Georgetown narrows down projects for potential county bond funding

Georgetown’s second funding proposal is for a project to widen FM 971 from SH 130 to Gann Street, adding pedestrian and bike facilities. With a total estimated cost of $35 million, the city is asking for $4 million in funding from Williamson County.

Woolery said the city would use $5 million in 2008 road bond funding as well as $4 million it has received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The city would then request $22 million in funding from the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization.

“So that would be the goal of this project—get some support financially from Williamson County,” Woolery said. “It also looks good when you go to CAMPO and say, ‘Hey, we’ve got other federal support; we’ve got county support [and] city support. It would make that application really strong.”

The last request from Georgetown is for $29.5 million to widen Shell Road from 500 feet north of Williams Drive to 300 feet north of Sycamore Street, adding a shared-use path. The city is proposing a 50-50 split, pitching in $29.5 million through future bonds.

“Obviously, our voters have not approved that project,” Woolery said. “So our match source would be a future city bond election.”