This city has grown rapidly in the past 20 years, but space for city services hasn't kept pace with the growth.
Although American Fork's population has grown from under 16,000 to 21,000 residents just this decade, the city has undertaken no new building projects except a fitness center since 1975. City employees say they work in cramped, inadequate quarters that don't meet building codes and federal accessibility regulations.Meanwhile, the city's increasing number of residents also puts a strain on public facilities like libraries and parks. Mayor Jess Green and the City Council placed four bond questions on Tuesday's ballot that they believe will help alleviate problems brought on by growth.
The four propositions are each listed separately on the ballot, meaning they could pass or fail independently of the others. Even if all four bond questions pass, city officials project no property-tax increase as a result of issuing the bonds and repaying them.
- The first proposition calls for the city to build a $4.7 million public library to replace the outdated and small one currently in use. The current library, built in 1966, has only 9,500 square feet on two floors. The new library, which would be constructed at the same site, would be nearly triple the size of the current one.
If the library bond passes, city officials propose to temporarily re-locate the library while construction takes place. The new library's design was achieved by asking residents of American Fork their ideas about functionality and aesthetics.
Groundbreaking for the new library could take place as soon as next spring if the measure on Tuesday's ballot is approved.
Some residents and city officials believe the current library proposal is too expensive. They would like to see a new library built, but hope it can be done for less than $4.7 million. City leaders have promised if the bids for the library come in lower than projected figures, bonds will be issued only for the amount of the actual bid.
- Another proposition asks voters if they would authorize the city to issue bonds amounting to $2.4 million in order to improve the city's public works complex and add new buildings to the complex, located on 200 North between 200 East and 300 East. Bond revenues would be used to consolidate sewer, water, streets, parks and maintenance, engineering, building and administration functions.
The city's current public works complex was built in 1975 and cannot adequately house the 32 full-time and nearly 20 part-time or seasonal employees. Under the bond proposal, a new public works office building and bays to hold vehicles and equipment would be constructed, while the existing buildings and bays would be upgraded.
- The third proposition would allow the city to purchase 2.4 acres of downtown property for a new City Hall complex that could also include police, fire and courts buildings. American Fork has reached agreements to buy warehouse property from Alpine School District, a parking lot from pediatrician Carl Bell and four nearby homes.
The downtown property is seen as too expensive by some residents, but city officials say it's necessary so the city can eventually construct a new City Hall. Current city offices are inadequate for staffers. If the bond passes, city officials would like to begin the process of securing a design for the new City Hall and would then probably ask voters to approve another bond at a later time in order to generate funds to build the complex.
- Finally, the city proposes to purchase two parcels of land amounting to 91 acres from the state of Utah. The land is currently part of the Utah State Development Center, although American Fork leases part of it for the Art Dye Baseball Complex. Also included in the land is an amphitheater, located just west of the Mt. Timpanogos LDS Temple.
The land would cost the city $1.1 million, and would be used for open space, recreation and park facilities.
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Additional Information
Pros and cons of 4 bond propositions
Four bond propositions that would allow American Fork to construct a new library ($4.7 million), upgrade the public works complex ($2.4 million), purchase downtown property ($1 million) and purchase park property ($1.1 million).
Pro: The growing city hasn't taken steps to meet its building needs for several years, and current facilities for employees and residents are inadequate. Purchasing property now would preclude others from doing it before American Fork has the necessary funds.
Con: Some residents believe the library proposal is too expensive. Also, the downtown property for a new City Hall is not seen as necessary by those who favor less expensive property in a new business development on the city's west side.