NORFOLK, Va. — The City of Norfolk said the Virginia Opera owes over a quarter million dollars for unpaid rent between 2019 and 2024 at a city council meeting in May.
Since its renovations in the 1990s, the Harrison Opera House in Norfolk has been the main stage for the Virginia Opera.
Norfolk City Council has proposed a new lease agreement with the opera company. It would include a one-year renewal of the space on Virginia Beach Blvd, plus a five-year payment plan to recoup the unpaid rent. The Opera would have to pay $54,000 a year until 2028. However, there haven’t been any moves to adopt the lease. At the meeting, Alan Reynolds, an opera board member, says the numbers are wrong.
"I was just going to say I understand it's being continued. I'll convey that to the board and hopefully, we can work things out. But I will say there's quite a disconnect between our evaluation of that," Reynolds said.
Restoring nightlife and entertainment in downtown Norfolk has been top of mind for city leaders. In a statement, a Norfolk Spokesperson said "the City and Opera are working together and expect a favorable resolution for all parties. The City continues to support the arts, of which the Virginia Opera is an integral part."
At the June 11th meeting the council decided to table the discussion until a later meeting.
Peggy Miller, the opera’s director says the “negotiations are ongoing and positive.”