Predictably, Richmond’s performing arts center mess came down to who got control of the property. Both sides do.
And, on the surface, everything looks fine. All parties win on paper, full speed ahead. No need for anybody to actually, y’know, read the report justifying it or anything. I mean, it seems so straightforward: The city gives up $25 million and gets the title to the Carpenter Center (now the Carpenter Theater) and the Virginia Performing Arts Foundation — or Newco or Ammalgamated Incorporated or whatever they are called now— will own it forever “for tax and financial planning purposes.”
Huh?
But somehow this complicated, near-loopy arrangement seems… right for this particular project. As Jim Ukrop poignantly told NBC12 news last night: “It didn’t really matter that much. We’ll have control of the lease for my generation, for my children’s generation…”
And that’s all that really matters, right?
Of course, this whole proposal is subject to the authority and oversight of the Mayor through some newly-proposed committees (gosh, we love us some committees around here). City council will not be required under this plan, thank you very much. That was the first bit of breaking news at the press conference yesterday, where Wilder also informed a throng of reporters, civic activists, bloggers, arts supporters and curious Martin Agency employees that it was actually his idea to include Foundation members on the performing arts committee. Blow me down! (Question: why in the world would he do that?)
And he gave his blessing to the long-awaited performing arts commitee report. Here are key excerpts from the report’s Executive Summary:
Financial support for Richmond CenterStage includes $25 Million “City of the Future” funding, $20+ Million private support, plus $5.7 Million of State and Federal grants, and expected historic tax credits and funds on hand. In summary, the Committee recommends that:
? The City of Richmond would take title to the expanded Carpenter Theater, as part of its $25 Million “City of the Future” funding.
? A special purpose, public-private Limited Partnership (“Newco LP”) would be established to serve as the master developer and operator of Richmond CenterStage.
? Under long-term leases and agreements, Newco LP would lease the Carpenter Theater from the City and the Dorothy Pauley Square facilities from the Foundation.
? For tax and financial planning purposes, Newco LP would be viewed as the owner of the entire Richmond CenterStage project, including the Carpenter Theater and Dorothy Pauley Square; and the City, Foundation and tax credit investors would become the Limited Partners of Newco LP.
? A new not-for-profit entity, Newco GP, would serve as Newco LP’s General Partner; and Mayor Wilder would appoint its Board of Directors, with input from the arts community and the Foundation.
? The Public-Private Partnership structure would enable Newco LP and the City of Richmond to enter into a comprehensive agreement for Newco’s development of Richmond CenterStage.
? The Board of Newco GP would carry out its work through two committees, the Building Committee and Operations Committee.
? The Building Committee would oversee all aspects of the renovation and construction of Richmond CenterStage facilities.
? The Operations Committee would manage and operate Richmond CenterStage’s facilities and the Landmark Theater.
? The Foundation will continue fundraising to build an Operating Endowment that would support facilities operations, stabilize rental rates for local arts groups and help fund capital repairs.
? The current construction budgets and timetables would be maintained for Richmond CenterStage to be completed on budget and on time.
? The Music Hall site on Broad Street would first serve as a construction site, and then could be an outdoor park or performance space until its ultimate and best use is determined.
? The Foundation and the City would continue to jointly seek potential commercial development of the Broad Street site that may include a Music Hall or other performing arts facility.
? Improvements to the Landmark Theater should focus on loading dock and acoustical reflectors; and improvements for Landmark’s patrons would include additional restrooms, ADA compliance and interior painting.
There’s some good stuff in there. Anyone wanna argue that the Landmark doesn’t need some work too? And if the Mayor chooses inclusive and knowledgable people to helm the thing, and mans those committees with more representatives from “the arts community” than representives of “the Foundation,” it could even be something that works.
But get into the actual report and you start to see that much is missing. As Eagle Eyes pointed out in an email that accompanied various other missives among people who have studied this project for awhile, the committee’s output says nothing about verifying future private pledges - “that is how it all went bad the first time.”
Soon, all kinds of red flags were being raised…
And who pays for cost overruns?
And why isn’t accountability written into the report specifically?
… they spent 1.2 Million Dollars before they even had a new concept?
And so on and so on… The Performing Arts Committee report has been nothing if not good conversation fodder. But is it the best we can get? The mayor says he likes it and wants it. The Virginia Performing Arts Foundation (obviously) wants it. The arts groups affiliated with the Virginia Performing Arts Foundation say they want it. Do you want it?
Read the plan and mull that question over. Start your own chain of emails with friends. Ask them, and ask yourself, if the PAC Committee’s effort reads more like a first draft that needs some retooling before the city lets Newco — or JamestownShellCo or Ambusto or whatever it is — receive $25 million and a place in line ahead of building new schools. With all due respect to the mayor, who used the word “accountability” a lot yesterday — if he can break this kind of convoluted bread with the Virginia Performing Arts Foundation after their continued lack of same, Deborah Jewell-Sherman should be easy potatoes.
