PITTSBURGH --
Allegheny County Councilman Bill Robinson plans to introduce legislation that would provide county funding to help rescue the financially troubled August Wilson Center for African American Culture. "The August Wilson Center is a primary example of something that should be at, or near the top, of a black agenda, such as I have described in the past," said Robinson, D-Hill District.
"Allegheny County can be instrumental in preserving this cultural asset, and in attempting to obtain the assistance of the commonwealth in doing so." He could not be reached for further comment. Amie Downs, a spokeswoman for county Executive Rich Fitzgerald, said the county helps to fund the center. "We've supported the August Wilson Center through RAD (the Regional Asset District)," Downs said. RAD supports parks, libraries, stadiums and cultural groups, with half of the proceeds of an additional 1 percent county sales tax.
Last month, the RAD board tentatively denied the center's request for $425,000 in 2014. The decision came the same day that an audit reduced the value of the center's assets from $40.6 million in 2011 to $20.5 million in 2012. The audit also questioned whether the center, which has received nearly $13 million in public subsidies, will be able to continue operating. Many of its financial woes have been blamed on a failure to raise enough money to cover the $40 million cost of its building Downtown.
The center faces possible foreclosure because it is $7.06 million in default on its mortgage. It also ended the 2012-13 fiscal year with a $1.8 million deficit. The RAD board promised that if the center addresses its problems, the board would provide $300,000 for 2014, the same amount as this year. Center officials could not be reached for comment. Robinson said he will introduce a motion at council's Oct. 22 meeting to include funding for the center in the 2014 capital budget.
A second measure would ask the state to help fund the center. Councilman James Ellenbogen, D-Banksville, said that although he understands the importance of the center, his first responsibility is to the taxpayers. "I wouldn't consider providing tax dollars until I was convinced that the money would help the center survive," he said. Councilman John Palmiere, D-Baldwin Township, called the center a "vital asset" but said he could not consider a request for funding until the council has had a chance to review Fitzgerald's budget. Jay Pagni, press secretary for Gov. Tom Corbett, said a request for state support would be referred to the appropriate agency.
By Tony LaRussa