Source?

That's actually not the reason why. If you figure the a average worker gets $50k or even $100k a year it would take hundreds or thousands of them doing nothing to equal to the tens and hundreds of millions lost to huge projects.

A study showed the reason costs overrun more in the US is because different government agencies poach from such an undertaking. For instance they needed a place to store stuff for the 2nd Ave subway, and they wanted to use a local playground for a few months. The parks department charged them an exorbitant amount (tens of millions of IRC) to do so.

In other countries government agencies act in unison. Here in the US city, state, federal are all separate, and hence it makes doing large projects more difficult and costly. Additionally underfunding our government makes them "thirsty" for these opportunities when they arise.

We sold our souls by cutting taxes to corporations and the wealthy and we end up paying for it in taxes, fees, and crumbling infrastructure.

This is not at all true. It was mostly true pre-2000, but not even close anymore.

Other than Stone Street, and not just bars (so not Stout, not Killarney, etc.) you also have Giardino D'Oro, Mezcali, Hey Thai, Blue Ribbon Sushi, Industry Kitchen, Tacombi, Reserve Cut, and Felice. Then you have the UrbanSpace that opened up recently with lots of food options (and a Top Hops craft beer/bottled beer place!)

Oh and a Whole Foods opened up near Wall/Bway.

Clearly you've never been to Stone Street. There's tons of places open south of Fulton st.

People don't want = owners can't charge the high rent they'd want to.

So instead of a luxury apartment, with super rich folks, you might only get an expensive apartment with people that can barely afford it. And every building owner thinks they deserve the former.

Sound like you don't go out ever. You don't drink? Edibles?

No karaoke? No club night?

Do you only do free things? No ice skating? No concerts? No plays? No movies?

Do your friends have birthday dinners/parties? Do you buy them birthday gifts?

That's like what, 40-50 trips? Bro probably hops the turnstile.

That and $30 a month for toiletries give me the impression that they're male.

Do you have health insurance?

Agree that we need to take real action to curb homelessness and help the mentally ill. Addressing homelessness is usually done by creating free/inexpensive housing. The latter would be solved with true government available healthcare.

The problem with implementing either is a sizeable percentage of the population won't tolerate people getting stuff for free, and will vociferous oppose and vote against their tax money going to "moochers". The "they bought filet mignon with food stamps" style memes would be everywhere.

So we'll probably end up doing what we always do. Give more money to cops and hope they can sort it out. (Hint: At $11B, it's the most expensive PD in the country, and they are not equipped to solve homelessness.)