varider

Wow. They really want to get our hopes up!“Several” new developments in TC?! What a teaser. This + the Convention Center proposal = an interesting day around here

https://www.pilotonline.com/government/local/vp-nw-capstone-development-0408-20230410-cajmqd6gxnbbzclzcyj5ie7g6a-story.html Capstone Development of Washington, D.C., led by Norman Jenkins, submitted plans for 933 apartments, which include workforce housing, a 300-room convention center hotel, a restaurant and retail space. The development would replace the existing convention center surface parking lots. The proposal stated the city would lease the land to a developer, and the city would own and operate parking garages on the site. It’s about three blocks from the Atlantic Park project that recently broke ground. It’s unclear who requested a delay of the public briefing on the project, or why.

Construction camera link

https://www.vbgov.com/government/departments/communications-office/hot-topics/entertainment-district/Pages/Dome-Site.aspx We might be hitting a home run with this one.

The development will also include 309 apartments, 10,000 square feet of office space, a 1,4555-space parking garage and 100,000 square feet of space which will house a virtual reality attraction and high-end Mexican, Asian and statehouse restaurants. https://www.wavy.com/news/local-news/virginia-beach/catch-a-wave-atlantic-park-closes-on-financing-and-begins-construction/

https://www.pilotonline.com/business/vp-nw-atlantic-park-deal-closes-0331-20230330-l7k7llctqre4rh3wg5qvojxw34-story.html

yes, it is already coming out of the ground. It feels good to start to chip away at the sea of parking.

I am super impressed with summit pointe so far. It may even rival Town Center one day IMO in size and amenities.

https://assemblynfk.spaces.nexudus.com/events/1415179175/the-future-of-norfolk-st-pauls-transformation-project?public&fbclid=PAAaZc5xbuXohi4pBbBEmt9F3ArQFUjJGlnUO3ML83peOoqAbmXcz9svjoehs Event today on SPQ

The private proposals included public open space anyway. Bruce Smith/ Armada Hoffler plan specifically had over 4 acres of open space! You really think a park with literally nothing around it, which basically is what it already is (just with a lot of asphalt) that the city has to maintain in perpetuity, is a better plan than 3 10+ hotel towers, a 13 floor apartment tower, AND 4 acres of green space for public recreation?? With development + open space, there would actually be people nearby to activate the park. Also, what about the tax base?? Do you know how many towns would do anything for proposals like that? Again, I truly understand the need/ desire/ purpose for a park down there (just like south pointe park Miami), but that it surrounded by huge condo towers and the density is way higher to make the large park feel active. I just don’t understand. Not ONE single person on CC shared my concern. The people who literally built the Oceanfront and this town for that matter proposed what they thought would be best for the sustainability and future success of the Resort. The same people who would uproar if VB raises taxes are the same people who wont support private development so we can have a tax base/ tourism dollars to keep taxes low. Now all the sudden they’ll support spending millions of dollars on a city park that I predict will be underutilized

As long as there’s the huge empty lot at 31st/Atlantic, I’m not going to get excited over any “urbanization” at the oceanfront. & I understand public input, but our CC has no backbone, no leadership, no identity. 4,000 NIMBYs (likely the same few ppl voting over and over) is not “majority rules” in a city of 460K. It’s the vocal minority that rules IMO. They city has 8+ acres of land in probably the most beautiful spot we have, and they’re going to turn it into a VB city park that we have to maintain and try to keep bums out of?? why can’t we compromise? VB residents deserve open space/park/access, but nobody should be able to live down there in a nice condo tower or stay in a nice resort at Rudee Loop? Just a walk through the park? That’s all Rudee is good for? It’s a shame, and our CC are literal puppets.

I can’t believe VB is really going to turn the entire Rudee Loop into a city park. I understand saving public access and a little green space, but I never imagined there would be zero ground up development in that area. Unbelievable to me. 90% of the public input was in favor of a green space.

Seeing the transformation taking place in SPQ is absolutely amazing. It truly is a milestone and a monumental upgrade. It already makes downtown feel bigger IMO. Also, the Gravity on Waterside and the Fusion apartments are exciting to watch go up and have a pretty decent presence. & we have the Railyard project, and as mentioned, mixed-use apartments/Publix at ODU. I think it could be much worse. not to mention, the cruise terminal should be getting an upgrade w/ more frequent cruises coming into town, Nauticus is also getting an upgrade. HRT is hosting LRT sessions with proposed route / station / renderings.

