Richmond has earned a national reputation for its arts scene. Virginia Commonwealth University boasts acclaimed arts offerings. Its sculpture department leads the academic field. During a conversation at a saloon in Washington's Union Station, the bartender, upon learning about the hometown of the editor of the Editorial Pages, praised the arts in Richmond. He described Richmond as superior to Washington and said he often visited its galleries and hot spots. Many others have noticed. The Travel section in The New York Times recently described in gushing terms Richmond's revival as the Harlem of the South. The piece gave lip-smacking reviews of eateries in Jackson Ward.
The proposed Historic Broad Street Arts District would make official what already exists. The neighborhood would stretch from Belvidere on the west to Seventh Street (and CenterStage) on the east, and would follow Grace, Broad and Marshall Streets and would shoot over to Leigh to gather in the Hippodrome. The designation would offer various incentives for development that would promote the district's character. We like it.
The lines also have dismayed the Black History Museum and Cultural Center, whose home on Clay Street falls outside the zone. The museum expresses valid concerns. It not only contributes to the neighborhood's ambience but also records the district's place in Richmond's past. The Black History Museum remains a treasure.
Historic districts raise a broader point. If incentives regarding reduced fees and waived requirements are worthwhile for specified blocks, then they also would seem appropriate for application throughout the city. Historic designation implicitly concedes that certain policies might deter entrepreneurs from taking risks. This may occur citywide. Be that as it may, we happily endorse the arts proposal.
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