Capital Improvement Plans (CIPs) serve as blueprints, guiding the course of cities and regions as they strive to enhance their services and facilities. FirmoGraphs tracks the CIPs for 100s of U.S. top cities. This article highlights some of the most notable projects and trends by comparing the CIPs of 10 large cities in the U.S. for 2023 and 2024.
The following table highlights the two-year trend for planned capital spending. Note that the numbers and project values mentioned are based on the starting year of CIP, which spans multiple years. The 2023 values are from the 2023 CIPs, and the 2024 values are from the 2024 CIPs.
Table: 2023 and 2024 Planned Capital Project Count and Value
We selected large cities with both 2023 and 2024 CIPs available, with a minimum capital spending of $1 billion or more.
Figure: Ten Top U.S. Cities based on Total Budget in FY 2024.
Source: FirmoGraphs' City Mart
Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee
The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County plans to spend approximately $21.1 billion in the CIP covering the 2024-2029 fiscal years, an increase of 22% from $17.2 billion in the 2023-2028 CIP. The current CIP comprises 544 capital projects, while the previous one has 606 capital projects.
The current capital improvement plan has five projects worth more than $1 billion each, five projects worth more than $500 million each, and 35 projects and programs with a budget of over $100 million each. The most expensive project is the construction of a new Nissan Stadium, which will cost $2.1 billion. Other notable projects include General Water Treatment Plant Facilities Replacement and Refurbishment ($1.5 billion), School Renovations ($1.11 billion), District-Wide Projects ($1.03 billion), and the Clean Water Nashville Program ($1.02 billion).
City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The City of Philadelphia announced its plan to allocate approximately $13.2 billion in capital spending in its 2024-2029 cycle. This represents a staggering 20% increase from the previous CIP, which had an approximately $ 11.1 billion budget for the fiscal year 2023-2028.
The current CIP is set to fund 623 projects, an increase from the 577 projects funded in the previous cycle. This plan has three projects valued at over $1 billion, three valued at over $500 million, and sixteen projects with a budget exceeding $100 million. Notable major projects include Improvements to Treatment Facilities ($1.84 billion), Improvements to the Collector System ($1.51 billion), and SEPTA Bridge, Track, Signal, and Infrastructure Improvements ($1.23 billion), all scheduled for launch in 2024. The 2024-2029 plan also features other significant projects and programs, such as the Rail Vehicle/ Equipment Acquisition and Improvement Program ($999 million), the Conveyance Systems and Water Mains Reconstruction ($981 million), and the SEPTA Station and Parking Improvements ($531 million).
City of Austin, Texas
In its current CIP, which covers the 2024-2028 fiscal years, the City of Austin plans to spend approximately $11.5 billion on capital projects, a significant increase of 30% from the $8.9 billion in the previous CIP, which covered the 2023-2027 fiscal years. The current CIP features 1,609 funded projects compared to 1,572 projects in the last CIP.
The current capital improvement plan comprises one project valued at over $1 billion, four-valued at more than $500 million, and fifteen projects with a cost exceeding $100 million. The expansion of the convention center, valued at $1.53 billion, is the most significant undertaking of the current CIP. Other major projects are Phase 1 of Concourse B Gates ($903 million), Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion to 100 Million Gallons Per Day ($575 million), Distribution and Distribution Substations ($551 million), and the construction of Parking Garage ($512 million). These projects are anticipated to begin in 2024.
City of Houston, Texas
In the CIP covering the 2024-2028 fiscal years, the City of Houston plans to spend approximately $11.4 billion, an increase of 12% from $10.2 billion in its 2023-2027 CIP. The current CIP comprises 613 capital projects, while the previous one had 552.
The current capital spending has three projects and programs worth over $500 million and 20 with a cost exceeding $100 million. The most expensive initiatives are the Terminal A modernization program, improvements to the wastewater facilities and collection systems program, and the piping improvements at various wastewater treatment facilities throughout the city. These will cost $873 million, $850 million, and $603 million, respectively. Other notable projects and programs include the East Water Purification Plant ($486 million), Neighborhood Sewer Rehab Program ($480 million), Citywide Street & Traffic Rehabilitation ($470 million), Surface Water Transmission Program ($416 million), and Gate Expansion At Hobby Airport ($410 million). These initiatives are expected to commence in 2024.
Washington, District of Columbia
The City of Washington plans to spend $8.7 billion on capital projects in its 2024-2029 CIP, slightly less than the $ 9.1 billion spent in the 2023-2028 CIP. In addition, the new CIP includes 256 funded projects, whereas the previous CIP had 278 projects.
