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While my "feedback" was specifically addressed to NBC4 News, it applies to the media in general:

"Yesterday I saw a new television commercial for NBC4 News. Jim Vance says that NBC4 News does “in-depth reporting” and “asks probing questions” (paraphrased). Not so. NBC4, as well as the other media outlets, is failing to provide “in-depth reporting” and to ask “probing questions” on a big story in metro DC—the Silver Spring Transit Center. 

Media have reported that the opening for the brand new SSTC is delayed because of serious flaws (extensive concrete cracking, slabs more than an inch less thick than what they’re supposed to be, exposed reinforcement, missing reinforcement, 250 beams that are under-designed, leaks, etc.). A report commissioned by Montgomery County, MD (which can be downloaded from Montgomery County’s website) attributes the serious flaws to errors and omissions by the SSTC’s builder/contractor Foulger/Pratt, its engineer/designer Parsons Brinkerhoff and the concrete inspection and testing firm, Balter Co. Media have also reported that WMATA is waffling over accepting the SSTC for operation and maintenance (in an agreement with Montgomery County signed before design and construction began) because of the serious construction flaws and WMATA’s concern that these flaws will result in extraordinarily high future operation and maintenance costs. Media have also reported that the $120 million (and counting) SSTC is over budget. Media reported that current repairs cost $10.8 million. 

In-depth reporting? Probing questions? Hardly. Media haven’t asked Montgomery County why they’re proceeding with repairs to the SSTC without public input. Montgomery County continues to press ahead with repairs (including a concrete overlay scheduled for the spring after freezing weather has passed) without holding public hearings to explain to the public what they’re doing and why. Shouldn’t media find it strange that Montgomery County is proceeding with repairs to the brand new, yet-to-be-opened  SSTC without explaining to the public on the record what they’re doing and why, to answer the public’s questions (since the media aren’t) and to take public comments for the record? After all, Montgomery County reports on its website that 53% of the funding for the SSTC are federal funds (Federal Transit Administration), 11% Maryland Mass Transit Administration and 36% Montgomery County. The SSTC is a public facility that we are all paying for. Media haven’t asked Montgomery County whether or not the County feels that it has met its responsibilities to those who are paying for the SSTC. 

There are other obvious questions. Why have these serious flaws only come to light when the SSTC is almost complete? Why weren’t they discovered and addressed sooner, particularly in light of Montgomery County’s construction management team of County employees full time on the project during construction (not to mention periodic inspections by other Montgomery County and WMATA personnel)? Media hasn’t asked Montgomery County why they selected Foulger-Pratt to build the SSTC, Parsons Brinkerhoff to design it or the Balter Co. to inspect and test the concrete and to serve as special quality inspector for the project? Were political contributions part of the selection process? Why wasn’t the SSTC bid for construction, as has been standard practice for public works’ projects for decades? Why hasn’t the Federal Transit Administration required public hearings and an investigation into the possible misuse of federal funds? Why hasn’t the State of Maryland done the same? Is the SSTC safe? Montgomery County and its paid consultants say that it’s safe. Shouldn’t there be an independent (by those who aren't paid for by Montgomery County) investigation and report to the public? We’ll never know the answer to these and other questions as long as the media fails to provide in-depth coverage and to ask probing questions."