Quote:
Originally Posted by Table 5
Building pretty things causes people outside of your city to take notice. Notice enough to come visit your pretty things and spend their pretty money on goods and services. This could lead to more tax income for the city, allowing for the building of other pretty (and not so pretty) things.
Iconic structures are like investments. A little bit extra can go a long way. Nobody will visit a half-assed structure. You have to use your whole ass.
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People at large are not going to travel the world to see a freaking pedestrian bridge that traverses a small river. It may look nice, but its nothing special. Maybe a few architecture buffs here and there will make a trip.
Bridges that are special tourist attractions tend to be unique... as in they do something others haven't, or are historical. Traversing the "mighty" Bow River is not going to put this thing on any level that will provide any financial return on what will likely be a $50 million white elephant.
Like I said, I can understand not cheaping out on ugly... but a world class pedestrian bridge is about on par with owning a solid gold toilet seat.