Last week, I had a post here that discussed the leasing arrangement that might exist for the International Civil Rights Museum in downtown Greensboro. The organization has a management committee and board, both of which are led by Skip Alston.
I decided to inquire with the city of Greensboro on this matter. My rationale? The city had funded the museum. I asked the city specifically what was the amount of the lease that the museum organization has paid to the owners of the property. I also asked the city to identify the owners of the property. I had all kinds of idealistic notions about openness and transparency. Remember, after all, that Greensboro is the Politically Virtuous City. And we have been led to believe that our city government is comprised of a high-performing, effective bureaucracy. Two days after submitting my request, I received a response. It was as follows:
Per Jan Blair
There was no other recent PCD funding in the museum other than the $750,000. PCD does not receive lease payments either.
When I received this response, I could not help but feel that my questions were not answered. "PCD", I believe, refers to the city's Department of Planning and Community Development; and I think "CDBG" refers to community development block grants .
The response established, at the very least, that the Civil Rights Museum had received $750,000 through the city. But my feeling was that the city should be able to provide and/or obtain details of the museum's operation since it had facilitated the funding of this non-profit organization. I guess I must have been naive.
In any event, dear readers, what is the next step to obtain this important information?
Addendum: The city provides additional information today.
In having further research done the following funding was approved:
Who does own the building?
Posted by: Elizabeth | January 31, 2011 at 07:31 PM
Elizabeth, I am still hoping that the city might be able to provide us with some guidance on that question. I had related in the previous post what my recollection is-- although I am not sure about that. I seem to remember that some kind of shell company or corporation for the building was set up, perhaps in part to enable the federal tax credits that made the museum possible. But ultimately, one or more live human beings must own the building, and the question is whether they have received lease monies, and in what amounts. I would be very pleased if someone could answer these questions with certainty.
Posted by: Joe Guarino | January 31, 2011 at 08:13 PM
And Elizabeth, there may be more to come tomorrow.
Posted by: Joe Guarino | January 31, 2011 at 08:46 PM