust Fund by $50 million. The housing bonds are part of an ongoing push by Charlotte leaders to increase the availability of affordable housing.
City Council members Monday evening will hold a public hearing on the planned bond referendum, followed by a vote to officially advance the measure for placement on the November 6 ballot.
Also on the council’s agenda is a request for zoning changes that would allow development of a hotel and conference center on the UNC Charlotte campus, near the JW Clay light rail station. Plans call for a 230-room Marriott hotel, as part of an $84 million development that university leaders say would help attract large conferences and boost UNC Charlotte’s academic reputation.
The university is asking the city for $8 million in funding to support the hotel and conference center development. That money would come from local tourism taxes, such as the additional 8 percent in room taxes added to hotel bills. Council members are expected to make decisions on the project by late August.