Hi Yupette,
Latest on the Artisphere is the County Board Majority (Fisette, Hynes, and Tejada) are working on a bailout much like they recently bailed out the wealthy elite who run the Signature Theater.
Under the deal that's being considered, the County would pay many of the Artisphere's operating expenses, like utilities, and give the Artisphere's Board of Directors a long-term loan at 1% interest. The County would also pay a theatrical management firm to run the Artisphere. Losses from the Artisphere's operations, like live theater flops, would be camouflaged as "community benefits", paid for by the County and hidden in the budget.
Hynes and Tejada are increasingly outta here and Jay Fisette never met a performing arts group he didn't want to build a live theater for. I was afraid the Signature bailout wouldn't be the last taxpayer bailout for the performing arts groups. It won't.
2100
28 comments:
Another Gimme Group with its hands out looking for a handout.
The Signature bailout was so outrageous a taxpayer rip off that I'm not surprised the other struggling performing arts groups want the same kind of deal.
Not surprising to me. County needs space for various exhibitions and events. Philanthropy is nil. Taxpayers will pay, as usual.
Hynes and Tejada will spend the next 10 months rubber-stamping every deal placed in front of them.
Artisphere is an energy pig. Taxpayers will pay at least $250,000 per year for utilities.
Agree. Hynes and Tejada will spend the next 10 months giving special interests whatever they want.
An independent internal auditor reporting to the county board isn't a luxury, he or she is a necessity.
Indications are the C.B. majority is open to selling naming rights to the Artisphere, but the performing arts elite are misers who are constantly on the lookout for handouts.
No wonder the County Board raised the residential tax rate by 1.5 cents.
Artisphere is managed by Arlington Economic Development. Primary mission of this County bureaucracy is finding enough people wanting to start up new bars and restaurants in "vibrant" mixed-use redevelopment to replace the bars and restaurants that go out of business.
I was also afraid of that. Signature bailout was so extravagant that the 4-5 other struggling arts organizations were going to demand similar deals from County government.
How much more will the Rosslyn BID be extracting from businesses and taxpayers to support the Artisphere?
Is there a Special Interest the County Board can say NO to?
Yes. Arlington's Homeowners asking for tax relief.
What ever happened to the $26 million that the County Board appropriated for Pike and Crystal City streetcar planning?
Ask Barbara and Michelle.
I won't vote for any Democrat running for local office. Their so-called 'service' to us in public office has been all about enriching themselves, their families, and their friends.
Yes, I would also like to know what happened to the $26 million appropriated for streetcar system planning.
The $26 million is being spent designing a Crystal City streetcar system.
The County Board DOES listen.....to special interests.
Cost will be at least $2 million per year.
Philanthropy is nil. REITs are looking for corporate welfare handouts. Rosslyn BID and taxpayers will fund this. What else is new in Arlington?
I won't vote for one of the Young Plutocrats who are running to replace the Old Plutocrats. Who cares about me? No one. My taxes constantly go up despite all their Smart Growth promises.
True. The REITs are making a fortune urbanizing Arlington and single family homeowners are going broke paying for it.
Apparently wasting money on new street signs wasn't enough. (See the March/April Gazette: http://arlingtonva.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/mar2015_lowres.pdf, page 3.)
"Although the requirement is only
for new and replacement signs, the
County is implementing the new style throughout Arlington because they improve visibility, navigation and safety."
So it's not required, but they're replacing all existing signs anyway. Whaaa?
Did you hear James Lander at the CivFed meeting? APS will cut $4 million from its FY 16 budget so appears we will be stuck with the 1.5 cent tax rate increase on top of the real estate assessment increase.
Arlington Economic Development stated at the CivFed meeting that the corporations who locate in Arlington need more 'incentives' aka corporate welfare and Arlington's neighborhoods that are being bulldozed to completely urbanize the county have to go along with the program.
I nominate James Lander for the President Barack Obama Jive Turkey of the Year Award.
Second the Motion.
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