Decatur Open City Hall Statement Stream

Beacon School Complex Renovation

2012-03-03T10:52:34-05:00

I somewhat support the renovation

This is a unique complex that serves several community purposes. As I understand it, it serves as the police department, a ballet school, a community gym, drum circle gathering place, parking lot for a critically needed sports field, a basketball court, playground, and a theater playhouse. However, I have never really understood what all was in there. It seems all hidden, convoluted, prone to flooding, and mysterious. As we invest in municipal buildings elsewhere, I think that we should continue with this complex. For example, the building of the Performing Arts Complex at DHS exposed what a huge need our community had for such performance places. I foresee that DHS will reach capacity soon. Also, it seems as if the police department has had to make do with its surroundings while demands (Homeland Security, etc.) have increased.

That being said, I would like to see this considered with a long-range plan for utilization of the renovated Rec Center and potential future improvements to the Library and the pool (into Glenlake West?). There is some wasted space in that region (the old funeral home and the kudzu lots surrounding the Marta). This could all be revitalized to match the improvements to the Decatur Housing Authority, Global Health Center, etc..

More about 'Beacon School Complex Renovation'

Please indicate the extent to which you would support or oppose financing that would use tax funds for the renovation of the old Beacon School complex, including construction of a new Decatur Police Department headquarters on West Trinity Place.

Beacon School Complex Renovation

2012-03-01T16:49:33-05:00

I somewhat support the renovation

More about 'Beacon School Complex Renovation'

Beacon School Complex Renovation

2012-03-01T16:34:37-05:00

I somewhat support the renovation

I would support this effort only if we already have the funds available and it would not raise our already very high taxes. We have several projects underway already and this may put us into debt.

I would also like to see the City open up to development of new housing in the City. There are developers ready and willing to build new homes here but the City keeps turning them down. What good is a new fire station and police station if we don't have new housing for folks to buy when they move to Decatur???? The Commissioners need to start approving new housing projects to keep our city alive and growing.

More about 'Beacon School Complex Renovation'

Beacon School Complex Renovation

2012-02-29T13:04:59-05:00

I somewhat oppose the renovation

It would be nice to modernize the complex, but only if taxes aren't raised. We've got a new firestation #1 in the works and the rec center, too. The city should wait a few years, putting money aside until sufficient funds from the current taxes are saved to pay for any police station/Beacon Hill renovations. It's what Decatur citizens have to do - save until you can afford what you want.

More about 'Beacon School Complex Renovation'

Beacon School Complex Renovation

2012-02-29T09:23:12-05:00

I somewhat oppose the renovation

I support the renovation but I am a big believer in only doing things that can be paid for out of the current income. While I know that is an idealistic view of things, I would rather not take on an additional tax burden.

The question is pretty vague and I would need to know more details to give a more definitive answer.

More about 'Beacon School Complex Renovation'

Beacon School Complex Renovation

2012-02-29T09:21:38-05:00

I strongly support the renovation

If anyone has ever spent time in this building, it is about time that major repairs are initiated.

More about 'Beacon School Complex Renovation'

Beacon School Complex Renovation

2012-02-29T09:10:35-05:00

I somewhat support the renovation

I agree with several other people that this is a project in need of funding, but that the funding should come from current revenue.

I also like the comment that suggested involving private development which would include low-cost space available to artists and other creative endeavors.

More about 'Beacon School Complex Renovation'

Beacon School Complex Renovation

2012-02-29T08:27:06-05:00

I strongly support the renovation

This renovation was discussed in the last strategic planning go-round, and we even have architectural plans to support this, so I am surprised this is on the forum. Our police department headquarters/court facilities need a dramatic update. The dance studio and art studio facilities there are outdated and worn. It is embarrassing to me that we spend money on new light fixtures and questionable signage for the city, but have not yet pulled the trigger on this renovation. The renovation supports maintaining some of the historic value of the Beacon Complex, but updating the building to make it much more functional and user friendly. I fully support this.

More about 'Beacon School Complex Renovation'

Beacon School Complex Renovation

2012-02-29T00:37:30-05:00

I somewhat support the renovation

More about 'Beacon School Complex Renovation'

Beacon School Complex Renovation

2012-02-28T22:13:25-05:00

I somewhat support the renovation

I somewhat support renovation of police dept. IF existing taxes are to be used.

I somewhat oppose Beacon Hill renovations based on what I know today.

In general, I feel the issues presented on this forum are vague enough (e.g. current taxes v. new taxes; not including what the renovation is intended to provide, etc) that I don't feel great answering one way or another. But I will continue to answer..qualifying my answers as best I can.

More about 'Beacon School Complex Renovation'

Beacon School Complex Renovation

2012-02-28T21:13:57-05:00

I somewhat support the renovation

More about 'Beacon School Complex Renovation'

Beacon School Complex Renovation

2012-02-28T15:44:29-05:00

I somewhat oppose the renovation

Why wasn't this covered under the long term plan or under the stealth bond indebtedness? Beacon Hill is a hell hole. I'd place modernizing public safety offices over modernizing the recreation center any day. How did this slip through the cracks? Big Oops! Is there no end to more and more taxation in this fair town?

