Issue brief:

North Tract project

Arlington County is planning an elaborate sports complex on the "North Tract" -- including a $40-million aquatics center. But costs have skyrocketed, and the County has raided other projects for funds. Recently a key deal with private developers has fallen through, adding to taxpayer costs.

Background: Arlington County owns about 28 acres north of Crystal City (just east of I-395). That area had long been slated for some type of recreational development.

In 2003-04, the County unveiled plans for an elaborate sports-and-recreation complex on the site. In addition to soccer fields and a fitness center, the plan called for a $40-million aquatics center, with three Olympic-size pools and diving tank.

While there was general agreement on the need for soccer fields and open recreational space, many questioned the high-price aquatics center. Plans for the complex were still incomplete, and the County didn't even have a total cost estimate. Nonetheless, the all-Democrat Board approved the project in 2004, and sent it to voters for approval of a $50 million bond, even though it was widely recognized that was insufficient.

Since then, the estimated costs for the total project have escalated to more than $140 million, nearly three times the original bond issue. Some called for the project to be scaled back, but the Board has refused.

To help cover the shortfall, the County Board decided in early 2006 to transfer capital funds away from dozens of smaller neighborhood projects (including parks, streets, sidewalks and drainage). Civic associations were outraged, but the one-party Board has gone ahead, choosing to concentrate funds on one large showpiece.

But wait, there's more! In 2005, the County announced a deal with developers to provide some land and financing for the North Tract project. That deal fell through in September 2006, which removed an important land parcel, and represented a loss of $25 million pledged for the project. County taxpayers will be asked to make up that $25 million, and perhaps even more, if the County seeks to purchase the missing parcel. In the meantime, the County had begun to design buildings on land it didn't own -- a stunning waste of time and money.

What's next: Taxpayers will be stuck holding the bag, unless the County Board changes course. But Chris Zimmerman and the other Democrats on the Board have refused to do so.

The best option is to elect a new independent-minded member to the Board in 2006. GOP candidate Mike McMenamin unveiled a plan to restore balance and sound management to North Tract: by moving ahead on soccer fields, but putting the swimming pool complex on hold, and restoring money for important neighborhood projects. (See more on the McMenamin plan.)