Should the management of the East Greensboro Performing Arts Center be public or private? Proponents of a downtown performing arts center want to make the center 100% public and place it under the control of Matt Brown who has controlled that money pit, the Greensboro Coliseum Complex, for many years. I know it sounds crazy but by law: the Greensboro Coliseum Complex can never become profitable.
I am not, in any way shape or form, proposing that Matt Brown has any control over an East Greensboro Performing Arts Center. Nor do I wish the Greensboro Performing Arts Center become managed by the Greensboro Coliseum Complex no matter who is crowned coliseum manager in the future.
I'm thinking a better plan might be a public-private partnership as is the case with the Durham Performing Arts Center that has proved to be a better model.
According to the City of Durham, the DPAC earned $401,706 for the City of Durham in its first 8 months of operation.
According to Dr Joe Guarino:
"During the first two years and eight months of operation, Durham's 40 percent share was $2.64 million. The gross revenue the facility generated was $19 million during that time period. This is apparently in excess of what the Greensboro Coliseum generates."
The doctor continues:
"I have reviewed an audit of the DPAC LLC dated 12/5/11 covering the fiscal years ending in June, 2010 and June, 2011. It was performed by Zwick and Banyai, a Michigan auditing firm. The city of Durham's 40 percent share for 2010 was $1.2 million. The city's share for 2011 was $1.0 million.
It should be noted that these numbers do not seem to include parking revenues. That is a potentially big number, although it is unclear who gets revenues from parking at DPAC."
Of note: Dr Guarino is not in favor of any public funding for any Greensboro Performing Arts Center:
"I don't think the city should proceed with this project. But if the city ultimately proceeds, the choice is a clear one."
On that note, the doctor an I agree. If the City of Greensboro ultimately proceeds with plans to build a performing arts center then the project should be a public-private partnership along the lines of the Durham Performing Arts Center.
And I believe it should be located in East Greensboro.
If you would like to help establish an East Greensboro Performing Arts Center, please contact me at GreensboroPerformingArtsCenter@gmail.com to talk about ways you can help.
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