Picture of the day: The Hippodrome

Notice: Comments that are not conducive to an interesting and thoughtful conversation may be removed at the editor’s discretion.

1. Anon E. Mouse on February 08, 2013 10:16 AM said:

   Wait for it, wait for it. Here it comes …
2. Scott Burger on February 08, 2013 10:36 AM said:

   And here it is- What are the returns for the public investments in Hippodrone and Center Stage?

   Should the City be subsidizing private entities when there are serious questions about the budget constraints of our police department, fire department, public schools, and public parks?

   http://www.examiner.com/article/hippodrome-deal-merits-further-council-scrutiny-as-city-finances-become-constrained

   “Activists, such as knowledgeable Council observer Silver Persinger, have questioned the use of City funds for a speculative dining/entertainment venture in light of the present financial constraints. Others have raised equity concerns as certain projects including CenterStage have received public subsidy and assistance, while successful venues, among them The National, did not”

   Will U of R kids here these questions today, or is that not part of their ‘civic engagement’?

   http://www.gjwn.net/news/2013/02/05/whats-in-your-brown-bag/
3. Anon E. Mouse on February 08, 2013 10:44 AM said:

   Score!!!
4. DW on February 08, 2013 1:43 PM said:

   I love this game!!!
5. Jeff E. on February 08, 2013 7:04 PM said:

   The more time passes, the less the funding of these projects seems a white elephant. Would the private investment that has been happening on Grace Street have occurred without Center Stage and would Center Stage have happened without public funds? Investments like this are banking on the future, not immediate returns. Future revenue in the form of ticket sales, food and beverage sales, and property investment are the returns, money that can be spent on schools and infrastructure. Plus, money alone will never be the answer to the woes of RPS and I think everyone knows that.
6. Scott Burger on February 08, 2013 11:31 PM said:

   First of all, there are real questions about exactly how much PUBLIC money has gone into these PRIVATE projects already. The City Council agreement with Center Stage is an affront to open government and makes it difficult to determine the ROI (return on investment).

   http://saverichmond.com/?p=428

   Secondly, it comes down to choices and opportunity costs. Public money spent on private projects often means public money cannot be spent on PUBLIC priorities at the time they are needed. Because the City is STILL shelling out money out to Center Stage does that mean local high school football teams continue to play with outdated helmets? Does it mean Richmond continues to lose good police recruits and teachers to the surrounding counties? Does it mean the City continues to force an outrageous minimum water rate on its own citizens? Does it mean less money that can be spent NOW on needed bicycle and transportation amenities?

   But actually I would argue perhaps the greatest cost of this corporate welfare is it’s corrupting influence on our local culture. Connected real estate folks think they can continue to get the City pay for their projects, while small club, theater, and restaurant operators are forced to figure out ways to compete with these bigger projects AND the City itself . The ridiculous City meals tax goes up (directly attributable to Center Stage), and now the county governments are now implementing their own versions. All sorts of distortions are being created. It’s no accident that the out of touch Firehouse Theater board cites Center Stage as a reason to side against their more grassroots oriented workers and supporters. Before that it was First Friday and the whole arts district debate. Is it any wonder the Redskins figured they could get the City to do whatever they wanted? Is it any wonder that the Shockoe Bottom stadium proposal is being revived despite public opposition?

   What happens when the financials of these corporate welfare projects become even more evident and pressing? Over a billion dollars has been spent on downtown projects. I don’t disagree with all of the spending, but where does that leave other parts of the City. It is amazing though not surprising how the Times Disgrace, a supposedly conservative and ‘free market’- supporting newspaper, continues to cheerlead this crap. But then its also amazing how many ‘liberal’ people and even professional musicians and artists turn a blind eye to the hypocrisy involved. If you think this debate is over, you have another thing coming.
7. Will Weaver on February 09, 2013 1:06 AM said:

   Good lord, can’t people just appreciate a photo when they see it? :P
8. Scott Burger on February 09, 2013 8:01 AM said:

   It’s a nice photo that captures the Hippodrone’s art deco lineage.

   (I do enjoy the fact that the old theater building has FINALLY been renovated, and I guess I have to, since it was done with our tax money.)
9. Anon E. Mouse on February 09, 2013 10:12 AM said:

   The lesson here? There’s no subject can’t be hijacked. What we have here? A nice picture of an old renovated theater in Jackson Ward. What do we get? A lecture on all of Scott’s favorite subjects, Centerstage, water rates, Shockoe Bottom, corporate welfare, the Redskins, the meals tax. Did I miss anything?

   So the answer here is no, some people can’t.

   Next up, Dominion Power, Venture Richmond and Trani.
10. Mike Jasp on February 09, 2013 2:51 PM said:

    Great picture. ive never been to the hippodrone but now i want to check it ou. Thank you anon you’re not alone as far as getting sick of scott burgers favorite topics he likes to cry about. The guy is a cry baby and spends all his energy crying about things rather than living a productive fulfilling life. Its a shame that no RVAnews post is safe from scott some how putting a damper on it. He need to move to a tiny little town somewhere ….where all the normal things that take place in a larger economy like richmond arent present to bother him so much. A tiny little town where there are no big corporations, universities, development or progress.
11. Chris on February 09, 2013 3:16 PM said:

    I’m thinking comments should be disabled on the Picture of the Day posts. It’s just a picture…look at it and move on.
12. Scott Burger on February 10, 2013 8:09 AM said:

    Sticks and stones, Mike Jasp. My only promise is that I will not always respond to the baiting.

    Chris, now that is a typical Richmond response- Don’t like debate or open discussion, so shut it down.

    Hey, a picture = a thousand words, right?