MAROON said:

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$20mil for a restaurant and gift shop makes zero sense though.

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Actually, it's is very reasonable. Considering both of those things are already there, but in bad need of repair and renovation. I don't know what the state spent to renovate Indian Lodge in the Davis Mountains or the motor court in Balmorhea, but 20 million is a pittance and very reasonable. It makes a lot of sense, to update, renovate, and extend the life of the facilities.

Sounds to me like you just want it to remain a dump, or not even be there.

txags92 said:

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A. G. Pennypacker said:

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The Chicken Ranch said:

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I disagree. The facilities at BBNP are way below what you will find in most other national parks. We've stayed in lodging in ~10+ national parks, and the lodging/restaurant facilities at BBNP is the lowest of the low.

The lodging at Shenandoah NP is about like Big Bend, but the two restaurant facilities there are way better than what is at Chisos Basin. That was the only place we've been with lodging in as poor shape as BB.

Every other park we have been to has far superior facilities than what Big Bend has at Chisos Basin. It's really embarrassing how dilapidated and out dated they are. They should be renovated, updated and modernized. It was shame that it wasn't done.

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You have to remember that some people are opposed to any development in Big Bend. At least one person above responded that there never should have been paved roads in the park.

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Yeah, that is a bit extreme even for me, but not every park needs to be a luxury resort.

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That is ridiculous to think that anyone, including myself, is wanting a luxury resort in the Chisos Basin. A functional, safe, modern, updated facility is what is needed. As said above, it's probably going to have to shut down because it won't be safe. All because you think it shouldn't be there in the first place? Or 20 million is a waste? That's ridiculous.

And the folks that don't want paved roads in our national parks are the same ones that don't want us visiting them at all, enjoying them, or appreciating them.

Can't believe how opposed some of y'all are to maintaining and up keeping our national park facilities.

I think $20 million was probably very low compared to what it would take to make that facility top notch. Which is probably why they couldn't get anybody to take the contract. Building things hundreds of miles from the nearest suppliers with nowhere except the hotel you are working on to house crew is not an easy thing.

If they are going to have to eventually rebuild both the hotel and restaurant, I would rather see them commit to a real tear down and replace with a high quality facility instead of a bare budget half-assed rebuild of what is already there. Doing that would require setting up alternate crew lodging arrangements and would not be cheap.

I would also like to see them set up some kind of shuttle bus with remote parking that would allow people to still hike the trails in and around the basin while the construction is going on, rather than just shutting the whole thing down for several years, which is what was planned.

That is probably correct, and I agree with you. But 20 could be a huge band-aid until there is funding to do what you described.

txags92 said:

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MAROON said:

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$20mil for a restaurant and gift shop makes zero sense though.

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I am sure the distance from the nearest home depot/material suppliers played a big role. Transportation costs for the materials alone was probably one of the biggest cost items after labor. iven that it was a government contract, they probably had to use all legal labor as well.

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from my intel I was told that no contractors would bid on it due to the materials price increases, location, and no economically viable place to house their workers.

MAROON said:

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txags92 said:

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MAROON said:

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$20mil for a restaurant and gift shop makes zero sense though.

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I am sure the distance from the nearest home depot/material suppliers played a big role. Transportation costs for the materials alone was probably one of the biggest cost items after labor. iven that it was a government contract, they probably had to use all legal labor as well.

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from my intel I was told that no contractors would bid on it due to the materials price increases, location, and no economically viable place to house their workers.

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Yeah, I am thinking the only way to make it work would be to setup a trailer park but then you have to deal with the water, electricity, and waste. For a full commercial construction crew over the course of what is likely at least 18 months, that is a huge cost all by itself. Plus having to pay federal per diem to every worker and probably Davis Bacon wages. Just keeping the guys from going crazy with no place to blow off steam after work would be a challenge in itself. The more I think about it, the more I understand nobody wanting to bid it.

knoxtom said:

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There is only one way from Houston to BBNP and the drive sucks for 95 to 99% of it.

I have been there a few times, I have done quite a few hikes there. I've done the south rim, I have kayaked the canyon, I've done the MTB race in Lajitas. I do not really understand the appeal of BBNP.


I would describe it as follows... "Its a million miles to ok."


I hope you and your kids have a much better experience than I have ever had there.

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LOL

Big Bend is gorgeous. There's a beauty there that's unmatched but it's also more subtle than some of the other parks. But once you see it, you'll get it.

Wife and I just got back from Big Bend Chisos Basin campground over the Easter weekend. I really hope part of the renovation plan is adding additional bathroom stalls in the campground. 1 sh**er for that many guys to share is absurd. Both mornings there was a line for the stall

It is a beautiful place. And I appreciate the solitude. And I find desert landscapes to have a beauty all their own. Couple of photos from our Lost Mine hike 2 weeks ago.