Mayor Bill Grant’s 2024 State of the City Address Highlights In his 2024 State of the City Address, Mayor Bill Grant highlighted the many accomplishments from the past year and previewed the upcoming projects and initiatives for this year.2023 Accomplishments:• Completed the Citywide Transportation Master Plan and prioritized projects for implementation• Completed the Public Art Master Plan• Began Downtown Parking Deck solar canopy to power EV charging stations and offset energy needs for City Hall• Continued construction on the Water Pollution Control Plant, and the new 3,000 sq. ft. administration building was completed and opened• Issued over 175 new business licenses last year• Launched Explore Canton, the City’s tourism initiative• Collected $1 million annually in Hotel Motel taxes for the first time last year• Renovated and reopened the historic Jones Mercantile Building • Received $4.4 million in grant awards for the South Canton Park and Marietta Road Pedestrian Improvement Projects• Retained Horwath HTL to market sites for both a potential high quality boutique hotel in downtown and a luxury resort and small conference center on Lake Canton on the property the City purchased at The Bluffs• Hosted the Georgia Downtown Conference • Opened a new inclusive playground at Heritage Park• Completed a $4.3 million renovation and expansion of Harmon Park and added a mini-pitch soccer field with the assistance of the first state grant from the Atlanta United Foundation• Became home to the Georgia Impact Women's Professional Soccer League team• Initiated a comprehensive update to the City Charter and Municipal Code, which was adopted by City Council in late 2023New Projects and Initiatives for 2024:• Complete the Parks and Recreation Master Plan to further connect citizens to Canton’s parks and trails• Conduct a ribbon cutting and grand opening for the newly expanded and renovated Harmon Park• Install a mural across from Harmon Park in the Sunnyside Community• Complete the design plans for the new South Canton Park, and issue an RFP for construction• Complete the design and issue of an RFP for construction for the new Etowah River Pedestrian Bridge• Begin phases 2-5 of the expansion of the Water Pollution Control Plant• Issue an RFP for the new traffic signal at Reinhardt College Parkway and Reservoir Drive• Complete a Master Plan for the Hickory Flat/Marietta Road Gateway into downtown Canton• Continue sustainability projects in City Hall and the Public Safety Building• Complete and adopt a new Downtown Master Plan • Issue an RFP for construction of the West Main pedestrian improvements to connect The Mill on Etowah and downtown Canton• Welcome a new Police Chief in spring 2024• Implement the new K9 program for Canton Police Department • Continue spring, summer, and fall events in and around Canton
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