WNHAC: Capitol Music Hall Not High Priority
By CASEY JUNKINS Staff WriterWHEELING - In May, the Wheeling National Heritage Area Corp. hired a Washington, D.C. company to study market viability of the Capitol Music Hall that was closed by owner Live Nation in May 2007.
But more than four months later, WNHAC Executive Director Hydie Friend has yet to reveal any results of the study performed by Economics Research Associates that she said would take about six weeks to complete.
"I have not heard anything back from the company ... I have not received any kind of feedback from them about it," she said last week.
Friend previously said that a group of "interested parties" including WNHAC, the Regional Economic Development Partnership, the Wheeling Convention and Visitors Bureau and the city of Wheeling have been working to see how they can reopen the 1928 theater that Live Nation closed after city firefighters discovered 23 fire code violations at the facility.
This summer, Friend seemed to believe the Capitol needed to be reopened as quickly as possible when making the following statements: "Any downtown revitalization plan must include a plan for getting the Capitol Music Hall going again. ... The key is that I think we need to have the Capitol open to attract tourism to downtown Wheeling ..." and "... Right now, I believe the Capitol is extremely vital to the future of downtown Wheeling, but if the study shows us something else, I will change my mind."
Now, Friend says WNHAC is not rushing into anything with the Capitol.
"It (the Capitol) is not high on my priority list," she said.
Also in May, City Manager Robert Herron confirmed that he had been negotiating with Carl Nix of Harvey Goodman Realtor to purchase the $850,000 venue on behalf of the four parties.
Herron declined to comment on the status of the Capitol last week.
Seeming to be committed to the future of the Capitol, Wheeling City Council and the West Virginia Development Office have designated $2.5 million in Tax Increment Financing to repair and renovate the Capitol, in the event the theater is purchased by a non-profit group. As part of the city's $8 million TIF application, plans for the Capitol call for using $2.1 million to address life safety codes and $400,000 to install a new roof.
The Wheeling 2020 Plan the city released in the spring lists renovating and reopening the Capitol as the city's premier priority for revitalizing downtown.
But Councilwoman Gloria Delbrugge said she and other council members "have not discussed the Capitol much lately."
"To my knowledge, none of us has been in any kind of negotiations concerning the Capitol lately," she said, noting there may be some private interest in the 2,480 seat venue.
Nix confirmed that he has one out- of-town person - in addition to the city of Wheeling - interested in buying the Capitol.
"The city has always been interested in it, but I have not heard from them for a while now. I will show it to anyone who asks to see it," he said.
Though she said the Capitol is no longer a high priority, Friend said she plans to use the yet-to-be-released study as a guide for anyone who would make an option on the property.
"If you got an option to buy the Capitol, you could rely on the results of the study to direct you on what you need to do to make it work before finalizing the purchase," she said.
In August 2007, Dr. Manny Velez announced that he - along with Theresa and Jim Childers of Bellaire - had signed an agreement with Live Nation to purchase the Capitol, and wanted to have it up and running again by October.
However, the contract Velez and the Childers signed on July 31 expired on Sept. 19, placing the venue back on the market where it has remained ever since.
Delbrugge does not know if the city will look to buy the Capitol, but she clearly wants someone to purchase and reopen the theater.
"We cannot wait forever because something needs to happen with it. We would be crazy if we do not do something to make sure someone buys it," she said.
Friend maintains that every day the Capitol remains closed, the venue deteriorates a little bit more. But Nix said the venue is structurally sound.
"Live Nation still has offices in the building, so there is still some activity going on in there. The building itself is solid because it was originally designed to be several stories taller than it is. But just after it opened, The Great Depression hit, and the owners ran out of money," he said.
Nix would like to see the city redevelop the areas around the Capitol because he believes it will make the venue more attractive. Currently, the former Bill's Hamburger building adjacent to the Capitol is receiving a facelift from owner C.J. Kaiser.
Also, City Council recently voted to issue $750,000 in TIF bonds to purchase the former G.C. Murphy building, former Rite Aid building and former River City Dance Works buildings in the 1100 block of Main and Market streets. Though council members have yet to reveal their plans for these three buildings, Delbrugge said she wants to see the buildings refurbished instead of demolished.
"It would be a shame if we tore down those buildings when they have so much history," she said.
Meanwhile, Nix said he is optimistic that someone will eventually step forward to purchase the Capitol.
"Before I die, it will be sold," he vows.
Friend also believes the interested parties are far from finished with the theater.
"Stay tuned," she said.
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SphinxRising58
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10-01-08 3:07 AM
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Save the Capitol, Save the Civic Center, Save this , that, & the other thing is all I hear out of Wheeling so we end up with a bunch of White Elephants the tax payer have to support, & exactly what do they get in return ?
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SphinxRising58
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10-01-08 3:04 AM
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wv26003:" The Capitol represents the cultural and artistic soul and heritage of the Upper Ohio Valley. " Horse malarkey, as it was nothing more than a common theater that you went to watch movies at, & after that enterprise closed, then it became a stage for C&W & a occasional show case for the Wheeling Symphony, & even that did not take place until Rachel pulled some strings with her husband who happened to be the governor at that time. I grew up in Wheeling so do not try and impress me with non-existent cultural history, as I did not fall off the wagon yesturday.
