Hippodrome getting $600,000 boost
The Times-Dispatch reports that Mayor Dwight Jones has proposed a plan to hand over $600,000 to the property owner of the Hippodrome, the historic theater located on North Second Street that once hosted prominent African American performers including James Brown, Ella Fitzgerald, and Ray Charles.
These funds (in addition to the $12 million already slated for the restoration) will be used to renovated the Hippodrome and the adjoining Taylor Mansion to create a new venue: The Hipp.
If all goes well, the renovated and renamed space should open in April 2011.
Read the full story here.
http://www.vagreenparty.org/richblog/?p=18
No one is against seeing this theater coming back, and no one is against downtown renovation, especially with private money. But the corporate welfare and opportunity costs involved should give all Richmond citizens pause. The Richmond Greens call for an end to downtown corporate welfare, and demand attention for Richmond’s schools and neighborhoods on behalf of its citizens.
This is great news for the community! It’s exciting to see the city supporting revitalization within the designs of the Downtown Master Plan. Within two years this block will be a vibrant destination area with new housing, restaurants, and a refurbished Hippodrome theater. Very exciting!
will not go to a place called “The Hipp”
just call it the freaking hippodrome
Stuart, even if your vision possibly proves true, other areas and theaters start losing their audience. Get a bigger perspective.
Scott, Richmond is growing, this isn’t a zero-sum game. Get a bigger perspective.
I strongly question your cheeleading, Stuart.
In the meantime, my perspective includes schools that continue to violate federal law while money is wasted on real estate schemes and too many theaters.