"It's not pie in the sky" -- Backers of $83 million events venue say it will help the economy

It's July 24. Williamsburg's proposed entertainment venue will bring economic benefits and house our robust arts scene, backers say. Plus, how local coffee houses compete with Starbucks.

Site plan for performance and event venues, left. Rick Overy, right.

A task force of local arts supporters will be making the rounds of local governments over the next few months, lobbying for an $83 million entertainment venue next to the new Greater Williamsburg Sports & Events Center.

But the high price tag may be a tough sell.

Patricia Rublein chairs the group , which goes by the somewhat unwieldly name of Advocates for Live Performance Venue. Rublein, a patron of the arts and former head of the Williamsburg Art Commission, put together the task force more than three decades ago looking for a home for the area’s performance groups, who have representatives in the ALPV.

Supporters say there is enough demand between residents and tourists to fill a large concert hall and amphitheater 100 nights a year.

“What we have is a robust arts culture without a venue,” said Rick Overy, a private wealth advisor who is a member of the advocacy group.

Besides the Williamsburg Symphony, which has grown to 70 performers and 800 subscribers, Williamsburg is also one of the Virginia Symphony’s four locations.

It also boasts an opera, choral guild and ballet groups, a playhouse and an annual film festival and Williamsburg Live festivals

William & Mary’s decision to cut Phi Beta Kappa Hall’s capacity in half when it renovated the building took away the venue used by the ballet and some symphony performances. The renovation, from 2018 to 2023, cut seating to 450, which Rublein said is not enough to pay the costs of a symphony or ballet performance.