Hpewell News

The Board of Directors of Hopewell Preservation, Inc. (HPI), and a non-profit charitable corporation, that brought the 1920s-era Beacon Theatre back to life, and Beacon Theatre, L.P., a corporate entity established for the sole purpose of utilizing historic tax credits for the restoration project announced Tuesday evening that it was pleased to cooperate with the city of Hopewell’s effort to protect its interest in the theater’s future. “The City has asked us to acknowledge its rightful lien to the property,” said Randy L. Dean, past chair of HPI Board. “Had Beacon officials known 11 years ago that the City of Hopewell had not filed the lien, I am sure we would have been as cooperative then as we have attempted to be now.”
The city of Hopewell, which has partnered with Hopewell Preservation for the redevelopment of the Beacon Theatre, contributed $1.3 million in a 1998 funding agreement. Last week, the city requested acknowledgment of the long-neglected lien, which protects the taxpayers’ investment and the Beacon’s future as a cultural icon for Hopewell.
Not agreeing to wait for HPI’s Board to meet to review the request, the city of Hopewell filed for its lien in the Hopewell Circuit Court last Thursday.
“I guess we don’t get around quite as fast as we used to,” said Alan Flannagan, HPI board member.
We had hoped to meet with city leaders to discuss the lien sent to by the new city attorney. City leaders were unwilling to meet with HPI’s Board last week and instead initiated litigation. The board was unable to meet on demand due to vacation schedules to authorize immediate endorsement of the lien. An e-mail was sent on the 23rd and a letter was hand delivered on the 24th requesting a meeting with Mayor Brenda Pelham, Vice-Mayor N. Greg Cuffey and City Attorney Thomas E. “Tom” Lachney.
Lachney declined the meeting and indicated in an e-mail “I am sorry to hear this I am afraid we are about to open a can of worms we would prefer not to open. There is no need to send the letter requesting additional information. I will be filing suit by the close of business today.”
“It’s a true community partnership,” said Bruce Lanning, Vice Chair of the Board. “Under our longstanding agreement, the Hopewell City Council has the authority to nominate one of its members to the HPI Board, and to participate in planning for the Beacon. The last official to serve on the Board from The City of Hopewell was former City Manager Peter Bine in 2004. We welcome Council to see what we’re doing from week to week.”
In an attempt to foster closer relationships with the city, the Board resolved to invite the City Council to appoint Pelham, Cuffey or Ward 1 Councilor Christina J. Luman-Bailey to join its membership as it moves forward to Phase III, the final phase of construction.
“A conversation is free; I can’t imagine why the city of Hopewell would want to spend money litigating an issue that is 11 years old. We aren’t going anywhere” said Lanning.
Phase III will review the initial plans; complete the renovation of the interior of the theater, returning the stage, seating, and lobby to their former grandeur. The Beacon has been a working theater in many ways for the past few years, hosting public and private events, live performances, cultural events and civic affairs.
The Beacon has played host to over 325 events since 2005, bringing approximately 45,000 guests to downtown Hopewell. The city of Hopewell and other regional businesses regularly use the Beacon for meetings, and it plays host to the James River Ball biannually. As a good corporate citizen, HPI’s Board has allowed various departments of the city to use the facility for their meetings for free.
Over the last five years approximately $30,000 in rental fees have been waived as a show of good faith and desire to maintain a good corporate partnership. “It has been a long journey; and it will go a little longer, but, we’re confident our Grand Old Lady will ultimately prevail in Phase III as she did in Phases I & II.” said Mrs. Flannagan.