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GREENSBORO - There's never an ideal time to ask for $205 million.

The sour economic news of late doesn't make it any easier.

But Greensboro's bond backers are still working to convince residents that the city needs $134 million for transportation projects, $20 million for parks and recreation upgrades, a $50 million auditorium renovation and $1 million for housing initiatives.

Greensboro voters will be asked to approve the four bond issues this fall - initiatives that could increase city taxes by a maximum of 21/2 cents.

That could mean an extra $50 per year for the owner of a $200,000 home.

Early voting will begin Thursday and continue through Nov. 1. Election Day is Nov. 4.

Bond supporters argue that what could be a short-term economic downturn should not influence long-range plans to improve Greensboro's infrastructure and quality of life.

"In the long run, these type of improvements are vital to our future as a city," said Kevin Green , who is leading the campaign for the parks and recreation projects.

Residents said they will carefully consider which projects are necessary.

Jeff Bartolet , 38, a Republican, father of two and a member of the News & Record's Voterspeak panel, is considering casting votes for the housing and street improvement bonds, but not the War Memorial Auditorium or the parks and recreation bonds.

It's not fair to make the whole community pay for things only some people use, especially when it is unclear how investments on items such as pools will pay back, said Bartolet, pastor at the Hunter Hills Evangelical Friends Church.

"With the uncertainty, who on earth is going to say, 'Yeah, put more taxes on me,' " Bartolet said.

Tough times or not, bond advocates are asking residents for their support.

"We need it precisely because of the financial crisis in the country," said Beth McKee-Huger , director of the Greensboro Housing Coalition and a housing bond supporter.

The housing initiative can be used for projects such as home-buyer education, down-payment assistance and foreclosure prevention counseling, McKee-Huger said.

If approved by voters, the money might be matched with federal or state funds for housing programs.

Some voters might be uncertain about supporting projects such as park upgrades or the auditorium renovation.

"I don't think the coliseum one is going to pay back," said Ruth Mary Weston , a Democrat with a small home-repair business and a member of the Voterspeak panel. "Right now, it just seems like more of a luxury to me."

Bond backers argue that the 49-year-old auditorium and the parks are used by the whole community and improve Greensboro's quality of life. That's something everyone should fund, supporters say.

"We need to look and say, 'Do we really want to be a city we are all proud to live in?' Or do we want to be a city where we say we are all just getting by?" Green said.

Greensboro has not been able to attract Broadway-quality shows, such as "Wicked" and "The Color Purple," because cities such as Durham have brand-new facilities with more stage space, said bond backer Florence Gatten .

The renovations will update backstage areas and make the building handicapped-accessible.

"It is an urgent need, and without the repairs the building has maybe five years of useful life," Gatten said.

Bond advocates say delaying projects such as the renovation or the street bonds - which will launch 50 miles of road resurfacing, 10 major roadway improvements and six intersection upgrades - will cost the taxpayers more money later.

"The longer you wait to do stuff like this, the more expensive it is going to get," said Monty Hagler , a road bond supporter.

Bond proponents also urged voters to consider that bond projects take years to complete.

For instance, next year Greensboro will issue bonds for projects approved by voters in 2000.

That extended timeline means the tax burden for the current projects will likely also be spread out over years.

The city's own 21/2-cent tax rate increase projection is an estimate based on the presumption that all the projects would start next year - an initiative that would be difficult to achieve.

"There isn't necessarily an immediate tax impact by voting on the bonds today," said Denise Turner of the Greensboro Partnership, who is heading up the team of bond backers.

Contact Amanda Lehmert at 373-7075 or amanda.lehmert@news-record.com