Opinion: Cities Should Think Twice About New Cultural Centers

Civic leaders should be cautious about rolling out the red carpet for new or expanded museums, performing-arts facilities, and other cultural centers, which don’t always have a net positive effect on surrounding areas, Kriston Capps writes for CityLab.com.

Recently published research examining projects between 1994 and 2008 shows that poverty rates fell and property values climbed in communities where new cultural centers were built or existing centers were expanded.

At the same time, however, poorer residents were displaced. In addition, there is some evidence the supply may have exceeded demand, leaving cities to spend to maintain centers that aren’t heavily used.