Kevin Cheph Randall
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Posts posted by Kevin Cheph Randall
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4 hours ago, mintscraft56 said:
Yep, Norfolk and Portsmouth are great for light rail. I too never understood the thought process of never extending to the other urban core of HR. Not only that but Norfolk gets less out of it too with the light rail staying in the same city. But realistically knowing the HRT the best hope is Chesapeake where at least they have a close urban centre and a fast growing population. HRT does not seem like it wants big expansion across the Elizabeth yet for reasons I still cant see.
Its just best to go for the best hope and pray they add Portsmouth into the plan soon.This part!! The fact that HRT may have light rail to Greenbrier is smfh level failure. Greenbrier is not walkable, the streets are crazy big and fast, and there's nothing that would lend people to explore the area. The light rail being completely in Norfolk is even more head straching. Light rail to South Norfolk then across the Elizabeth to Portsmouth would immediately pay dividends. It would also put multiple large employers on the light rail line Norfolk shipyard in Portsmouth is right across from South Norfolk and employees thousands of people. The shipyards on Norfolk side like BAE would be on the same line, that another massive employer. Effingham in Portsmouth runs from the shipyard directly to the Naval hospital another large employer. HRT is squandering time and money trying to convince people who live suburban lifestyles to choose mass transit it's ass backwards.
Build the rail from Navel Station Norfolk down Hampton Blvd to ODU, start the new line from Norfolk State across to Berkeley to South Norfolk to Portsmouth. That would put light rail into the biggest universities and employers in South Hampton Roads also a population demographics that uses mass transit. Downtown Norfolk would sit in the center of it all and I'm sure it would have been a large boom for Downtown Norfolk too with so many people traversing the rail lines.
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59 minutes ago, vdogg said:
Unfortunately, Governor McToll a few years back signed an agreement that prohibits us from having another crossing that directly competes with the Downtown/Midtown tunnels. This includes light rail. If we were to build a light rail crossing we would have to pay substantial damages.
Wow I didn't know that, WTF were they thinking I knew the tolls were bad but wow I didn't know it was so binding as well. Portsmouth was completely sold out, this only further my stance that the State hates HR, Norfolk and Portsmouth in particular. The state has done so much weird, guinea pig, test tube type governance in this area that has not been successful at all. HR is also a failure on the state as well, the state stopping annexation and allowing cities is the biggest and most fatal flaw of HR. Now it make sense that both cities got a casino SMH the state had to get more cash in to these areas, from previous shortsighted governance.
Every other metro and core cities in Eastern VA are doing very good, Richmond and NOVA are kicking ass and HR is just so stagnant it's losing the battle at the #2 metro, Richmond will overtake us very soon. And I honestly point to the city/county relationship that is allowing those areas to flourish. Especially Richmond Henrico and Chesterfield understand that a county is to work in compliment with the city, not compete for competition sakes. Norfolk doesn't have the luxury of being top dog even though it's the only city in the area that can compete on a state and national level. Im just so bummed that HR developed the way it did and continues to live down it potential.
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Portsmouth wanted the light rail more than any other city in fact Portsmouth ask the State to allocate money to build a rail line thru the newer side of the midtown tunnel, and the state like always shunned Portsmouth. Instead they tried VB and got burned so as far as I'm concerned the state and HRT are also to blame. It's kinda mind-blowing that Portsmouth got a toll instead of mass transit makes you wonder WTH is up with the thought process of the powers that be.
But here we are again trying Greenbrier another car centric suburb that will under utilize mass transit. HRT is really doing its light rail ass backwards, they continue to neglect the "REAL" urban core of the area and force light rail to the suburb?
If they want to see the light rail used build it to Portsmouth those are the people who would use it, and HRT knows this they just continue to neglect the underprivileged rider, students, and largest employers in the area. Continue to neglect the urban core and you continue to see and have a outpaced Metro, mass transit included.
VB and Chesapeake are suburbs sorry not sorry, they were built as such and mass transit doesn't really make sense in those areas where people make more money and have multiple cars. They have already have too much underutilized transit VB and Chesapeake are full of empty buses
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I know it sucks now ,but Richmond will get a casino, the irony will be the casino will probably be located on the Northside of the city exactly where those residents didn't want it. Richmond is the ONLY location left in Virginia who can get a casino per State law. Unless a Indian Casino goes the federal route.
