I disagree that there has to be a cogent alternative. Just plain cease work at this istant and leave it be as-is and forget about it.
Just the fact that people like you insist for constructive alternatives is the problem. As long as there is discussion (well-intended) on anything that goes awry, with an eye toward "saving it" or salvaging what good that can be had, then every bloody politician will know that all they have to do is simply bamboozle you just enough to get you to approve the start of ANY project. Because once it goes off-kilter you will seek a "solution". This will beget you more of the same, ad nausea, in perpetuity.
The way to STOP this kind of crap fro happening again is to cease work right this instant in its present uusable state. Thenceforth every generation of voter will be wiser about letting pols sell ignorant public on pipe dreams.