200 million to re sod the National Mall. Can someone explain something to me.

[chelsea0011]

Just today I saw a post elsewhere (not DU) complaining about all the "waste" in the stimulus package. The complaint was, "can't we do it (re-sod the mall)for 199 million, or 150 million". But isn't the 200 million just the amount available so when it goes out to bid on there is money in the budget? And then the question is do you even want a mall? If it is indeed grass it needs maintenance or do these people think it should be paved over? Washington D.C. should be a beautiful place and needs upkeep.So what's the complaint?

[terisan]

1. More earth friendly groundcover needed-stipulate that and it will make sense to do it nt

[Wickerman]

2. If it costs 200 million to sod

how the fuck do those of so nimble mind think it could paved and kept up for anywhere near that amount? Checked the price of concrete lately?

[Thrill]

3. I guess the question is should it be in a stimulus package?

I would say yes, because I'm sure the people not working in DC wouldn't mind doing it

[spanone]

4. the national mall shit is out of the package....it's gone...dems took it out.

[mod mom]

5. Turn it into a community garden.

[LeftinOH]

6. but- doesn't the Mall already have sod with grass growing on it..??

[NV Whino]

8. Probably not after 4 million people attended the inauguration.

[Subdivisions]

11. It needed work before the Inaugural. n/t

[Subdivisions]

9. I was there on Inauguration day. It is in severe need of work. n/t

[supernova]

7. The mall does need some work

no question. The bare patches in the inauguration photos weren't just grass dying down for the winter.

Now, you could argue that some places could use more drought resistant plants and maybe some grasses designed for a drier environment. So, there are probably some things they could do there. But, like everything else, the initial outlay is going to be substantial.

I'm thinking you're correct, though that the $200 is just the allotment, and not that they would expect to spent that much, even on 2 miles worth of Mall. OTOH, I have a 2.5 acre yard. I once had a lawn service tell me they could do it all for only $500/month!! x(

[ThomWV]

10. It ain't cheap to keep a swamp looking like a golf course

[BirminghamExaminer]

13. if

200 people were paid $100,000 for a year to fix it, wait...what about next year?

[Still Sensible]

12. That cost is a joke

generally football fields can be re-sodded first class for about $50,000... so how many football fields could fit in the mall? I promise it is not 4,000.

[Zywiec]

15. and will it stimulate the economy?

:shrug:

[lumberjack_jeff]

14. The national parks service needs money

is $200m for DC the right project and the right price? Probably not. It's highly visible to the people who write budgets though.

[ensho]

16. Wash., D.C. was always known for its beauty

tree lined streets, many parks, interesting architecture, etc.

the mall should be repaired and maintained.

school kids from all the country come to see D.C. tourists are always there.

if we can't afford to keep our D.C. clean and beautiful - well, we are a stupid people.


(I've heard it has become less beautiful because of the cement security barriers everyplace)

[bdamomma]

17. won't this provision promote jobs??? isn't this what we should be doing?

promoting jobs.

[Vinca]

18. I'm totally puzzled why the grass on the mall is getting such a bad rap.

For some reason, the only thing that appears to me seen as a "real job" is paving a road or fixing a bridge. I wonder how many unemployed landscapers are in the DC area.