INC NEWS - Editorial: Theater donation deal is a bad idea (Herald-Sun)

[John Schelp]

"Duke should untie all the strings from the deal, and
the City Council should assure the public that its
review of Central Campus will be rigorous and
unrelated to the theater."

Editorial: Theater donation deal is a bad idea
Herald-Sun, 31 October 2006

We arched an eyebrow when a deal was first proposed
under which Duke University would donate $2 million
toward a downtown performing arts center, with a
catch: Three-quarters of the money wouldn't be
forthcoming until after City Council signed off on
Duke's plans for Anderson Street. 

Now, after time has passed and the idea has been
further discussed, we believe it's even more clear
that this is a bad idea. As a matter of fact, it's
hard to understand why anyone ever thought it was a
good idea. 

The problem is, we're talking about two great
projects. We support the performing arts center as an
excellent addition for downtown and hope a fiscally
prudent path can be found to making it a reality. And
Duke's plan to build a totally new Central Campus
along both sides of Anderson Street is an exciting
prospect for Duke and the entire community. 

But connecting the two projects with this deal is like
building a bridge of twine and sticks between two
steel structures. It's just not appropriate, and it
could wind up hurting the solid projects it's trying
to connect. 

City Council votes on rezonings can shape the future,
as did the one on Southpoint Mall. So when Council
considers any rezoning or change in use -- such as
Central Campus and Anderson Street -- its
deliberations must be completely above board and based
on nothing but law and the good of the community.
Members cannot appear to be influenced by the prospect
of a pile of money for a pet project. That would leave
the impression City Council's vote was being
purchased. 

Sadly, if this deal remains on the table, that
impression would be unavoidable. 

To its credit, Duke has been one of the biggest
supporters of Downtown Durham redevelopment. The
university has already given $5.5 million to the
performing arts center -- the $2 million was to be on
top of that. Duke's contribution contains at least
some self-interest, since the new theater would, in
addition to hosting shows and concerts, provide
much-needed space for the annual American Dance
Festival. 

Now that these concepts have been linked, it will be
hard to disconnect them. But Duke and City Council
need to try. Duke should untie all the strings from
the deal, and the City Council should assure the
public that its review of Central Campus will be
rigorous and unrelated to the theater.