Anderson Parks levy for purchase of land, RecPlex
The Nov. 3 ballot for Anderson Township residents includes an additional tax levy for the Anderson Park District.
According to the ballot, the purpose of the 0.7-mill 15-year levy is for buying, appropriating, operating, maintaining and improving lands for parks and recreational purposes, including the payment of debt service on issued bonds.
The Anderson Park Board has said that money from the levy will be used to buy land from the Beech Acres Parenting Center, which includes the RecPlex - currently leased by the parks. The piece of property and other potential uses has been the focus of ongoing meetings between the parks, Anderson Township Board of Trustees, Forest Hills School District and residents.
Parks Executive Director Ken Kushner explains the levy.
Issue: No. 18 is as proposed additional tax levy for the Anderson Township Park District.
What is it the issue request and why: An additional 0.7 mill, 15 year tax levy for the Anderson Township Park District for the purpose of purchasing the Beech Acres Parenting Center’s property and the RecPlex adjacent to Beech Acres Park on Beechmont Avenue. The property enables the park district to continue to: operate Anderson Township’s only public recreation center; offer large community events, and expand offerings to meet the future recreational needs of the community.
Voter approval will: Enable the Anderson Township Park District to buy the property, renovate the RecPlex and prepare the property for use by the public.
What the owner of $100,000 home pays now: Nothiing.
What the owner of $100,000 home would pay if passes: $24.50 a year for 15 years.
What happens if it fails: The park district will not be able to buy the Beech Acres Parenting Center property and RecPlex.
What happens if it passes: The Anderson Township Park District would buy the 36.71 acres Beech Acres Parenting Center as public land, renovate the RecPlex in order for it to continue to serve as the hub of the park district’s programs, leagues, and events, and prepare the property for use by the public.
Who's for it: The Citizens for Parks and Recreation.
Who’s opposed: Anderson Concerned Citizens has not come out in opposition to the park levy, but is actively pushing for continued discussions between the park district, Anderson Township Board of Trustees and Forest Hills School District. The group would like to see the three entities continue vetting a plan that proposes construction of a new Anderson High School on the Beech Acres Parenting Center property along with the renovation of the RecPlex and a new multi-use development being built on the current Anderson High School site.
“I have been closely following the events surrounding the possible game-changing opportunities currently facing Anderson Township,” resident and Anderson Concerned Citizens member Maria Kelley said. “Who would be against this kind of progress that would truly transform our community? A brand new AHS that costs the tax payers zero dollars in new taxes, along with the development of the prime real estate at the current AHS site, would give Anderson Township a new look, create new jobs and increase our tax base. We can't afford to let this opportunity pass us by and I encourage and expect the different government entities in Anderson Township to work together for the betterment of the entire community.”