Brewed Fresh Daily

These are not good times for new urban projects. The economy's in low gear, tax revenues are down, and charitable donations are drying up. So it takes some gumption these days to ask a city to raise taxes for a new arts complex. A group in Richmond, Va., did so recently and amazingly got it passed. Background: The Virginia Performing Arts Foundation has drawn up an ambitious plan to create an arts district in downtown Richmond. Ultimately, it hopes to build or renovate several theaters, music halls and galleries along the Broad Street corridor and give tourists, convention goers and residents another reason to visit. The first phase (music hall, gallery, theater, offices and nightclub) will cost $79.8 million. Where can you get such money? The foundation has already raised $13.9 million, but that's still way short of the goal. That's why it went to the Richmond city council with a request: Raise the city's meals tax by 1 percent, to 6 percent, and give us the proceeds. There was the usual grumbling by citizens about taxes and protests from some restaurateurs (although others supported the increase). In the end, the council approved the tax increase on a 7-1 vote. "We are standing on the precipice of a great opportunity," the mayor said, before the vote was taken. A council member agreed, adding, "This is a critical piece of the puzzle to revitalizing downtown." The tax increase is expected to bring in nearly $28 million. Where will the rest come from? The foundation may be back soon to ask for an increase in the hotel tax, not only in Richmond but in the surrounding counties.