Make it work! (Please?)

"Do you want to see where the action is? For starters, drive out to Brooklyn Park by 610 and look at the every growing Target Complex..."

The other day when we were out driving around, I could not help notice the huge presence Wells Fargo now has in large office buildings on the west side of town. I was wondering why they would need to expand out there when they have that huge office tower in downtown Minneapolis. Or - are they pulling a TCF? Are they leaving downtown for cheaper rent and a much better venue?

Anyhow, let us not be concerned with facts. Like the fact downtown has a small footprint for large companies to locate in. Sure, there are still some places to work downtown, but the action seems to be happening on and around the beltways. So the question (once again) begs to be asked - why in the Sam Hill are we spending billions on choo choo trains which will take people from the suburbs into downtown? And the price for these trendy trains keep going up all the time.

Today, it was reported the Bottineau Line running from Brooklyn Park to Target Field is having some minor cost inflation. In other words, it was priced the way that government usually prices things. In other words, about a half a billion shy of what it is now estimated to cost. But who cares? According to statist Peter McLaughlin, a Hennepin County Commissioner, the price increase is not that bad. Besides, it is close enough so we can still qualify for some of that Federal Money. And now that all spending brakes have been removed from the federal budget, there is money a plenty to be had!

The evil and statist group referred to as the Met Council will continue this journey into madness no matter how expensive and ridiculous it becomes. The current price tag for the SWLRT is about $1.7 billion. And that is after going on a mandatory financial diet. The new price for the Bottineau Line is about $1.5 billion. And that number is ripe for increase due to soil conditions, wetland mitigation and so forth.

The only good news is (rumor has it), there has been so much pushback on the cost and necessity for both the SWLRT and the Bottineau Lines, this might be it. No more. Of course we would still be stuck with the cost of nearly empty trains going from a vacant downtown to the burbs. Oh well, they do look nice. Pretty colors. And let us not forget this most important thing - they are trendy.

As the Met Council's transportation geeks continue to live in la-la land, those of us out here in "realville" are fight growing congestion just trying to get from point "A" to point "B". And the demographers have very bad news for us. By 2040, the population of the metro area is projected to be almost 4 million people. Just five years ago, it was under 3 million people. With the Met Council refusing to plan any additional lanes or highways, roads will continue to be WYSISYG (what you see is what you get). Or - absolute and total gridlock.

Well played Met Council! You really did have your eye on the ball! Try to stay in government if you can. The reason for that is simple. The way you plan and waste money, NOBODY in the private sector would EVER hire you. Nobody.