Slow economy helps (!) St. Louis park expansion

Some local governments don't let the slow economy stop progress. The slow economy presents opportunities as well as difficulties. STLToday reports, The same sluggish economy that has put the squeeze on the department's operating budget has prompted county officials to embark on a massive construction plan to revamp the county's 12,300-acre park system for the next generation.

Nothing specific is on the table yet. But the county is talking about spending about $40 million over the next 20 years on new bike trails, pools, playgrounds, picnic shelters and restrooms - starting next year. . . .

Instead of tackling upgrades at the 59 parks in a piecemeal approach as the special sales tax money trickles in, the county could save money by financing dozens of projects at the same time, said Jim Baker, director of administration.

Because interest rates are low, the cost of retiring the debt on a large number of projects through the special sales tax is likely to be cheaper than the cost of stretching out construction projects for years, when the price tag could rise with inflation, Baker said.