Doesn't Add Up

The cost of NOVA Parks' renovation of Upton Hill Park ballooned by 30% over the last year from some $3 million to almost $4 million according to documents we received under the Virginia FOIA.

Although costs dramatically increased, NOVA Parks estimated $50,000 additional net yearly revenue (p. D-8) from the project remains the same. It could now take 80 years to recoup the $4 million investment.

Earlier this year we observed that three million dollars would not seem to cover all the work included in the May 2018 permit application filed with Arlington County. Thanks to NOVA Parks' decision in September 2018 to eliminate the new parking lot and road for the playground and save some trees, the costs of "renovations" should have declined.

What is driving the increase is difficult to tell because NOVA Parks says they don't have records that list the cost of the major parts of the project. But, the new budget figures break-out the upper parking lot expansion and the new oak/hickory forest planting:

  • Climbing facility with new control/concession building, lower park improvements including the playground and building renovations, and misc. work -- $3,052,642
  • Upper park parking lot expansion and planting an oak/hickory eco-system in meadow -- $900,000

Last year's budget included all this work in the original $3 million.

At least for the parking lot expansion, the larger parking lot and cistern to contain the greater amounts of water runoff from it are likely the vast majority of the expenses since the new eco-tree forest only cost some tens of thousands of dollars. Any heavy rain leads to a large amount of water runoff as our rainy summer and fall have shown.

Runoff from parking lot during November 24, 2018 rain storm

Still more money could be saved by preserving the green hill which attracts users through out the year. The new eco-forest of young trees though of relatively low cost will need funds, attention and maintenance if it is to thrive. As of November 25, trash already is starting to drift into the plantings.

SG, Re-think the Upton Hill development proposal _ Letters To Editor _ insidenova.com_28Nov18.pdf