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wv26003
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09-30-08 9:32 AM
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EliasWyatt: Yes, I know the REAL moral values of the GOP are selfishness and greed. The current economic meltdown amplifies GOP selfishness and greed.
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EllisWyatt
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09-30-08 6:26 AM
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wv26003 Get off the crack pipe, man! What the*****are you talking about? I am putting money before country because I said that no rich person gets or stays rich by giving away their money to every person who "needs" or "wants" it? If Brad Paisley gave money to everyone who asked, he would have been broke years ago. Why don't you start and contribute to a Save The Capitol Fund? Why is it that the people who complain the most about lack of action are usually the people who give nothing and do nothing?
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wv26003
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09-29-08 9:56 PM
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EliasWyatt: At least you admit you put money before country.
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wv26003
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09-29-08 9:56 PM
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Sphinx: The Capitol represents the cultural and artistic soul and heritage of the Upper Ohio Valley.
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EllisWyatt
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09-29-08 6:21 PM
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Brad Paisely didn't earn his $5 or $10 million by being stupid. He is not dumb enough to buy the Capitol nor is he dumb enough to live in Wheeling. Rich people tend to get rich by being intelligent. And they stay rich by also being intelligent. Perhaps city government could make him a deal: you buy the Capitol for $850,000 and put $2.15 million into renovations and we will charge you ZERO taxes for 20 years and guarantee you a 10% annual return on your investment. THAT is the kind of deal the city would make, if only palms were getting greased.
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EllisWyatt
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09-29-08 6:18 PM
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wv26003 In 2007, Dupont lost a $381 million verdict, IN WEST VIRGINIA, which included $196.2 million in PUNITIVE damages. In 2008, Wheeling-Pitt won a $220 million verdict against Massey Energy, including $100 million in PUNITIVE damages. Chesapeake Energy/NiSource lost a $404 million verdict in Roane County, which included $270 million in PUNITIVE damages. The courts in West Virginia have found, and the US Supreme Court has upheld, rulings that permit punitive damaged that are 200% of economic damages. That is, if you can prove that you suffered $5 million in economic losses, you can get $10 million in punitive damages and fall within West Virginia guidelines for "reasonable" punitive awards. Good enough for you?
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SphinxRising58
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09-29-08 10:16 AM
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wv26003: Well it would be nice to see the Capitol going again, it is hardly " The soul of Wheeling ", except maybe to you. Wheeling used to be something at one point & time, but that was in another era.
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JaymeJones
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09-29-08 7:44 AM
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I am very, very surprised Brad Paisley hasn't bought this already. If I were a billionaire country music star, and the place where my career started was in danger, I'd buy it in a heartbeat, even if it wouldn't make any money. Which, of course, it would make money if they started having shows there again. It made money for years; why not now?
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wv26003
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09-29-08 6:41 AM
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EliasWyatt: Do I need to ONCE AGAIN prove that you're clueless about Wheeling and West Virginia? PUNITIVE DAMAGES WERE CAPPED AT $1 MILLION IN 1986 IN WEST VIRGINIA! I guess it's just easier for you to spout chamber of commerce talking points than it is for you to actually LEARN something about Wheeling or West Virginia.
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wv26003
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09-29-08 6:39 AM
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atoddh: I think you would be correct if leaders refuse to think outside of the box. The Capitol can be scaled down to 1400 or 1500 seats; multiple sized, multiple usage performance spaces can be built. I suppose we'll just have to get a Capitol levy on the ballot next Spring.
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Sayitaintso
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09-29-08 12:40 AM
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Talk about "Lipstick on a Pig," Wheelin' is definitely the "Pig". I was in Wheelin in "84" and it was a "Pig " then.
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kaiserhund
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09-29-08 12:21 AM
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NOTHING SEEMS TO BE HIGH ON THE PRIORITY LIST IN WHEELING. THAT'S WHY IT IS, AND WILL REMAIN AN OLD NASTY RUN DOWN CITY.
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atoddh
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09-28-08 7:12 PM
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Note that Ms. Friend says in one comment the Capital study is not finished. Then later comments the results and information in the study are avaiable to anyone that may take an option on the building.This suggests the information is indeed available but secret. The 70,000 plan to rebuild Downtown was based on the Capital as the centerpiece.But the Capital is no "longer a priority." That apparently means there is no longer a viable Downtown plan. To be fair, nothing will work unless and until the fundemental decline in manufacturing jobs is addressed.The decline will march on facilitated by the same unelected people that caused it. The County Commission could make a difference -in manufacturing - if they choose to do so. Shopping Centers are not the value-added answer to the local economy but are a positive step.
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atoddh
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09-28-08 6:59 PM
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Ellis: There is a wonderful opportunity for some defense contracting in the Ohio Valley now which is so profitable it allows for Union benefits. Yet the local parties in control-"the interested parties"- are indifferent.They do not understand that it is the skilled labor payrolls that underpin the Onio Valley economy.
