Bond Issue Would Aid Arts Centers

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to authorize a ballot measure for a proposed $250-million bond issue that would pay to upgrade several county science and cultural institutions with an unusual blend of public and private dollars.

The board unanimously approved a measure for the November ballot that would allow the issuance of general obligation bonds to fund earthquake and fire safety improvements at eight locations--but only if another $250 million is first raised through private donations.

At a time of county budget austerity, the infusion of $500 million would be a windfall for cultural and artistic venues that often have endured budget cutbacks.

Critics, however, argue that the county should not subsidize those institutions when it is asking voters to consider raising their taxes to pay for the local health-care system.

Among the institutions that would benefit from the measure--which requires approval by two-thirds of voters--are the county’s Natural History Museum and Museum of Art and Music Center, as well as proposed performing arts centers at Cal State Northridge and in the San Gabriel Valley.

The Natural History Museum and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art would have to raise $112.5 million each to obtain bond contributions of $98 million, while the Music Center and planned performing arts center at Cal State Northridge would have to raise private contributions of $10 million and $15 million, respectively, to receive matching dollar-for-dollar public funds.

“There’s never been a bond measure issued by a government agency whose issuance is conditioned on the prior receipt of an equal or greater match of private money,” Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky said.

Though backers praised the linkage of public support to private contributions, critics said it was risky--and warned that it might encourage opposition to another measure on the November ballot: a proposal to impose a parcel tax to fund the county health system.

“We’re in an economically uncertain time, and we’re seeing state and local governments loading up on tax increases,” said Kris Vosburgh, executive director of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn. “If the county’s primary goal is to get more money for trauma centers, I think it’s a mistake to put something else on the ballot that would raise homeowner taxes.”

The county auditor-controller estimated that the bond measure for cultural institutions would require the owner of a $250,000 home to pay $6.96 the first year and $6.04 the second year. In subsequent years the payment would decline if county real estate assessments increase.

Some of the public dollars would be used to retrofit older facilities like portions of the Natural History Museum, which was built in 1913, and the 40-year-old Museum of Art.

But they are planning major renovations, and much of the money slated for “improvements” essentially could be used to subsidize new construction.

If it passes, the bond measure also would provide $15 million toward a proposed $75-million performing arts center at Cal State Northridge.

The university’s theater seats about 500 people. At 1,600 seats, the new venue’s size would rival that of UCLA’s Royce Hall and the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts.

The university will use higher-education bonds and launch a fund-raising effort for the remaining $60 million needed for the new theater, Cal State Northridge President Jolene Koester said.

Officials said the project has been part of the campus master plan for many years, and will proceed whether or not the November bond measure passes.

The measure also would require the Natural History Museum and Museum of Art to increase free admissions for children and free tours to schoolchildren by 50% over their respective 2001-2002 levels before receiving bond funds.

Jane Pisano, president of the Natural History Museum, said the bond money would be an “enormous help” for a planned renovation expected to cost up to $300 million.

“I think it’s a tremendous gesture on behalf of the county,” Pisano said.

“These institutions provide common ground and opportunities for lifetime learning.”