The efficiencies of government-contractor partnerships in urban Massachusetts.

The four corners outside my window are being rebuilt with granite curbs and wheelchair ramps. This has been going on since mid-July (it should not have taken more than four days total, which is more than what it would take in New York). Today, an excavator with hydraulic breaker attachment is breaking out chunks of temporary asphalt sidewalk (an unnecessary expense) on the other side of the street. The corners on this side of the street have been half-resurfaced with cement--the truck ran out both days it was here (Tuesday and Wednesday. Detail cop both days). Today's detail cop has not shown up yet. I'm buying more and more stuff online to keep sales tax from going to this machine.