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PHANTOM
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09-28-08 6:16 PM
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I am constantly hearing about these interested parties as being far from finished with the theater. Why don't these people come out into the open. Everything is so secretive. They certainly do not want any of us to become involved. If they wait long enough, they will get a big surprise when someone else spearheads a committee, forms a non-profit, where outsiders are welcome. Where do we sign up? I will volunteer to start taking names.
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EllisWyatt
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09-28-08 5:21 PM
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Manufacturing jobs will not move to the Wheeling area. That is a fact. If the so-called "leaders" even acknowledge this, the next step is correcting the problem. After Orrick, all we heard about was Wheeling becoming the back office capital of the world. News flash-back offices are moving to India. Now, with a weak (but climbing) dollar and the costs and distances involved in a supply chain, domestic manufacturing has some advantages over imports. What can WV do? 1. Change the legal climate. Prohibit venue shopping and limit punitive damages in economic cases to $1 million. 2. Use some of the pork money to invest in infastructure such as water & sewer and internet capacity, instead of failed monuments to KKK Byrd. 3. Do away with B&O taxes. 4. Reduce or eliminate taxes on capital stock and corporate income. 5. Petition the government to allow for immediate depreciation of capital expenditures. 6. Allow for school choice and crack down on crime.
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atoddh
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09-28-08 4:55 PM
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wv 26003 YOU NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE CAPITAL WAS SUSTAINED FOR DECADES BY THE FOR-PROFIT jAMBOREE uSA INCOME. pROPOSALS TO MAINTAIN AND REVIVE THE WEEKLY SHOWS, MADE IN THE MID 1990'S, WERE TURNED DOWN BY THE "INTERESTED PARTIES." nOW IT IS TOO LATE WITHOUT A HUGE PRIVATE INVESTMENT TO REPROMOTE THE SHOW. tHE VENUE CAN ONLY SURVIVE AS A TOURIST OPERATION AS THE LOCAL POPULATION IS IN SUCH HUGE DECLINE.tHIS DECLINE(50% SINCE THE 1960'S) HAS OCCURED LARGELY BECAUSE OF THE INFLUENCE OF MANY OF THOSE AMONG THE "INTERESTED PARTIES." iT IS OBVIOUS THE "STUDY" IS COMPLETE ON THE cAPITAL AND IT IS NOT FEASIBLE FOR THE ARROGANT "INTERESTED PARTIES" TO DO.sO IT IS NOT A PRIORITY.
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wv26003
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09-28-08 4:32 PM
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Virtually every successful historic theatre in the United States is run by a non-profit organization. All one needs to do is look at the towns of Hershey and Lancaster PA to see the astounding effects renovating their historic theatre has on their business districts. But, I guess as long as the naysayers are going to gripe, let's just nuke downtown Wheeling.
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Murray
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09-28-08 4:16 PM
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If that's not high on WNHAC's priorities, what is. THAT should have been the reporter's next question.
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atoddh
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09-28-08 3:09 PM
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The current TIF program specifically prohibits private envolvement so as to give control to the non-profit interested parties.Now the"parties"can not deliver.70,000 was spent on the Downtown "plan" plus a secret ammount on a Capital study-perhaps another 30,000. So there goes another $100,000+ in studies and plans with no tangible results. Tens of millions have been squandered on Downtown with negative results and no new job development.Orrick is an exception as it is a private concern that wanted to locate in Wheeling before the renovation.
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atoddh
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09-28-08 2:53 PM
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The comparable Stanley Theater in Pittsburgh-now the Bennedum-cost 42 million to renovate.Being in a major city, they have events most evenings.Many Ohio Valley citizens attend.This is an example project. Private proposals for operating the Capital have been previously turned away.The non-profit"interested parties" want to control,but now can not deliver. Remember that Wheeling and the Ohio Valley are in extreme decline.Even the gaming operators such as MNTG are failing.Little to no attention has been given to the root problem which is the decline in manufacturing jobs. Nothing will come back until the this root problem is addressed."The Highlands",Oglebay and the Casino etc. are not the answers. Large manufacturing payrolls are.
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EllisWyatt
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09-28-08 1:32 PM
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I have no problem with saving the Capitol. But why are taxpayers always forced to subsidize money losers? Tax dollars should only be used for public services. They should not be used for "investment" if said investment was not able to attract private capital. Government officials have no business taking tax dollars for losing projects such as the Capitol. Why not negotiate a long-term lease with Live Nation? Why not encourage Live Nation to sell the building, cheap, to another private investor? I'm sure they want to get rid of the tax and maintenance burden. Sell it for a dollar and a percentage of the gross revenues. Have the city collect ZERO B&O, sales, or amusement taxes from the venue for 5 years. Think outside the box. Don't put taxpayers in it.
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goodlife
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09-28-08 12:00 PM
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Wheeling Park High School will have a new, better arena for the music and arts. That will be the final nail in the Capital. The Capital does not work as a private venture. Tear it down and let's move on.
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