Incomplete paperwork could delay Monday's vote on an arts center in downtown Richmond - a project that one councilman complained would cost taxpayers millions more than one Mayor L. Douglas Wilder had killed.

But the City Council's Finance Committee voted anyway to recommend the Wilder-backed plan for the $58 million Richmond CenterStage construction project.

Yesterday's votes on two ordinances came before the session was opened for public comment - drawing a complaint from one city resident that the decision appeared to be decided without public input.

"I feel helpless at this point," Silver Persinger told council members. "To me, it seems like a done deal."

Earlier, a consultant for the Virginia Performing Arts Foundation, which prepared the plan, said a possible delay of the council vote to Sept. 24 could lead subcontractors to back out of prices they had quoted in June.

Afterward, committee Chairwoman Ellen F. Robertson predicted the council would more than likely not vote Monday because the agreement as initially submitted lacked some supporting documents. Public-notice rules require complete proposals be available to the council and public for review.

"There's a legality there. I think we need to make sure we close that loophole," Robertson said after the three-hour meeting.

As she was saying that, Councilman Bruce W. Tyler said he was concerned by city administration projections, disclosed for the first time, that the arts center would cost as much as $50 million in financing costs over 20 years and up to $20 million in operating subsidies over 40 years.

That's far higher that the $27.8 million the city promised in 2003 when it agreed to support a version of the complex that would have filled the entire block bounded by Broad, Grace, Sixth and Seventh streets.

Wilder blasted that plan as a waste of taxpayer money after private-sector backers missed fundraising deadlines. His opposition forced a scaling back.

"In the back of my mind, there's a question whether with all that we have gone through, have we asked the citizens of Richmond for more money," Tyler said.

He said he wanted to amend the proposal agreement to limit the years the city would pay a $500,000 annual subsidy to operate the center and Landmark Theater. The 40-year contract for the project now sets no time limit.

It was a question from Tyler at the outset of the meeting that prompted City Attorney Norman Sales' opinion that the vote might have to be delayed.

Sales' opinion shocked backers of the project, who warned it could risk a key element - a guarantee from the main contractor that any cost overruns above $58 million would come out of its pocket.

That contract can't be signed until the council acts, said Michele Walter, a consultant to the foundation.

And that price is based on bids that subcontractors submitted in June, and those promises run out after 90 or 120 days, she said.

She said there could be a problem with subcontractors even if word of a possible delay got out.

J. Robert Mooney, vice chairman of the Virginia Performing Arts Foundation, said: "I think we want to regroup. I'm optimistic we'll have a chance to continue to present our case. It's more of a City Council discussion than ours."

Richmond CenterStage is scheduled to open in fall 2009, and leaders of several arts organizations told council members they need the project's go-ahead because they're already planning their 2009-2010 seasons.

Council President William J. Pantele said he's hoping to be able to vote Monday and didn't want to say who might be responsible for any increased costs.

He said his primary question about the agreement was addressed. He clarified with the administration and arts foundation that the $500,000 in city operating support for the arts center would be in lieu of - not in addition to - the more than $750,000 that taxpayers now pay annually to operate the Landmark Theater.

"I think, all in all, this is a well-put-together plan," he said.
Contact David Ress at (804) 649-6051 or dress@timesdispatch.com.

Contact Will Jones at (804) 649-6911 or wjones@timesdispatch.com.