The conclusions point to some of the factors that constrain a community from fully maximizing its negotiating advantage as a resource holder. The development of new cultural facilities has become a key aspect of urban economic development strategy. This article analyzes the confluence of interests that brings public officials, arts entrepreneurs, and arts patrons together in support of these projects. The case of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark is offered as an example. The center's development process is discussed and its impact evaluated.
Historic preservation is a planning technique employed in many American metropolitan areas.
A local ordinance specifies those districts that deserve careful attention, then an Architectural Review Board determines whether or not the proposed redevelopment schemes are appropriate for the historic design character of those precincts. Today, there are over 1,800 such boards in place, making critical decisions on rehabilitations, infill development, urban amenities, and public art projects. In the process that culminated in the Arthur Ashe statue taking its place on Monument Avenue, the activities of public planning institutions were central. But the ultimate decision was the product, as well, of local politics, racial attitudes, public art standards, and passionate concern for the integrity of an historic landscape. This article seeks to illuminate the intricacies of that local decision-making process.