Opulent, op·u·lent-Ostentatiously rich and luxurious or lavish

Last Friday, Lenoir City officials held their grand opening/ribbon cutting for their new LCUB facility. The only word to describe the 85,000 sq. ft. facility would be opulent. Can't say that I've ever been in a building quit like it. I doubt seriously there is anything like it in the state. You might have to go to Trump Tower to even get close.

From the ornate ceilings to the floor to the furnishings to the paintings on the walls, no shortcuts were made. With a push of a button, the office desks can be raised or lowered to the users preferred height. Must have been four or five different conference rooms and a large banquet hall. The warehouse area is huge. But the real jewel in the crown would have to be the third floor. I guess it would be the penthouse. Plush doesn't really cover it. The manager's office is about the size of a modest home.  

No doubt LCUB had long outgrown their old buildings and desperately needed a new home. But it's hard to imagine the necessity of a 45-50 million dollar facility. This is what happens when there are no limits on spending, when money is no object especially when you're spending other peoples money.

For better or worse, the new building is there and we, LCUB rate payers, will be paying for it for a long, long time.