Economic Feasibility of the District of Columbia's Proposed Civic Center

Analysis of the economic feasibility of the civic center proposed for the District of Columbia did not result in definite views due to the existence of several significant areas of uncertainty. These areas of uncertainty were: (1) whether the center could attract the additional visitors and related private development to produce a profit to the city as predicted; (2) whether the District could control construction schedules and relocate the people on the site in a timely manner that avoids costly delays; (3) whether the District could provide for the effective management of the center which is vital to its successful operation; and (4) how the effect of inadequate parking spaces and direct subway connections have on the expected delegate business and costs of operating the center. The economic feasibility of the center depends heavily upon the number of additional visitors it attracts to Washington. If the number of visitors falls short of the estimates, then the benefits to the city will be reduced in about the same proportion. A consultant hired by the District emphasized that the center must be well-designed, well-managed, and well-located in order to realize a profit for the city. The accuracy of the final cost estimate of the center and the ability of the District to prevent construction delays that will escalate costs were doubtful.