Dow added that according to Metro staff many of these recommendations already have been put in place. Program goals include acquiring nearly 6,000 acres of open space in 14 target areas in the Metro three-county area, as well as establishing about 45 miles of greenways and trail corridors. The report commends Metro for all it has achieved since the voters approved the program in 1995. In addition, Metro assembled a team of highly qualified employees to operate the program and issued general obligation bonds at a cost substantially less than estimated. Burton also said it's clear the willing seller aspects of the program impact Metro's ability to complete transactions evenly across the 14 target areas.
Land prices are different across the region.
The auditor examined program progress and the processes Metro is using to acquire the land and manage the expenditure of bond funds. While the program recently achieved its 6,000-acre goal, Dow identified several underlying issues that merit attention. Metro already has met or exceeded acquisition goals in eight of the 14 target areas but is at less than 40 percent of goal in three others. In addition, Metro has had mixed success in achieving its objectives for trail and greenway projects. It has made significant progress toward establishing two trails and one greenway, but progress on one other trail and two other greenways has been limited.