Investing for growth = municipal graft

I am in general skeptical about large municipal "development" projects such as streetcars, athletic facilities, tourist destinations, etc. Sure, someone always benefits but it is rare that the benefits actually exceed the costs. It is almost always one big graft machine wrapped up as investing in the future.

Future of D.C. streetcar remains in limbo by Andrew Mollenbeck would seem to support my priors.

The money quote:

“The streetcar program was organized somewhat backward,” says Leif Dormsjo, head of the District Department of Transportation.

He says previous leaders acquired vehicles and installed the track before the system was adequately designed. Now, the question concerns how fixable those issues are.