The publication of the DeVoe Moore Center’s policy study, Cost Overruns and Public Infrastructure: The Case of Tallahassee’s Cascades Park and Trail, the culmination of more than three years of research, generated substantial press coverage as well as resident comment. This page provides links to the press coverage as published responses to the study.
Feature News Coverage
- Capital City Amphitheater struggles to break even, DeVoe Moore Center study shows, April 29, 2019
- Study: Cascades park, infrastructure projects cost taxpayers millions more than expected, April 30, 2019
Opinion and Commentary
- Downtown festivals about much more than just dollars, Elizabeth Emmanuel, May 1, 2019
- Technology-focused approach to community feedback needed, by Catherine Annis, May 11, 2019
- Cascades Park analysis focused on spending, not benefits – purposefully, by Samuel R. Staley, May 13, 2019
- Increased public engagement will lead to better, more prosperous community, by Will Crowley, May 16, 2019
Letters to the Editor
“Cascades Park report highlights local government overspending”
Interesting article about Cascades Park and the ‘cascading’ costs attributed to it. It seems that city and county officials were much too defensive about the report done by the DeVoe Moore Center. There should be a lot of questions about a project that has an original budget of $23 million and ended costing over $65 million.
The footbridge cost $7.2 million but it does go to the park and should be included. When you have 165 change orders and go $42 million over budget, it makes you wonder why even fool with a budget.
Mickey Brady, Havana, mbrady1033@ aol.com, Tallahassee Democrat, April 30, 2019, p. 4A.
“Cascades Park report misses main point”
With all due respect to the DeVoe Moore Center’s report, the city of Tallahassee, Leon County and Blueprint 2000 deserve high praise – not criticism – for envisioning, creating and managing a truly unique community asset in Cascades Park.
A fair and objective analysis would have concluded that Cascades Park was, and remains, a wise investment in our community. It will provide positive cultural, recreational, environmental and developmental benefits to generations of Tallahasseans and out of town visitors.
Ralph A. DeMeo, Tallahassee, RDeMeo@BakerDonelson.com, Tallahassee Democrat, April 30, 2019, p. 4A.
Zing! Reader’s Opinions Stated Succinctly
(Anonymously published in the Tallahassee Democrat)
- “One man’s ‘crown jewel of a park’ does not justify its runaway costs.” (April 30, 2019)
- “Cascades Park is a big reason Tallahassee just got named one of the 10 best cities in the South. Can’t put a price tag on that!” (April 30, 2019)
- “Not everything has to make money – particularly not public parks.” (April 30, 2019)
- “Spend more on parks, less needed for prisons.” (April 30, 2019)
- “Tallahassee is chasing an 18-hour downtown chimera. Taxpayers shouldn’t have to foot the bill.” (April 30, 2019)
- “By reducing Cascades to a profit and loss statement, the DeVoe Moore Center once again demonstrates the fallacy of knowing the price of everything and the value of nothing.” (May 1, 2019)
- “Surprise! Government is not an efficient manager of resources.” (May 1, 2019)
- “The only parks I know that are not in the red are owned by Disney. Go Cascades – you rock.” (May 2, 2019)
- “By the time folks realize CBD doesn’t make their life any better, there will be many new millionaires out there.” (May 2, 2019)
- “The USA hasn’t turned an economic profit in ages. Time to pull the plug, I guess.” (May 3, 2019)
- “Public roads are also not showing a profit.” (May 4, 2019)
- “Neither Tom Brown Park nor Gaines Street have shown a profit. Maybe we should build a Whataburger instead.” (May 6, 2019)