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Happy October and, according to our City’s fiscal calendar, Happy New Year! Yes, our new fiscal year begins Oct. 1, and Canton is falling forward in very exciting ways. Although we will be making final adjustments to our FY2022 numbers over the next couple of months, I am happy to report we are ending another year in a very healthy position. In addition, we have even more exciting projects to be completed in 2023, and our Council and Staff have worked tirelessly to deliver on the promises in our Roadmap for Success while continuing to maintain the lowest millage rate in Cherokee County and in the City’s history.
When it comes to moving Canton Forward in meaningful ways; however, I can assure you there’s no parking on the dance floor for Team Canton! Our Council and Staff have never been this busy as we continue to begin, continue, and complete major projects in our roadmap. In fact, we will be holding our fall Council retreat next month to discuss our next phase since a majority of our 15-year goals and milestones in our roadmap are projected to be completed more than a decade early. As always, our citizens will play a large role in continuing to shape the direction of the community plan they helped us create in 2020.
And speaking of parking, our new Downtown Parking Deck at City Hall will officially open Oct. 6 and will double the amount of spaces than the previous, outdated surface lot. In addition, the second level features a solar canopy to power 10 EV charging stations and offset the utility charges of City Hall. The deck will be open just in time for October’s First Friday event, and along with the 125 additional public parking spaces acquired by the City at Academy & Main behind Panera, we have fulfilled our promise to address current and future parking needs for our merchants, residents, and visitors.
From parked cars charging for free at our EV stations to citizens on the move, we are also working to Enhance our Infrastructure for the future. On Oct. 6 at 3:30pm, we will also hold another Open House at City Hall for our Transportation Master Plan. This is an excellent opportunity for our residents to give input on the citywide plan as well as to learn about the projects currently in process – such as improvements being engineered SR 140 at the intersection of Marietta Highway/Riverstone Parkway up to Mary Lane and additionally at the intersection of SR 140 and Reinhardt College Parkway.
Lastly, cars are not the only things on the move in Canton. Portions of our Etowah River Trail Eastward Expansion from Heritage Park to Boling Park have already been poured, and the bridge abutments should begin later this month. This major trail expansion has been complex, but we are anticipating much of the new trail to be completed by the end of 2022, depending on the weather and other logistics. Regardless, we will soon be able to enjoy walking, running, or biking along our beautiful Etowah River from the eastward city limits in Boling Park to the city limits beyond 575 on our expanded trail through Etowah River Park.
I am extremely proud of what we are accomplishing in Canton, but each new project creates both opportunities and challenges to sharpen our focus. As County Seat in one of the top ten fastest growing counties and the 12th fastest growing state in the country, Canton cannot afford to be complacent. Our roadmap was created to allow our citizens to guide the direction and quality of our city as we move forward, not sitting idle while outside forces dictate our path. Our journey is worth the twists and turns, but the journey is essential to our success. As Thomas Edison said, “We shall have no better conditions in the future if we are satisfied with all those which we have at present.”
Fall forward with respect and kindness, Canton! - Mayor Bill
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