The DC site was a challenging location...from what I understand (this was a District DOT managed and lead project) $1m was necessary for the site development costs since the bikestation structure was built on top of the active underground rail yards for the Union Station - necessitating reinforcing the vault ceiling of the ~100 year old underground structure, relocating utilities, etc.

I have no doubt that Portland Bikestation(s) would be both larger and more in line with Portland budgets. Bikestation designs and manages facilities and at locations that our local partners choose to develop and fund for purposes of bike parking services. Our new $100,000 bikestation module (36 parking spaces for up to 80 shared users) is the only facility we have near total cost and design control over.

In Chicago, the Millenium Cycle Center, now known as the McDonald's Cycle Center cost $3.2 Million. It is 16,000 sf and provides quite a bit more than the D.C. Bikestation. (www.chicagobikestation.com) To finance this project Chicago also bellied up to the Federal teet, and received grants from the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration for projects that lessen traffic congestion and improve air quality. Hey Portland wants to to lessen traffic congestion and improve air quality.