More about 'Beacon School Complex Renovation'

Beacon School Complex Renovation

2012-02-28T15:36:35-05:00

I somewhat support the renovation

New Police Station is very much needed. Unsure what other ideas are included in the property re-development...with the Rec Center under construction we may not need two community centers for activities. I'm sure some other good ideas could be incorporated in the re-development.

More about 'Beacon School Complex Renovation'

Beacon School Complex Renovation

2012-02-28T14:48:18-05:00

I strongly support the renovation

Strongly support to improve and enlarge police and court facilities, but if I am correct in understanding that part of the Beacon School complex is occupied by private businesses or for profit making activities, then I think that those private entities should pay their proportionate share of the renovations and should be included in the planning process.

More about 'Beacon School Complex Renovation'

Beacon School Complex Renovation

2012-02-28T14:38:04-05:00

I somewhat support the renovation

More about 'Beacon School Complex Renovation'

Beacon School Complex Renovation

2012-02-28T14:18:38-05:00

I somewhat oppose the renovation

It is difficult for many families in our community to take on more cost at this time.

Although the need for renovation of the old Beacon School Complex and construction of new Decatur Police Station are of great interest.....more taxes is not the sensible answer at this time.

In my opinion we need to wait until our community has a better financial footing.

More about 'Beacon School Complex Renovation'

Beacon School Complex Renovation

2012-02-28T14:12:11-05:00

I somewhat oppose the renovation

While Beacon Hill needs renovating, I don't believe the police station does! I've been inside and its more than servicable.

More about 'Beacon School Complex Renovation'

Beacon School Complex Renovation

2012-02-28T14:05:57-05:00

I strongly oppose the renovation

More about 'Beacon School Complex Renovation'

Beacon School Complex Renovation

2012-02-28T13:35:05-05:00

I strongly support the renovation

More about 'Beacon School Complex Renovation'

Beacon School Complex Renovation

2012-02-28T13:22:50-05:00

I somewhat support the renovation

I definitely would support funds to construct a new DPD headquarters. I would likely support funding for renovating the old Beacon School, depending on what it would be used for and how much public funding would be required. I don't approve of the currently planned $15-20 million project that would not add any additional uses to the space. Instead, I encourage the city to explore a public/private partnership that would include community art space, but also provide living space at market rate and live/work or retail space for art projects at a reduced price. It would seem possible to create a real artists community that is partially subsidized by additional housing and retail space.

More about 'Beacon School Complex Renovation'

Beacon School Complex Renovation

2012-02-28T13:17:53-05:00

I strongly oppose the renovation

More about 'Beacon School Complex Renovation'

Beacon School Complex Renovation

2012-02-28T13:11:52-05:00

I somewhat support the renovation

I somewhat support this proposal and, like a previous poster, would like additional information to clarify my position. If the proposed renovations are to be paid for out of currently received tax revenue then I'm all for it. However, if the proposed renovations would require a tax increase then I do not support it at this time. If the renovations are important and are a priority then they should be paid for with existing revenues and other budget items should be deferred.

More about 'Beacon School Complex Renovation'

Beacon School Complex Renovation

2012-02-28T13:06:18-05:00

I somewhat support the renovation

More about 'Beacon School Complex Renovation'

Beacon School Complex Renovation

2012-02-28T13:05:58-05:00

I strongly oppose the renovation

We are in difficult times and use tax moneys normally implies
higher tax bills unless we are talking SPLOTS money (which still
is a higher bill but one that people are by now used to it).
Given current times, we should concentrate on crucial use
of tax money. It is my opinion that Beacon Hill can wait.

More about 'Beacon School Complex Renovation'

Beacon School Complex Renovation

2012-02-28T13:05:41-05:00

I strongly support the renovation

Every other City Department has or is getting new facilities or having theirs extensively renovated. It's s wonder how our police department can operate effectively in the facility they're in. And, it give a great opportunity to restore and interpret a building that was a major part of Decatur's African-American history.
The HOST settlement that was recently decided in favor of the City would supply more than adequate funds in no tax increase.

More about 'Beacon School Complex Renovation'

Beacon School Complex Renovation

2012-02-28T13:05:16-05:00

I somewhat support the renovation

More about 'Beacon School Complex Renovation'

Beacon School Complex Renovation

2012-02-28T13:02:44-05:00

I somewhat support the renovation

More about 'Beacon School Complex Renovation'

Beacon School Complex Renovation

2012-02-28T13:01:44-05:00

I somewhat oppose the renovation

I somewhat oppose because I am a bit unclear to the question. If this is simply a budget question for existing taxes, then I would have more support. If this requires, or would lead to a need for more taxes, then I strongly oppose. Can you give some clarity to the question?

More about 'Beacon School Complex Renovation'

Beacon School Complex Renovation

2012-02-28T12:56:14-05:00

I strongly support the renovation

It is a historical complex that needs to be preserved and I am sure the Police Department should be upgraded.

More about 'Beacon School Complex Renovation'

Beacon School Complex Renovation

2012-02-28T12:48:31-05:00

I strongly support the renovation