People have to vote it's that simple, we all know older white / wealthier population will vote faithfully. It's the more impoverished/ younger/ minority voter who need to understand the importance of voting, it's sad really how many people don't vote. I'm a black guy and I know at the VERY least 35 peers my race who don't vote, couldn't careless about politics. Literally 1000's of residents who wanted the casino didn't care to vote, so yeah there's that too.
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14 minutes ago, Icetera said:
Pamunkey could potentially go the federal route but is it really worth it? Without a competing casino in Richmond and with future planned Amtrak improvements, Richmonders will be more likely to travel to Norfolk anyway. All four Richmond area stations will have a nice direct stop at Headwaters.
But Richmond is still allowed to have a casino in fact it's the only location left, it maybe worth going the federal route so a referendum isn't needed. But this is only a theory so you could very well be right.
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I believe per state law Richmond is the only other local in VA that can build a casino. Does this become a yearly thing? How often can a vote be held until a casino is built?
This issues isn't going to die, Richmond is still allowed to build a casino per state law.
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8 hours ago, Icetera said:
From my understanding, the referendum, per State rules, required the vote on operator and location. Since it has already passed I do not believe there is any room to reopen bidding. It would be nice to see Pamunkey up the scale on their project after Richmond's embarrassment.
Didn't the state law allow for casinos in 5 VA cities. Richmond still can have a Casino and I believe Pamunkey owns land in Richmond already, so in theory Pamunkey may still be able to build in Richmond? Maybe? Or would it be another referendum?
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https://electrek.co/2021/10/25/siemens-gamesa-us-first-offshore-wind-blade-factory/
Portsmouth chosen to build the US 1st wind blade factory. 200m dollar investment great news for the city, and area. Hopefully the city can get a ornamental windmill to place downtown, it'd be cool.
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What are the odds another city in VA gets SITW? Or will he leave VA for another city/State? I hope not that'll sting the most.
Btw VA Beach has been taking alot of flack here lately, sheesh. The monkey noise neighbor has made national news as well.
Also I know VA Beach take alot of flack here too, but now can sensible residents understand why. Giving the recent developments in news, VA Beach continues the legacy that created it, in 2021 smh.
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Yeah this only strengthen my stance that VB continually is not a positive force for change in Hampton Roads. And being AA I can totally relate to the toxicity that Pharrell speaks of in VB. Sad really but not surprised I spoke of this months ago.
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6 hours ago, vdogg said:
People seem to have this strange notion that there's some magical wall on the city borders that causes a dollar to vaporize as soon as it crosses the city line, there is not. People live in Va. Beach and work in Norfolk, or live in Norfolk and work in Va. Beach, or any other of the numerous combinations you can get from a region with 7 main cities. The arena in Norfolk will benefit Chesapeake and Va. Beach directly as there will be a spill over effect in hotel rooms needed. Something in the Water, which was held in the oh so nefarious city of Va. Beach, sold out EVERY hotel room in Hampton Roads. Development in the region helps the region.
The cities boarder kind of do act as a invisible wall, an invisible wall to lock in money for sure. I'm not giving VB credit for SITW that's was all Pharrell if VB had their way nothing would be going on during college beach weekend. When VB gets it's way we end up with no light rail outside Norfolk.
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26 minutes ago, BeagleAccountant said:
No. Where did you get that idea? They are not going through the tribal casino process, meaning the land will not become sovereign land. So while the Pamunkey Tribe will be the operators of the casino, they will still owe all the associated taxes of operating a casino; hotel occupancy tax, food/alcohol tax, property tax, gaming taxes etc.
Ok I see I thought the tribe would own the land.
So initially Norfolk was going to allow it though? I read the deal with Pamunkey last year was redone.
The idea about Pamunkey still building in Richmond came across of Richmond Casino thread.
Could Pamunkey be holding out for a better situation in which the can operate a true Tribal Casino? just playing devil's advocate
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1 minute ago, Kevin Cheph Randall said:
That's kind of what it is though, not stealing the spotlight but not sharing it either. Every city builds with the hope of moving THEIR city along and no city helps the other. So it's hard to be excited about development with no regional benefits in mind. That's how we're here now, every city for itself, with a ton of redundant development.
