Opening of 1600 Park Likely Further Delayed After Bond for Traffic Light Fails

A failed vote on a bond ordinance to purchase and install a traffic light at 1600 Park could delay the opening of the uptown park,

to improve pedestrian safety in the area.

The city proposed a bond for $350,000 to purchase and install the traffic light. Director of Parking and Transportation Ian Sacs said that the city and the county had negotiated the traffic light already. The bond was a way to pay for it.

"This was our plan," Sacs said, adding that it was "carefully negotiated with the county."

Councilman Michael Russo, one of the council members who voted "no" on the bond, said that he voted it down because he believes that costs like these have to come out of the city's budget for capital improvements.

The bond—which needed a supermajority of 6 votes to pass—failed in a 5-4 vote, with the four members of the council minority voting "no."

It's unclear what the city will do next and how it will choose to pay for the traffic light. Without the traffic signal, the park won't open, Mayor Dawn Zimmer has said.