VBIllini13

This really isn't the City Council's decision, it's the public's decision as well as the decision of businesses that choose to relocate there. I think a common misconception by many interested in planning in this region (not necessarily all of you guys) is that just because a city plans for something that it will be up to the local government to ensure it goes there, or put it there. This is most certainly not the case. The most a planning department can do, with the help of the department of development, is rezone the land (which can only be done if it is city owned or if the owner applies for a rezoning) or in the case of development, facilitate in the decision-making process to make it as easy for the new business as possible. This plan is all fine and dandy, but did this author once say how he thought businesses were going to relocate to Waterside? The government obviously can't force them to move there and as of now it is quite an unattractive building. The only thing the city can do at this point is redevelop it, sell Waterside like a Realtor selling a house, and hope that a desired use or business moves in there.

I don't know why this thread is in the Hampton Roads forum. Charlottesville is a good 2 and a half-3 hours away from me. vdogg can you move this?

Now I resent that statement. Americans are harder working than workers of any other country, and we are the most versatile as well. And that's not only my belief, but it comes from the mouth of Mr. Progressive himself: President Obama.

Easier said than done.

Oooh. one thing you learn both with experience and at school is that you NEVER shove ANYTHING down peoples' throats. No matter how much you think you know what is good for them. Yes, of course Virginia Beach isn't as progressive as Norfolk, and I am quite happy we aren't. Do I want light rail? Of course! Do I like my house in my subdivision? You betcha. Light rail really doesn't mean improving certain neighborhoods in Virginia Beach (and in Norfolk), nor does it mean quality of life will decrease. People have a right to mobility, and public transportation is in fact a necessity, especially in a region as spread out as this, and yes crime may increase if the Tide is extended to Virginia Beach. One cannot make a valid argument that an increase in crime isn't so bad because it's worse in other areas. That's why people live here, because we're not like other areas! But that's not the argument most NIMBYs are making. Contrary to many Democrats' beliefs, Tea Partiers and the VBTA are not full of racists. They don't want light rail because of its burden on all city taxpayers. Now while I think that the resulting economic growth greatly outweighs the cost to build, that is their opinion and not mine (that LRT shouldn't be built because of high taxes). In other words, the VBTA and other opponents are driven economically against rail, not racially driven. Remember that this is America and a democracy. Rule by consent of the governed, by the majority with protection of the minority (opinion in this case). The governed (the citizens of Virginia Beach) may or may not want to pursue light rail). The majority, whichever opinion, cannot take democratic freedoms away from the other party. Being conservative and fiscally responsible is not a bad thing at all, and progressivism is far more dangerous than conservatism (I'm talking about radical progressives here people, not liberals). As long as the thing gets built within a reasonable cost, I believe that the economic growth, aided by lower taxes, will greatly boost the region's economy. My main disagreement with strict fiscal conservatives are that they are short sighted and do not see prosperity resulting from responsible spending.

Virginia Beach and Norfolk don't compete with each other. Norfolk realizes they will never be Virginia Beach, and Virginia Beach realizes they will never be Norfolk. Each city is just offering options for the citizens of their and other cities from which to chose. Leaders of both cities realize that if the cities compete like they did in the 1960s and 70s then we will have slow economic growth due to little regional cooperation and we will be bypassed by many economic opportunities.

I never said it wasn't a pro sport, I said it wasn't as major league as NFL/MLB/NBA. Yes I think we would all be excited if the MLS decided to move a team here, and I think the region would get excited too. I just don't think the franchise would get consistently good attendance, nor would it last long. I mean, I don't know about the rest of you guys living in HR, but most of the people I talk to don't even mention the US beating Algeria, let alone soccer at all. Only a very small portion can name who the last MLS champion was and even fewer can name all of the teams in the MLS (this is also the case with the UFL). Okay I'm just rambling now, but my point is that soccer probably won't ever be big or popular this area.

I don't consider MLS a major league sport in the same light as the NFL, MLB, NBA, or even NHL (which isn't that major league either, having no major network contracts). Soccer just isn't that big in this country, especially this region. It's incredibly boring to watch (my personal opinion of course) and I, just in general, don't think it's ever going to catch on or be big in the United States. Just because a league has the word "Major" in front of it doesn't make it a high profile sport and something that will draw in large crowds. Y'all ever hear of Major League Lacrosse? It's popular, just not here. It's big in areas where soccer is popular, yet it will never be as big as the NFL, MLB, or NBA. Maybe it's just me and everyone I know in this area that doesn't like soccer, but I believe it would be a huge bust if it came down here. I know I've brought up this point before in relation to other topics, and I apologize for my repetitiveness, but soccer is more of a European/Latin American/eastern sport and we are not those countries, nor are we trying or want to be like any of those countries. Football is our sport here. If you ask most people in the region, or even the state, they would definitely rather watch football. It's rougher and more intense than soccer (please spare me the running around for 90 minutes bs) and it's in the region's history. I will admit there is a demand for soccer in this country; it's just not here.

