The service's auditors found that the cost of the kitchen renovation — estimated at $151,000 — had ballooned to $308,000. Thats steep, since taxpayers had paid to remodel the kitchen in 1988. And 1968. And 1958. Apparently, the place needed "seamless Corian countertops." That boosted the price 17 percent. And then there's the dishwasher that does a load in 90 seconds. It cost $4,717. Installation of the dishwasher incurred an additional $12,479. "Justification for this type of dishwasher," the auditors noted, "was not documented."
Academy officials say the 1930s-era home is often host to public gatherings that require a big kitchen. But the bean counters werent swayed. Nor were they moved by the Air Forces official grounds for the remodeling — that "the area is always hot, the lighting is poor, the refrigerator is not functional for a family." Sort of makes the $2.4 billion B-2 bomber seem like a steal.