Editor,

Langley isn’t the first city to build a funicular to connect a bluff to a beach. In 2009, Dana Point, Calif. built such a funicular as part of a deal with a developer. The result may be a warning for those who think a funicular is the best possible investment of hard-to-come-by capital improvement funds intended to boost economic development.

The initial annual maintenance cost was budgeted to be $70,000 per year, which included putting $12,400 per year into a reserve fund for the express purpose of replacing the cab and mechanical equipment in 20 years. City officials and the manufacturer of the equipment projected that replacement cost would be $300,000. Their calculation proved to be a gross underestimation.

The funicular car did not stand up to the rigors of its seaside location, suffering frequent breakdowns and other problems. In 2014, after only five years, the car had deteriorated so severely that the city had to purchase a new sturdier car for $750,000, 15 years earlier than they had planned. They hope the new sturdier car will hold up for 10 years.

There is no indication that the funicular company was at fault or anything other than a solid company with a good reputation. It was just wrong. Dana Point paid a big price for their error.

You never know about these things, so small communities such as ours, one-thirtieth the size of Dana Point and without deep pockets, should probably avoid taking the risk.

SHARON EMERSON

Langley