MAPS 3 Leader chosen

[Popsy]

Some people on here will be critical of any project the city does unless it fits their own personal agenda.

This statement is true on most any project, be it city or not.

[andy157]

I think there are some on here who have NO clue as to how development projects work. I deal worldwide with large commercial construction projects and can tell you that it is nearly impossible to totally forecast the cost of materials in projects that develop over long periods of time. For instance, the original estimates of the Devon tower have been reduced by almost 25%, not because the project manager was so smart, but from the time it was conceived til bids were let, the cost of materials plummeted due to the recession. Sometimes it works in reverse such as in the ballpark, etc. A couple of years ago we saw cost of copper piping rise nearly 300% within a few short months. Project costs skyrocketed. Steel did similarly. Concrete too. When there were few work crews available nationally with the building boom, labor costs escalated. Most vendors do not lock in pricing long term and the ones who do generally find themselves out of business when they are caught in an escalating market.

The voters think they want pay as you go and over a long period, but the longer the period the more risk...period. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. To blame Wenger for the cost overruns is gross over-simplification and reveal the commenter to have no insight into the process. Original estimates are just that...estimates. Actual costs are not know until bidding takes place. Efficient oversight and proper contractor selection can save SOME cost, but not like many of you think. It is simple economics.

Some people on here will be critical of any project the city does unless it fits their own personal agenda. That is sad. Fortunately, in general the citizenship and leadership is smarter than that.

Your not telling us that after the bidding has taken place, and the winning bidder has been awarded the contract, that his bid will be the actual cost, are you?

[Rover]

There can be design changes, etc. that affect final costs. And, if the project is for an extended period of time, there can be escalation clauses from some vendors. Weather and other things can also affect costs. It isn't always as cut and dried as outsiders tend to think. Trying to forecast exact costs of projects extending over nearly 10 years is nearly impossible. I am sure they projected some escalation factors, but they don't have a crystal ball. However, if the economy is active, then sales tax revenue probably will be too.