I guess what I'm trying to say is. What's good for a city isn't good for the region. The things that would benefit the region most aren't popular, especially if it means OUR cities are required to cooperate.
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On 10/1/2021 at 7:14 AM, vdogg said:
If we truly want to operate as a "region" we need to be happy when development is occurring in any of our cities, and not view it as one city stealing the spotlight from another.
That's kind of what it is though, not stealing the spotlight but not sharing it either. Every city builds with the hope of moving THEIR city along and no city helps the other. So it's hard to be excited about development with no regional benefits in mind. That's how we're here now, every city for itself, with a ton of redundant development.
Back on topic, was it ever mentioned the tax revenue the casino would generate for Norfolk? Supposedly the tribe still owns land in Richmond and could build a casino in Richmond. The problem there is the casino would be able to evade alot of taxes. Is the same true in Norfolk? While Richmond Urban One Casino would actually provide taxes to Richmond.
Did Norfolk really sign on just to get a casino? That only promised jobs and development? If so that's the kind of shortsighted competition that hurts the region.
Portsmouth Casino is expected to generate 7mil for the city, 1500 jobs, as well as opportunity for local and minority business owners to participate. Also looking to partner with TCC to start a hospitality department.
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7 hours ago, mintscraft56 said:
People must see that Norfolk/Portsmouth is and should be the primary cities in the area! The casino(s) is going to definitely boost economy and travel. It will also be a attention grabber to bigger corporations. Though we all hoped for a tower its fine how it is...as long as we get a casino. Though I want to know how Portsmouth is head of Norfolk right now..... Though to everyone reading this I please ask you to not give all your hopes into this yet because we all know how some times super exiting projects end up in Norfolk...Cough Cough ( Tide light rail expansion to OF, Granby Tower, Gateway tower, Norfolk Plaza, and what I see as worst and best at the same time is Mc Arthur Center because it was good for 15-19 years but now is failing and is wasting 4 blocks of space although it was built to say the least.)
It has alot to do with new tax production, the cities that were chosen are all small independent cities, with a history of money issues. If I'm not mistaken Norfolk Indian Casino wasn't initially a site chosen by the State, that same tribe tried to build in New Kent and Richmond, before choosing Norfolk. I'm almost sure Norfolk wanted a casino, to up-one on Portsmouth which is a huge issue regionally, and may not work to Norfolk's benefit like initially thought.
I for one think if Norfolk actually put in real work they could have redevelop Harbor Park area 10 yrs ago. The area literally has a light rail stop, baseball stadium and a train station and the city has done nothing to capitalize. Why the city sells the land, for a Indian casino was weird, instead of mixed development. Portsmouth on the other hand has a state senator that has been pushing for a casino in Portsmouth for like 25 yrs, done the leg work and is ultimately the catalyst for casinos in VA. Portsmouth also didn't make deals with Cordish that is also holding Norfolk up.
I wasn't a fan of Portsmouth casino location initially and thought 1 casino should have been built between DT Norfolk and DT Portsmouth. I also felt like the casino should have been based in Portsmouth given Louise Lucas push. Now that things are underway I'm glad Portsmouth didn't choose that location on Crawford Pkwy. It's a tiny space and I'm sure building the casino there would have slowed the process WAY down. Leaving the area without a casino for 2 more years, but it's looking like Portsmouth casino maybe up within a year, and that exciting for the area.
I'm not too sure how I feel about Norfolk's casino it maybe MUCH different especially with all the in-between time. It never crossed my mind but MacArthur would of been a perfect location for a Norfolk casino, hell the mall could of been sold to the Tribe, and renovated into a casino. It's close to everything the Cruise port, Waterside, The Main,Sheldon Arcade, Granby, and sits between 2 light rail stops. Hindsight is always 20/20
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Portsmouth and Rivers wanted to have the state's 1st casino. It wouldn't surprise me if the Norfolk casino is way late to be built. Supposedly Waterside developers had rights to build a casino 1st in Norfolk. I don't think that issue is resolved yet.
Rivers and Portsmouth believe the state should have the leg work done by October. Rivers is set to go vertical come October, the groundwork and concrete base are being laid now.
