Wed 30 Nov 2005
The New York Times has this article about Zankel Hall. They discuss how the reconfigurable features of the hall not only increased it’s initial cost, but also actually limit the use of those features. It costs $10,000 to modify the hall’s confiugration for a performance and then return it to it’s normal configuration.
Tue 22 Nov 2005
The city of Richmond, Virginia is number 5 on the latest list of most dangerous cities:
Richmond beat out Baltimore, Maryland; Atlanta, Georgia; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Gary, Indiana.
Is Richmond really this dangerous? Is it ALL of Richmond, or just the “bad” parts of town?
Here’s the press release from Morgan Quitno; and an article on CNN.com.
Thu 17 Nov 2005
Four more of the VAPAF’s leadership have resigned: “Booty” Armstrong, John Sherman Jr., Judy Ford, and Michelle Walter. Armstrong also withdrew his family’s pledge of up to $1M to the foundation.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch has an article.
Fri 11 Nov 2005
Below is the full text of the press release from the Mayor’s office:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, November 11, 2005
CONTACT: Linwood Norman
646-0434
MAYOR APPOINTS COMMITTEE ON THE PERFORMING ARTS
Mayor L. Douglas Wilder will appoint a committee to be tasked with addressing the City’s long-term performing arts needs at the Carpenter Center and the Thalhimer’s block on Broad Street.
The committee will have nine members, including Jean Boone, Tom Farrell, David Fisk, William H. Goodwin, and James Ukrop. The Mayor will be announcing the other members shortly.
“I have wanted to be able to support a realistic endeavor to accomplish the stated ends and am pleased we have been able to come this far,” said Mayor Wilder.
Foundation Chairman James Ukrop concurred, stating that “We are confident that this committee will find exciting and realistic ways to make our vision a reality. A city as rich in culture and history as Richmond deserves an unparalleled venue to showcase its unique collection of performing arts groups. We owe it to our region’s many talented artists and the generous patrons who support them to work together constructively in creating a performing arts center we can all be proud of.”
Under Phase One, members of the committee will focus on the future of the Carpenter Center. Included in its analysis, the committee will review the outstanding request from the Virginia Arts Foundation for reimbursement of $4.4 million in expenses (along with its supporting documentation) and will determine the feasibility of any payment thereon. Nothing herein or hereafter to be considered by the committee is intended to preclude the Foundation from complying with the building code of the City as may be applicable. Under Phase Two, committee members will consider how best to make use of the balance of the block bounded on Broad at 6th and 7th Streets for the performing arts. The committee will make an interim report by no later than May 1, 2006 with a final report by no later than Dec. 31, 2006.
Any agreement arrived at through the recommendations of this committee will take precedence over any and all other understandings between the City and The Foundation.
In the interim, the foundation has agreed to landscape the block, consistent with construction needs, which will be held for public use.
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Tue 8 Nov 2005
“It was a routine inspection” according to city spokesman Bill Farrar in this Times-Dispatch article. After Mayor Wilder’s representative Paul Goldman met on friday with Arts organizations explaining his proposal to re-open the CCPA by Fall of 2006, the routine inspection of the Carpenter Center shows that the mayor is already acting on his plan.
Fri 21 Oct 2005
According to the Times-Dispatch the VAPAF has hired attorney Everette G. “Buddy” Allen Jr. to assist them in resolving their dispute with Mayor Wilder.
From the article:
Foundation President Brad Armstrong said any legal costs incurred would be paid from money donated specifically for that purpose. “Not a penny of donor money toward our project would be used.”
Wed 12 Oct 2005
The VAPAF has announced a reorganization and refocus of their plans.
Specifics include:
More information can be found at:
Wed 12 Oct 2005
The VAPAF has appearantly failed in it’s most recent attempt to secure the Thalheimer’s block as the site for the VAPAC. Yesterday they attempted to purchase the land from the city of Richmond for $2M. This was rejected at Mayor Wilder’s direction based on his position that the VAPAF is not in compliance with the 2004 agreement which included this option.
The Times-Dispatch has a story and a great cartoon which sums up the situation nicely.
NBC12 is reporting that the VAPAF will hold a press conference wednesday morning, Oct. 12th.
Tue 4 Oct 2005
WCVE is hosting a special live Virginia Currents broadcast discussing the Virginia Performing Arts Center thursday night Oct. 6, at 8pm.
Sat 24 Sep 2005
The Richmond Times-Dispatch will inaugurate their “Public Square” series of public discussions Wednesday, September 28 7 – 8:30 p.m at 300 East Franklin. The topic will be the Virginia Performing Arts Center.