Local news outlets are reporting on the federal complaint that the non-profit NH District Corp., which is pushing the Dominion and VCU-supported scheme to replace the coliseum, is not operating as a charity and is violating I.R.S. rules.
The Virginia Public Media article is particularly eye-opening, but for those who have been following this scam, none of this is surprising given how these grifters have been conducting themselves. When it comes to these scummy tricks, there’s definitely similarities between this latest corporate welfare push and the Center Stage boondoggle from a decade or so ago.
In a different era, Dominion C.E.O. Farrell and VCU President Rao would be tarred and feathered with the rest of them and run out of town.
Thankfully, officials like RIchmond School Board member Kenya Gibson are taking steps to try to protect the public. Last night citizens spoke to the school board in support of Kenya Gibson’s resolution to seek approval to opt school funding out of the proposed, “Navy Hill” coliseum TIF redevelopment fund. The REA and an incredible group of teachers also came out in support of the resolution, staying on site until nearly midnight to see the vote go through. It passed 7 to 2.
But it is noteworthy that once again, Richmond citizens have to rely mostly on outside federal oversight to come in and look at alleged corruption in their city. So much of our local media is cowed- they might deign to report on some aspects when its convenient, but don’t dare cross their corporate masters overall.
The lack of transparency is very troubling. For Oregon Hill residents, who have already lost so much, including any control or accountability for Monroe Park, we find ourselves staring down the hill and just trying to keep up with the latest.
Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association President Todd Woodson observes:
Here we go again. A conceptual plan to improve Brown’s Island will be heard December 5th by the Urban Design Committee. Prepared by the “infamous” 3north and Timmons Group, the applicant is listed as Mark Olinger but then specifies Venture Richmond as the real applicant. They held a charrette in April which usually includes the public, but this one was secretly limited to Venture Richmond, New Market (Ethyl), John Bates of Monroe Park Conservancy, and a select group of others. The listed price tag you ask? $16,759,500.00! At over 10 MB, the file was too big to list here but can be found on the City website on the itinerary for the December 9th UDC meeting at:
https://richmondva.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=4243890&GUID=9D7A78AC-9376-48C2-9473-EAA4CA84B14E&Options
Shhhh. we don’t want to spoil their little secret…
It’s time to end the corporate corruption and take back public control of the government!
