Posted on 04/07/2013 9:50:43 AM PDT by grundle
It expects to build 23 more at over $900,000 a piece
The city of Arlington just recently opened an impressive bus stop with a not-so-impressive price tag of $1 million. The “super stop” in Arlington, Virginia is unlike any other bus stop. It has a custom designed roof made of glass and steel; a wall of etched glass; heaters in the floor; gorgeous landscaping, and concrete/stainless steel benches.
The bus stop has 10-inch high curbs, 90 feet of concrete and can shelter 15 people at a time while waiting for buses to arrive – all at a cost of $1 million.
The cost comes down to $575,000 for construction/fabrication and $440,000 for construction management and inspections, where federal/state money took care of 80 percent of the total price tag.
When Arlington citizens discovered the cost of the super stop, many were outraged.
“That’s ridiculous,” said Robin Stewart, a citizen who was waiting at the super stop. “From a citizen, from a voter, whoever put that budget through needs to get their butt canned. It’s an outrage.”
The super stop opened on March 11, and 23 more are planned for Arlington’s streetcars. The county has set aside $20.8 million for all of them, which is about $904,000 a piece.
The idea behind the fancy bus stops is to not only accommodate Arlington’s plans for its streetcars and buses (about 16,000 people use the Columbia Pike buses for transportation) but to also draw people to the area. New housing is expected to be built in the area over the next two decades, and the county hopes the bus stops will help it flourish.
“When you do a prototype, you end up heavily front-loading on the costs,” said Dennis Leach, Arlington’s transportation director. “These are more like high-capacity bus or rail stops.”
But citizens are concerned about the budget, saying that Arlington can build nice bus stops without having to spend $1 million.
“Oh my God. How much steel? How much cement? How much glass? One million? Bring them to court,” said Husain Hamid, who was waiting at the super stop. “People are hungry. People are sleeping on the street. It doesn’t need $1 million.”
Not with paying inspectors enforcing all those regulations and everyone being paid high union wages. I imagine there were plenty of committees just to decide what folige to plant.
Crony capitalism at it’s finest. A select few got a mint in exchange for kickbacks.
Well Husain, now you'll be able to share your new bus stop with the homeless! They'll be cozying right next to you on those neat concrete/stainless steel benches. Skip the double-tall mocha latte and drop your five bucks in their cup...what's that? You didn't expect them to be that close to you? Oh, sure you can skip the expensive latte! Hey, where you going? come back! Oh, nice gesture, Husain! Damn hypocritical liberal...
Somebody got a nice fat contract with this one.
I live in Arlington....along the Pike, and know the new site. I live on down the street. What I have for a bus stop is a plain simple brick deal...built in the 1970s...probably for less than $1k. It has a roof and does pretty well.
What the Arlington folks are doing...is attracting up and young players who work in DC and pull down a $80k or better salary a year. It’s the same thing for the stupid trolley car that is being planned, and the other various projects. They figure if they come...they will spend money, and be willing to pay $2k a month on rent for upper-class apartments. It’s that simple. In less than twenty years...no one making $40k a year or less...will be able to live in the region of Arlington, that’s my humble prediction.
How long until it’s all tagged with graffiti?
and America takes another one in the........
Well, we can pretty much know where the majority of that money went.
No arguments from me on any of your accounts. I too am forced to pay for public transportation through my taxes, and would have to drive 7 miles to pick up the nearest bus.
Then, when you look at the cost of using public transportations, taking the light rail to the destination, then hopping 2 buses for me to get to work - not only does driving save me 1+ hours each way; it’s also about half the price.
I really can’t see where MOST Arlington County VA voters have a problem with the cost or this bus stop...
Voting for 2012
BO/joebama 81 thou- 34 thou
Kaine/(Sen) 82 thou - 32 thou
Moran/(Cong) 74-33
Bond issue for Metro(32 bill) (local bus/subway)/Transportation 89 thou - 22 thou
They wanted the LIBS, they got ‘em....live with it...
Except WE are paying for their folly.
As you can see, these bus stops are very busy!
It has to shelter a lot of graft in addition to people.
Keeps the union workers happy and the (mafia style connected) contractors happy. Hacks got kickbacks so a win-win all ways around. It cost Arlington only $200,000. State and Federal taxpayers picked up $800,000 of the cost
It will make a nice homeless shelter.
...and a new blank canvas for aspiring street artists (in the good ole days, “vandals”).
Our wise leaders continue, as ever, to fritter away money while taxes rise and the economy sinks.
Is ANYBODY in charge around here????
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