Wednesday, November 13, 2013

EDITORIAL >> Cabot thrives with $32.8M

Cabot is preparing $32.8 million in improvements to its roads, parks and other city facilities after voters approved renewing the city’s 1-cent sales tax.

While other area cities are scrambling to balance their budgets, Cabot is set to modernize on a variety of fronts.

The public library will be relocated to the old Knight’s grocery store that will be renovated into a $2.6 million state-of-the-art facility. A swimming pool will have waterslides, a children’s pool, a lazy river, hydrotherapy in-pool seating, a bathhouse and party areas. It will be built as part of a $19.2 million project that will also fund a major expansion of the community center and two new softball fields. The community center will have additional exercise rooms, an events room and even a safe room for shelter during storms.

The list goes on: A new nine-field baseball complex will be built on Hwy. 321. Officials say it will be completed in 2015 and will host several tournaments a year. Some of the sales-tax money will also help build a much-needed cloverleaf interchange on Hwy. 67/167 that will improve traffic flow and access to the city. Main Street will also receive landscaping and other beautification features, and $8.2 million in sewer projects have already gotten underway.

In all, these projects signify Cabot’s dedication to boosting its curb appeal for residents and prospective residents while accommodating growth and keeping tight controls of its expenses. It will ensure the city remains an attractive place to live in central Arkansas.

Without a doubt, mayors across the area are envious.