Sugar Land parks bond wins some, loses one

Updated 10:30 p.m. CST

According to unofficial results, propositions 2 and 3 of the Sugar Land parks bond have been passed by voters with 53.32 percent and 52.35 percent of the votes, respectively, while Proposition 1 failed to pass with 48.99 percent of the votes with 29 of 29 precincts reporting.

Proposition 2 is $21.3 million and consists of the second phase of the Brazos River Park project and a 33-acre festival site.

Proposition 3 is $10.16 million and calls for the implementation of a network of about 10 miles of trails that will serve to interconnect neighborhoods with existing trail systems.

All results are unofficial until canvassed.

Posted 7:45 p.m. CST

The three propositions comprising the Sugar Land parks bond each show narrow margins of support from early voters, according to unofficial results. Proposition 1, which calls for a new community park, received 50.66 percent of early votes; Proposition 2, which is the continuation of the Brazos River project along with the construction of an adjacent festival site, has received 54.09 percent of early votes; and Proposition 3, which calls for the implementation of about 10 miles of hike and bike trails, received 52.48 percent of early votes.

All of these projects have been in the city's master plans for about 10 years, said Karen Daly, assistant city manager with the city of Sugar Land. A citizens bond committee made up of more than 100 resident volunteers was charged by City Council to traverse areas of Sugar Land during the past year to prioritize which projects should be included in the bond.

Through their findings, the task force decided on four projects that residents would benefit from directly. Alternative projects, such as additional amenities and infrastructure, were discussed within each project in the case that all the money is not used.

If passed, the bond could result in a $0.05 rise in the city's tax rate spread out over five years. The city aims to capture the cost of the bond through its property tax revenues, which has grown by about 4 percent year-over-year. The earliest tax rate increase would be $0.01 in 2015 should the rise in property tax revenues not off-set the costs.

The $50 million parks bond is comprised of three propositions:

Proposition 1: $18.54 million

A 65-acre community park at Chatham Avenue and Easton Avenues

Proposition 2: $21.3 million

Phase 2 of the Brazos River Park project and an adjacent festival site

Proposition 3: $10.16 million

A connecting network of approximately 10 miles of hike and bike trails and bridges

All results are unofficial until canvassed.