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 PorkChopExpress
      
Location: Pled's Pig Farm, Virginia
Gender: Male
Stand Up Philosopher
 |  | Richmond council approves $600,000 for Jackson Ward revitalization
< on 1/26/2010 5:01 AM >
|  | | | The Richmond City Council agreed tonight to commit $600,000 in public funds to revitalize two landmarks in Jackson Ward.
The decision sets the stage for a developer to convert the Hippodrome Theater and adjoining Taylor Mansion into a live-music and entertainment venue that would open next year one block from the Greater Richmond Convention Center.
The project, known as The Hipp, also will include a restaurant, retail space and 31 apartments.
The Hippodrome and Taylor Mansion are on North Second Street, which was once the center of African-American nightlife and entertainment in segregated Richmond.
The new theater will be operated by the Bensusan Corp., which established the Blue Note Jazz Club in New York, and it will make Second Street an entertainment and tourist destination like Beale Street in Memphis, Tenn., said developer Ronald Stallings, of Hippodrome-Taylor Mansion LLC.
With the council's 6-1 vote, the city will contribute $281,000 in an economic-development grant, plus $319,000 from its share of federal HOME funds, which are used to create housing for low-income residents.
Councilman Bruce W. Tyler and two residents opposed the agreement, arguing that public funds should not be directed to the for-profit venture and that council was rewarding Stallings for keeping the Hippodrome in a blighted state for years.
But Councilman E. Martin Jewell said Jackson Ward deserves the help, given how part of the neighborhood was diced up to make way for the convention center and biotechnology research park.
"If any neighborhood deserves help from this city for resuscitating itself, it's Jackson Ward," he said.
The theater was built in 1904 and rebuilt after a fire in 1945. James Brown, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles and other black entertainers graced the stage during the venue's heyday.
The Taylor Mansion was designed by architect John Lankford and built in 1907 for the Rev. W.L. Taylor, a leader of the United Order of True Reformers. The home was credited at the time with being the largest home of a black American in the United States, and it later became an Elks lodge.
http://www2.timesd...125-201601/320031/
"Deep in the human psyche there lies the need to believe in something fantastic, something powerful, something unknown."
"Touch what you cannot solve, and return to me. I'll give you hints, and I'll give you three..." Zork Nemesis "I eat asbestos and piss PCBs." |
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KingCrouton
Gender: Male
| | Re: Richmond council approves $600,000 for Jackson Ward revitalization
<Reply # 1 on 1/27/2010 8:44 PM >
| | | | Its great that they are going to reutilize it, but as a venue? What are your thoughts on this PCE?
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PorkChopExpress
Location: Pled's Pig Farm, Virginia
Gender: Male
Stand Up Philosopher
| | Re: Richmond council approves $600,000 for Jackson Ward revitalization
<Reply # 2 on 1/28/2010 3:07 AM >
| | | | Posted by KingCrouton
Its great that they are going to reutilize it, but as a venue? What are your thoughts on this PCE?
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Honestly? I'm torn. It is fantastic that they are going to save the buildings. However, I have a few issues:
1) They will gut the inside of both buildings.
2) They are going to combine the buildings, thereby destroying their historical integrity.
3) The neighborhood is dangerous.
I'm all for saving historical buildings and neighborhoods, and I would love to see Jackson Ward revitalized, but I foresee failure in this venues future.
"Deep in the human psyche there lies the need to believe in something fantastic, something powerful, something unknown."
"Touch what you cannot solve, and return to me. I'll give you hints, and I'll give you three..." Zork Nemesis "I eat asbestos and piss PCBs." |
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xceler8x
Gender: Male
| |  | Re: Richmond council approves $600,000 for Jackson Ward revitalization
<Reply # 3 on 2/7/2010 5:17 PM >
| | | | Porkchop, I have to agree.
I think this is more of a case where someone is feeding their buddy the building contractor than actually trying to help out Jackson Ward. The area this building is in is not safe at night. When would most entertainment events happen? Also, this building will compete with The National and The Hat Factory for the entertainment dollar. The National is rapidly becoming a national venue and is drawing some great acts. This money is being ill spent.
I'd love to see the theater rebuilt as it was and used for community theater or other entertainment events that would not compete with other better established venues. Events such as school graduations, religious plays, etc.
I hear Heaven has a great climate but I prefer Hell for it's culture. |
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PorkChopExpress
Location: Pled's Pig Farm, Virginia
Gender: Male
Stand Up Philosopher
| | Re: Richmond council approves $600,000 for Jackson Ward revitalization
<Reply # 4 on 2/7/2010 8:40 PM >
| | | | Posted by xceler8x
Porkchop, I have to agree.
I think this is more of a case where someone is feeding their buddy the building contractor than actually trying to help out Jackson Ward. The area this building is in is not safe at night. When would most entertainment events happen? Also, this building will compete with The National and The Hat Factory for the entertainment dollar. The National is rapidly becoming a national venue and is drawing some great acts. This money is being ill spent.
I'd love to see the theater rebuilt as it was and used for community theater or other entertainment events that would not compete with other better established venues. Events such as school graduations, religious plays, etc.
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I couldn't agree more. They should use some of the money to clean up that section of Jackson Ward. New street lights, remove trash and graffiti, more police presence, etc. Then it would be more appropriate to open up the theater.
I don't understand their wanting to compete with The National and The Hat Factory. That's just foolish. I'm guessing that their argument will be that they are targeting a certain group of people. If that is the case they will definitely fail. In order to make money, this type of venue needs to cater to all.
I love your idea for using it as a small venue. It would also work well as a theater for vintage and cult classic movies.
"Deep in the human psyche there lies the need to believe in something fantastic, something powerful, something unknown."
"Touch what you cannot solve, and return to me. I'll give you hints, and I'll give you three..." Zork Nemesis "I eat asbestos and piss PCBs." |
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