Rialto Bridge: Costs Revealed

Pop Quiz:  Where can you find unfair government subsidies to a private company until it is profitable enough to pay the same as its competitors, overinflated revenue projections to make a pet project look more appealing, public money used to maintain an apparent private building all wrapped into one?  Answer:  Rialto Bridge. 

Rialto Bridge is a ‘private/public partnership’ scheme that City Council has already committed $145,090 to.  A quick glance at the Memorandum from City Staff to City Council for the  Tuesday, October 12th Study Session tells the story.  During a period when other capital projects included in the City’s master plans are funded but on hold due to operation and maintenance cost concerns, Rialto Bridge seems to be moving forward regardless of other priorities citizens have chosen following proper procedure.  Due to current economic conditions, one has to wonder how City Council could consider another project that may put City Staff wage increases in limbo, after being frozen for nearly two years. 

What’s worse, in my opinion, is the extreme lack of following the limits government should stay within.  The short 4 page Memo can be found here, but I’ve picked a few phrases out that should get all concerned, especially those struggling to keep their restaurants profitable: