While the missing Klan-Nazi files only made B1 of today’s N&R, front-page news was the spending spree the City of Greensboro is about to embark upon.

For starters, there’s the 4.8-mile Bicentennial Greenway, which “won’t be just any greenway project.” At a cost of $26 million —- that’s $5 million per mile, folks —– it ought to be something special. Yes, I realize that the majority of the costs would come from state and and federal sources, but $10 million would supposedly come “a possible transportation bond package the city is considering for this fall.”

On the subject of bonds, City Council member Robbie Perkins is trying to convince the city to use money from a $10 million economic development bond to buy the Canada Dry property next to the Greensboro Coliseum.

The question is what exactly an ‘economic development’ bond should go toward:

At the time, the bond was touted as a way to lure jobs to the area. Bond supporters said the money would be used to buy land, install sewer and water systems, complete road projects and improve key economic corridors, such as High Point Road.

The council has the final say over how the money is spent.

Perkins didn’t have enough support Tuesday to approve using the bond money for any potential sale. Councilman Zack Matheny said he wanted to see the top five options for using the bond money before he agrees to anything.

I give Matheny credit for wanting to take a closer look at this deal. This situation once again highlights the inherent problems when voters pass bonds for nebulous concepts like “economic development” and “open space.” And, as I’ve said before, I’ll be curious to see what the city can do with this property that the free market couldn’t.