Sadly, no news to report from todays state of city. No update on surf park, no new developments , no talk of rudee loop, no new businesses, no new jobs, nada

https://www.wavy.com/news/local-news/virginia-beach/virginia-beach-prepares-for-state-of-the-city-address/ State of City is later today

https://gohrt.com/2023/03/norfolk-light-rail-extension/ 4 upcoming public meetings for LRT expansion

https://www.virginiabusiness.com/article/norfolk-tech-startup-plans-1m-expansion/ Norfolk-based digital magazine startup Magazine Jukebox Inc. (MJB) will invest $1 million to expand, moving from a coworking space into an office, and will create an estimated 20 jobs. Founded in 2020, Magazine Jukebox is a subscription service that provides digital magazines as alternatives to print magazines for commercial spaces with waiting rooms, like salons, car dealerships and medical centers. The company distributes QR codes and displays for guests to access digital magazines, and access continues for up to 36 hours.

https://www.wavy.com/news/local-news/delegate-says-bill-to-help-finance-norfolk-arena-isnt-ready-for-prime-time/ I am disheartened by the fact that we are effectively competing against Henrico for a new arena, and disappointed by the “leadership” around here. I just can’t understand how the city and this region can be so dysfunctional.

I don’t have a good feeling about Headwaters either at this point, but I don’t think the area can only support one casino. Rivers Portsmouth is doing very well, and I can only imagine that summer will bring even more people to the casinos, and I think a casino in Norfolk would be supported more by tourists and ppl in VB rather than having to cross the tolls and go into P-town. I imagined Norfolks casino being more of a destination spot with a hotel and connectivity to the ballpark, whereas Portsmouth could be more for locals and those more towards Suffolk and western parts of our area. Either way, I don’t think I’m that disappointed that Norfolk might not get a casino, rather I’m just fed up with projects being announced around here and marketed to us, that either take way too long or end up cancelled/watered down. There’s no way Norfolk can grow and prosper without pulling off some of these major projects. The only places that did attract people to downtown are closing up shop and moving on. Without retailers like urban outfitters or the Apple Store, or restaurants like Texas de Brazil, or businesses like Norfolk Southern, coupled with few nightlife options, who does the city and developers expect to move to Norfolk and be exited. We actually had momentum for a bit, and I was hopeful for some of the other projects we talked about like Gateway Tower, Greyhound station redevelopment, potential new arena downtown or military hwy, and I’m trying not to turn into a pessimist about this area, but I just don’t think I can hold my breath any longer waiting on things to change around here. We take two steps forward and then a few steps back, every single time. Even restaurants like Luce or Union Taco that people used to drive to Norfolk for, have opened up locations in Summit Pointe. Norfolk gets the Patriotic Festival and then VB comes back with an even bigger and better country festival that surely will take detract from Norfolk. I just don’t know what gives, seems like we’re stuck in a loop of mediocre status quo around here where you either suck it up and deal with it or find a way to a more happening and exciting place

https://www.dailypress.com/business/vp-bz-high-street-developments-0210-20230214-twy33sm6hbgrbelrkzqxhzsv6y-story.html?fbclid=IwAR1G4U8OfeIsPXX8pqYb9XoskN55N-tBsgizmULSBcbeVLrc8hupwXAPcOY&mibextid=q5o4bk Two planned developments, linked by their access to High Street in Portsmouth, could bring as many as 282 new apartments to the city, including 50 affordable units. Virginia Beach developer Ripley Heatwole Co. wants to build 232 apartments on land it owns in the Churchland neighborhood. The project would redevelop the former Kroger supermarket at 5601 High St., which closed in 2015, into 192 units. The redevelopment would also create a pool and clubhouse and modernize an existing 10,356-square-foot building for commercial use. The second site, adjacent to the Kroger location at 3109 Tyre Neck Road, would be turned into an additional 40 apartments. The apartments would be located in four four-story buildings. A few miles down the road at 1100 High St., an Ohio developer is planning to build 50 affordable housing apartments.

https://www.virginiabusiness.com/article/130m-mixed-use-development-planned-for-hampton/ A proposed $130 million development will bring 118 townhomes, 284 luxury apartments, 96 senior apartments and 6,000 square feet of retail space to Hampton. The project, called The Olde Hampton Village, will span 16 parcels across nearly 23 acres near downtown Hampton, at the former site of the Lincoln Park housing development, on LaSalle Avenue, off Interstate 64 and near Langley Air Force Base and NASA Langley.

https://www.wtkr.com/news/whats-going-on-with-the-railyard-at-lamberts-point?_amp=true Apparently this will be finished this summer

As if it couldn’t get any worse for Granby St. , Urban Outfitters has closed up shop.

That's what makes it more odd that VB and Chesapeake say that here's been little to no discussion about an arena. It shows no level of commitment or partnership when the other cities aren't even in the discussion at the table

Richmond has been killing it lately. They have at least 3x as many projects to keep up with. I’m jealous to say the least.