And here's the article from the UFL's website. This is pretty exciting! Norfolk, Virginia To Host Sixth Team

Interesting you didn't include an area that is still considered downtown right now - Harbor Park. Yes, it may be cut off from the rest of downtown because of I-264, but the city still considers it downtown and wants to develop it as such. Main Street is even part of that area. I believe if Norfolk voters chose to demolish that huge overpass, that area would develop like we want it to. Unfortunately, Norfolk had that chance about 20 years ago but voted against it (surprise) and will have it again in about 50 years.

haha I saw that on a t-shirt the other day for "If rednecks ran healthcare" (that would be the hospital)

you've asked this question before. are you expecting a different answer?

Just stumbled upon this. Are you listening federal government? Or are you just going to sit on your rear-end and pretend like we don't exist!? I'm with these guys

Believe me, they are not "just learning about this." Here's my plan, how about instead of a freaking "spur" off of the Richmond line, how about they add us in to the freaking main line. I don't give a damn if the Richmond-Raleigh route is already near the final steps of the planning process. Do what our Congress should have done with health care: start over and quit ignoring Virginia's most important region. Maybe go Richmond, Petersburg, Bowers Hill, Norfolk, then South from there. This whole national planning process is obviously not working out.

City Hall, 10th floor, northwest corner is by far the best if you can get up there

Does anybody know what they're doing by the long-term parking garages? I've noticed this going on for a while. They clear cut the trees and I've heard nothing on what they're building. My guess is more parking?

Not trying to start this argument again, but BFG your plan has way too much government involvement in this. If the market isn't there than it's not there and the government can't force it to be there because a stadium or arena being built won't necessarily bring in a team, there's just no guarantee with that. Your plan leaves out any possibility of private funding, including probably one of the most important - naming rights. Why shouldn't private companies compete with each other to bid the highest price to a private developer to have their name on a privately-owned venue? Why do the local governments have to be such major investors in a venue. Yes, they could provide some money and build infrastructure as part of a private-public investment, but when the government takes on too big of a role people will get angry that their money is paying for something about which they weren't consulted. I'm all for a pro team coming to the area, but I don't want the city/region to build something that will remain under-utilized for years while we wait for something unlikely to happen. Capitalism, competition, and the free-market should and will regulate any relocation to this area and the development of a sports venue thereafter. That is not only my opinion, but the majority opinion of the residents of this metro.

I think Las Vegas does want a pro sports team. It generates more money and provides a greater diversity of things to do, especially for residents. What they would probably do is do what they do in the case of collegiate sports in Nevada and make it illegal to bet on the team.

I'm fairly certain that Las Vegas after this year's census will move past Hampton Roads as the biggest metro (very unfortunate) without a sports team, and they have a privately-owned monorail that links different hotels and shopping areas along the Strip.

By expanding the parking lot, do you mean adding spaces or taking them away? If they took spaces away the area would become way too congested and they shopping center wouldn't meet parking requirements. I actually think that little strip of shops and restaurants fits in nicely with the 21st street environment and it still seems somewhat urban to me, even with the setback. And in terms of your list, as long as the Jason's Deli is better than the one at Pembroke (disgusting and horrible service) I'd be for it.

I think they make up more than just a small percentage. VB is a rather conservative city, as are Chesapeake and Suffolk, and I know there are many people in the area who get very angry if you mention gun control, abortion, taxes, etc.

repost

Thanks! That's a nice piece of information to have. If only more people rode the train, the state wouldn't have to subsidize it so heavily.

info please. back up your claim

Please correct me if I'm wrong (and back up with evidence), but no aspect of Amtrak is profitable, that's why it's run by the government, because it doesn't make enough money to be in a competitive industry among different private companies. Also, both Amtrak, but especially the Acela, usually arrive at and leave the station right on time. I'm not anti-High Speed Rail, and I'm very much for it to come here (I drew up my own proposal of my own national HSR system when I was sitting in class one day), but like you said cal, we need the density of the northeast for any rail service to come even close to being profitable.