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| Norfolk arts czar or czarina |
The arts community is committed.
The young, hip, cool Virginian-Pilot reporters are committed.
Even some well-known philanthropists may be getting into the game.
(I’m not so committed, but my vote doesn’t count, really, and neither does my sarcasm.)
But, seriously, is the city of Norfolk really that committed to the arts and an arts district to support and sustain creative minds?
If city officials and city politicians are so fervently committed to “public” art and the “creative class” (an alluring marketing brand), they do should something about it.
In other words, the city should put its money where its mouth seems to be going.
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| Art decapitated |
Don’t expect property owners to become altruistic.
It’s not in their nature.
Instead, the city should step to the plate.
What the heck, a $1 million or so is chump change to this city.
The $126 million hotel and conference center is a good example of Norfolk’s charity. So is the Wells Fargo Center, the 150 West Main building (Do you see a trend here?)
The city of Norfolk owns more property than another entity except for the U.S. Navy. They even own more property than the state in this town.
Forget tax incentives.
They don’t work, according to a recent paper from the Lincoln Land Institute, a land policy organization.
While there is little evidence that these tax incentives are an effective instrument to promote economic development, they cost state and local governments $5 to $10 billion each year in forgone revenue, the paper said.
Three major obstacles can impede the success of property tax incentives as an economic development tool, the paper said.
First, incentives are unlikely to have a significant impact on a firm’s profitability since property taxes are a small part of the total costs for most businesses—averaging much less than 1 percent of total costs for the U.S. manufacturing sector.
Second, tax breaks are sometimes given to businesses that would have chosen the same location even without the incentives.
When this happens, property tax incentives merely deplete the tax base without promoting economic development.
Third, widespread use of incentives within a metropolitan area reduces their effectiveness, because when firms can obtain similar tax breaks in most jurisdictions, incentives are less likely to affect business location decisions.
So the alternative is to give the space to artists and businesses deemed creative.
For free. Gratis. At least for 12 months.
The city is offering four schools for lease or sale and several downtown properties for lease.
Downtown properties
1. Commercial Place Garage
520 East Main Street, suites 2 and 3
2,378 total square feet
Click here - to see this property in Norfolk Navigator
Click here - for complete demographic report
2. Main Street Garage
240 East Main Street
1,431 total square feet
Click here - to see this property in Norfolk Navigator
Click here - for complete demographic report
3. Town Point Garage
111 Granby Street
5,300 total square feet
Click here - to see this property in Norfolk Navigator
Click here - for complete demographic report
Schools
1. Former Meadowbrook School
1600 Trouville Avenue
Total property size: 4.6 acres
Click here - to see this property in Norfolk Navigator
Click here - for complete demographic report
Click here - for complete Norfolk Air Property Report
2. Former Stuart School
435 Virginia Avenue
Total property size: 2.97 acres
Click here - to see this property in Norfolk Navigator
Click here - for complete demographic report
Click here - for complete Norfolk Air Property Report
3. Former John T. West School
1425 Bolton Street
Total property size: 1.3 acres
Click here - to see this property in Norfolk Navigator
Click here - for complete demographic report
Click here - for complete Norfolk Air Property Report
4. Former Ballentine School
2415 Ballentine Boulevard
Total property size: 2.8 acres
Click here - to see this property in Norfolk Navigator
Click here - for complete demographic report
Click here - for complete Norfolk Air Property Report
Make it happen, Team Norfolk.
First, incentives are unlikely to have a significant impact on a firm’s profitability since property taxes are a small part of the total costs for most businesses—averaging much less than 1 percent of total costs for the U.S. manufacturing sector.
Second, tax breaks are sometimes given to businesses that would have chosen the same location even without the incentives.
When this happens, property tax incentives merely deplete the tax base without promoting economic development.
Third, widespread use of incentives within a metropolitan area reduces their effectiveness, because when firms can obtain similar tax breaks in most jurisdictions, incentives are less likely to affect business location decisions.
So the alternative is to give the space to artists and businesses deemed creative.
For free. Gratis. At least for 12 months.
The city is offering four schools for lease or sale and several downtown properties for lease.
Downtown properties
1. Commercial Place Garage
520 East Main Street, suites 2 and 3
2,378 total square feet
Click here - to see this property in Norfolk Navigator
Click here - for complete demographic report
2. Main Street Garage
240 East Main Street
1,431 total square feet
Click here - to see this property in Norfolk Navigator
Click here - for complete demographic report
3. Town Point Garage
111 Granby Street
5,300 total square feet
Click here - to see this property in Norfolk Navigator
Click here - for complete demographic report
Schools
1. Former Meadowbrook School
1600 Trouville Avenue
Total property size: 4.6 acres
Click here - to see this property in Norfolk Navigator
Click here - for complete demographic report
Click here - for complete Norfolk Air Property Report
2. Former Stuart School
435 Virginia Avenue
Total property size: 2.97 acres
Click here - to see this property in Norfolk Navigator
Click here - for complete demographic report
Click here - for complete Norfolk Air Property Report
3. Former John T. West School
1425 Bolton Street
Total property size: 1.3 acres
Click here - to see this property in Norfolk Navigator
Click here - for complete demographic report
Click here - for complete Norfolk Air Property Report
4. Former Ballentine School
2415 Ballentine Boulevard
Total property size: 2.8 acres
Click here - to see this property in Norfolk Navigator
Click here - for complete demographic report
Click here - for complete Norfolk Air Property Report
Wow, I agree with you. If the city has empty space sitting around, then they should make it available to those who are building up the community (artists included) for free or for cost.
ReplyDeleteDo you think the city would give space to The Newswanger? Or would they only give it to those upstarts who are seen as political allies?
ReplyDeleteIf the city has empty space sitting around, then they should sell it and use the money to pay for new schools.
ReplyDeleteI think the City of Norfolk is barely able to break even at the end of its fiscal years--actually, I think they're in debt. They're not putting thousands of dollars away into a savings account to use on a whim. I mean, the city just installed a light rail and will be paying that monumental amount off for a while. Other groups are lobbying for what money the city DOES make alongside the arts community. Projects such as fixing roads, water bills, sewer maintenance (the area by the Chrysler Museum REALLY needs attention), public transportation, paying the wages of city employees... Running a city is expensive. It is going to be difficult to convince a bunch of politicians who are content to stay buried in paperwork their whole lives that beauty and creativity should take priority over the bills. Norfolk is ripe for this movement and it absolutely should happen, but I get the feeling it is going to take much longer than most people would like.
ReplyDeleteTrue, but we are talking about empty space here, which isn't generating any revenue for the city anyway. If anything, it costs them money to maintain the empty properties. So the city should make a deal with artists - empty space will be provided at cost (reducing the city's expenses) and artists agree to pay all sales taxes on their work (increasing the city's revenue). Artists get affordable studio space and the city improves their bottom line. Everyone benefits. Maybe we can fill a few pot holes along the way too!
ReplyDeleteI would love to see the Stuart School turned into creative space! I have been looking for a tiny creative space of my own but it is difficult to find and you have to move fast or someone else grabs it. I would even put in the sweat equity to help with revitalizing the inside and outside space.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea and I hope it happens, for all of us.
Several cities have done similar things with great success. Paducah, Ky is an example
ReplyDeletehttp://www.paducahalliance.org/artist-relocation-program
There is a lot of creativity is the Hampton Roads area, it would be great if one of the towns, would do something like this, Norfolk seems to have a lot of potential.
Stuart school is an excellent idea. I've heard other folks talk about the potential that building has. Only problem is that it may take some funds to get it up to code.
ReplyDelete