No doubt you’ve heard or read that the Greensboro City Council approved a plan to fill the $9.6 millionn budget gap for the Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts. The vote was 7-2–with council members Tony Wilkins and Marikay Abuzuaiter voting ‘no.’
Wilkins asked questions about ticket prices given the (now) $4 fee, and Abuzuaiter questioned proposed funding for arts groups, since their buck share of the ticket tax was now being “repurposed” to fill the budget gap.
Bottom line is Coliseum Director Matt Brown–who’s overseeing the project— was able to convince the council that the projected 150 dates—a “conservative number” given the state of the art center’s potential draw—will fill the budget gap given the VIP parking and all. That Brown’s word is gospel with the City Council makes that task all the easier.
What was surprising was the lack of public turnout, given the skepticism I’ve read on social media—no public speakers. I guess everyone’s excited about the new downtown performing arts center or they’re just not paying attention—no snark intended.
