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March 18, 2006
SPENDING $68,000 for 6 Chess Tables in what was a beautiful Downtown Plaza is a "Bunch of Bunk"
Can you imagine spending more that $10,000 for each of 6 so-called Chess Tables as part of the reconstruction of the Downtown Plaza (renamed by me as Downtown Disneyland)? I secured a copy of the contract, dated 27th February, 2006, between the City and Elizabeth Devereaux, which provides her (along with at least 2 subcontractors) $68,000 to construct 6 Chess Tables (also referred as Game Tables). I have to assume the City believes “money grows on trees� and there is no limit on what it pays for its toys.
Recall that there was an Editorial and Letters to the Editor when it was revealed that Devereaux was to receive $250,000 for her work in connection with art projects relating to the Downtown Plaza reconstruction--without the City requesting bid proposals, which is normal with City contracts. I can’t believe that there aren’t others in our art community who could perform the same work that has been assigned to Devereaux. I’ll be monitoring other contracts to determine what additional work Devereaux will perform.
Previous City Councils and Park Commissions had developed a plan, and were in the process of implementing the replanting of trees and other work, to replace the removal of the aged Elm trees. That plan recognized the need to upgrade the sidewalks and other facilities that could have easily been completed with an expenditure of well under $500.000. Out of the “clear blue sky� came the present plan, estimated to cost in excess of $4,000,000—it will probably end-up costing close to $5,000,000. After receiving bids for the reconstruction work (now under contract) the City had to supplement the bid by approximately $900,000--who were the City employees or contract architects that made the original cost estimate?
After spending in excess of $4,000,000 for the reconstruction, I don’t recall that the City Council was provided with the cost of maintaining the reconstructed Downtown Plaza—it will cost plenty considering the maintenance of the new facilities.
Posted by at March 18, 2006 02:05 PM