A wave of criticism hits a multi-million dollar construction project on the coast.
State lawmakers gave the ok to rebuild a pier at Nags Head.
Government watchdogs say they're sending taxpayer money down the drain.
It used to be known as Jennette's Pier.
That's until Hurricane Isabel destroyed it in 2003.
Now, the state has big plans for what will become the North Carolina Aquarium Pier at Nags Head.
"It's the right thing to do at the very right time," said Rep. Daniel McComas, (R) New Hanover.
McComas is one of three co-sponsors of House Bill 628 signed into law by the governor last month.
Democratic representatives Timothy Spear and Bill Owens also sponsored the bill.
It promises to rebuild the pier and add a two-story building largely used for education.
It will also include green technology to generate wind and solar power.
Supporters promise 1,800 jobs during construction.
"We need to get the people working. how do you explain to someone who is sitting at the kitchen table, talking to his family, and how are we gonna make ends meet? I can't find a job," McCamos said.
"Immediately of course we want to see people work, but work that isn't just here and gone tomorrow," said Jana Benscoter, Civitas Institute Researcher.
Benscoter is a budget watchdog who questions the project's value.
Supporters insist it will have a lasting economic benefit of $14-million.
Yet, that falls short of the price tag that could run up to $25-million.
Benscoter says that's only part of the risk.
"You've got this $25-million being built, used to construct this 2-story pier house in an area that's known to be hit by hurricanes,” Benscoter said.
Benscoter worries another storm could blow $25-million of taxpayer money.
Representative McComas says the project is “shovel ready.”
And, that the work will begin soon.
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