Before building schools or affordable housing, Richmond’s business elite pushed hard for a performing arts complex that members said would be built with (mostly) private money. But taxpayers kicked in $54 million of the $73.4 million total cost, on the backs of restaurants that were force-fed a 1-percentage-point hike in the meals tax. Has it made a difference? It’s your money: You decide.
Second Place: Justin French
Third Place: SportsQuest