The most significant program is supporting the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) CIP contribution. This includes acquisitions of buses and subway cars, enhancements to bus storage, track replacement, power system upgrades, and rehabilitation of storage and maintenance facilities, summing up to approximately $1.8 billion. Moreover, the existing CIP encompasses thirteen projects valued at over $100 million. Noteworthy among these are the design and construction of the Correctional Treatment Facility ($277 million), Streetscapes And Beautification ($259 million), replacement of H Street Bridge ($220 million), and construction of the Saint Elizabeth's Medical Center ($125 million).
City of Charlotte, North Carolina
The City of Charlotte announced its plan to allocate approximately $5.6 billion towards capital projects in its 2024-2028 CIP. This represents an 8% increase from the previous CIP for the fiscal year 2023-2027, which had a budget of $5.1 billion.
The current capital improvement plan is set to fund 254 projects, a decrease from the 268 projects funded in the previous cycle. This plan has four projects valued at over $200 million and nine projects with a budget exceeding $100 million. Notable significant projects include the Fourth Parallel Runway ($940 million), Phase 1 of South Ramp Expansion ($423 million), Stowe Regional Water Resource Recovery Facility ($346 million), and Biosolids Program ($222 million), all scheduled to begin in 2024. The 2024-2028 plan also features other significant projects and programs, such as the Minor Stormwater Projects ($174 million), Concourse D-E Connector ($151 million), Upper Little Sugar Creek Trunk Sewer ($150 million), and Bus Replacements ($119 million).
City of Boston, Massachusetts
In its current CIP covering the 2024-2028 fiscal years, the City of Boston plans to spend approximately $4.2 billion on capital projects, a significant increase of 15% from $3.6 billion in the previous 2023-2027 CIP. The current CIP features 433 funded projects compared to 407 projects in its prior CIP.
The current capital spending comprises six projects valued at over $100 million and fourteen projects with a cost exceeding $50 million. The design and construction of the new facility for the Josiah Quincy Upper School, valued at $224 million, is the most significant undertaking of the current CIP. Other major projects are the design and construction of the North Washington Street Bridge ($223 million), improvement of the Sullivan Square/Rutherford Avenue ($171 million), renovation of the 26 Court Street building ($165 million), and Renewal Boston Trust Phase 3 ($122 million). These projects are anticipated to begin in 2024.
City of San Diego, California
In the CIP covering the 2024-2028 fiscal years, the City of San Diego plans to spend more than $3.3 billion, a slight decrease of 3% from $3.4 billion in its 2023-2027 CIP. The current CIP comprises 264, while the prior has 239 capital projects.
The current CIP has eight projects and programs worth over $100 million and five with a cost exceeding $50 million. The notable initiatives are the Water Main Replacements, Sewer Main Replacements, Pure Water Program, and Street Resurfacing and Reconstruction, which will cost $431 million, $297 million, $194 million, and $179 million, respectively. Other vital projects and programs include the Flood Resilience Infrastructure ($1515 million), Lake Hodges Dam Replacement ($150 million), Pure Water Phase 2 ($147 million), and Alvarado 2nd Extension Pipeline ($127 million). These initiatives are expected to begin in 2024.
City of San Jose, California
The City of San Jose plans to spend over $3.1 billion on capital projects in its 2024-2028 CIP. This is slightly less than what was spent in the 2023-2027 CIP, valued at $3.3 billion. In addition, the new CIP includes 1,161 funded projects, whereas the prior CIP has 1,162 projects.
The existing capital improvement plan encompasses six projects valued at over $100 million and five costing over $50 million. The most significant project is the Pavement Maintenance - Measure T Bond, which provides funding to resurface local and neighborhood streets in poor and failed conditions throughout the city, costing approximately $150 million. Other noteworthy projects are the Aeration Tanks and Blower Rehabilitation ($121 million), Pavement Maintenance – VTA 2016 Measure B ($109 million), East Primary Rehabilitation, Seismic Retrofit, and Odor Control ($108 million), and upgradation of the six existing anaerobic digesters ($108 million).
City of Dallas, Texas
The City of Dallas announced its plan to allocate approximately $1.43 billion in capital spending in its 2024-2025 cycle. This represents a 13% decrease from the previous CIP for the fiscal year 2023-2024, which had a budget of $1.64 billion.
The current CIP will fund fewer projects than the previous cycle, drastically decreasing to 888 from 1,424 projects. The most expensive project is the upgrade of Mains, Pump Stations, and Associated Facilities, which will cost $102 million. The plan also includes seven projects worth more than $50 million each. Some of the notable ones are the Convention Center Improvement ($77 million), the Mains-Pumping & Storage Fa - Pw40 ($72 million), the Elm Fork Water Treatment Plant ($64 million), and the Streets Resurfacing ($59 million).
How FirmoGraphs Can Help
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