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The proposed North Tract/Longbridge aquatics-recreation center on a 28-acre site that contains toxic waste leftover from many years of railroad yard use may cost in excess of $100 million.  The proposal is to add large swiming pools and recreation ball fields.

The site is alongside I-395 and the railroad line that cross the Potomac River into Arlington.  The site is surrounded by abandoned buildings and commercial office buildings.  There are few residential apartment buildings within walking distance, and the location is difficult to reach even by car.

Very few Arlingtonians live adjacent to it.  Why did county officials agree to take ownership of this toxic waste site which will require millions of dollars to remedy?
 
    Building an aquatics center in North Tract is ridiculous given that all three new high schools will have NEW swiming pools at double or triple their current size.  Taxpayers are spending upwards of $400 million for the new schools with their pools.  Why not go  over to one of them and swim or to the Upton Hill public pool on Wilson Blvd to swim in the summer?  Moreover, the high school pools are smack in the middle of residential areas and acessible to more residents.
 
     The real purpose of the North tract project is to subsidize the landowners next door who will benefit when this toxic dump is cleaned up at public expense.  Democratic board members are working in the interests of landowners in Crystal City, just like they are trying to get the Columbia Pike trolley to subsidize landowners on the Pike.