In 1993, Congress appropriated the initial funds for a renovation project. Meanwhile, the Park Service considered several preservation plans. In mid-1994, the agency opted for the much more expensive alternative of returning the chalets to traditional use. This meant building large outhouses at the chalets to handle hiker traffic and improving the sewer and water systems, so that they met federal and state environmental standards. But the project has proven more costly than anticipated.
Officials insist they have been frugal.
The Park Service says any new building must be constructed to withstand fierce weather conditions. Both the Granite Park and Sperry chalets are covered in snow most of the year and work can be done for only about three months. And because the chalets are historic, the agency says, federal law requires new structures to be built in the same fashion. But not everyone thinks the job should be quite so expensive. Privately, some Park Service officials grumble that overhead costs are way out of line.