The difference is Norfolk doesn't have a national brand building, it a tribe casino. I would expect things to be quite slow for that reason alone.
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6 minutes ago, Mountain_Junior said:
Tying identity to independence is a tactic used by those who would not benefit from a unified city here (e.g. local politicians and those that support them). It’s not true but to many people it seems to make sense, despite numerous examples to the contrary. Ever heard of Hollywood? Brooklyn? Queens? Little Italy? All communities that thrive despite being part of a larger city. Lots of examples in HRVA too: Ghent, Kempsville, Phoebus, Churchland, Deep Creek, and Pungo are all communities that at some point became part of a larger city and they all have thriving identities and unique characters. So to answer your question: yes it is B.S.
Also, about the “why isn’t it attainable?” It is. Consolidation is a legal mechanism allowed by VA law(§ 15.2-3500). When the majority of voters in two or more adjacent localities approve, it can happen. It’s a joining together of equal entities. It’s not annexation and it’s not one city absorbing another. Moreover, there is no way for politicians or anyone else to stop it or say it can’t happen. (In fact VA law says that if local leaders won’t move forward after a petition has been submitted to the locality, the circuit court will issue an order to hold the vote on consolidation) It’s only a matter of political will and anyone who says it won’t happen is just telling you their cynical prediction of the future, not a fact of law.
Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkExactly every city/area already has an identity, or at least areas that are uniquely theirs. Nobody would confuse DT Norfolk and the Oceanfront, even DT Norfolk is different from DT Portsmouth.
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13 minutes ago, vdogg said:
The HRTPO does work though. The HRBT would not be under construction now if that were not the case. Everyone got together on that one, everyone had skin in the game. I’m not saying that everything works right now, but some things like hrtpo do, and we can use that as an example to build off of. Regional financing for transportation, transit, arenas, etc., are all things that are doable now. Pooling regional resources to attract Fortune 500 companies to our area is also doable. It’s realistic. The complete dismantling of Va. Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk is simply not going to happen, so let’s focus on what’s attainable.
Why isn't it attainable? Every city would lose it's independent status.
Why do independent continually get tied into individuality?
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2 hours ago, vdogg said:
Some history.
There were 3 referendums.
Voted down in 1999, APPROVED in 2012, voted down in 2016 after a smear campaign by a city leader.
I'm honestly not sure where intend to go with this approach, you seem quite intent on alienating anyone that tries to find middle ground with you, so my final question is what would YOU do to fix the problem?
Also, it's funny that you mentioned Pharrell. He has spoken many times on the issue of racism in Virginia Beach, which does exist, I've never denied that. But he is also the city's biggest booster and it's constantly trying to give back to the area. He has spoken of the love that he has for his hometown on numerous occasions.
Yes he has spoken about VB positively I think Pharrell is one of the driving forcing in trying to make VB a destination and that's awesome. But on the other hand his unarmed cousin was gunned down by VB Police.... But that's another issue so back to HR as a whole.
But yeah I stand very firm that this area needs to lose its borders. No I do not believe these cities will coexist, VB has had multiple opportunities to show better and hasn't. Is it fair that these large cities sit on 200+ Sq miles of land each. While Norfolk and Portsmouth combined are less than 100.You have no issue in keeping 'status quo', somehow now Norfolk need to ' break bread'. Honestly you guys got the kings ransom and have held the region hostage at times. The city council is voted in by VB residence so yes the demographic of your city isn't progressive and the smear campaign worked. It's hard to look past how VB moves.
How to fix the issue, the State needs to lose independent cities. It leads to unnecessary competition and elitist attitudes. Every city becomes a county and urban cores are incorporated into a new city call it New Dominion, I guess. Taxes and services will become shared. Break the new city up into equally populated district to elected officials to create a council. Mayor will be voted in by popular vote. The city annex unincorporated divisions every 8 yrs.
Diluting the voter base who reside in VB would help move this area along most. Everybody would have a say in transit and infrastructure issue, only way to get that lose the borders. Not breaking bread with each other, somebody always will want more bread.
Sorry also can you move to off topic I know this is totally off topic lol my bad.
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51 minutes ago, vdogg said:
The light rail issue is quite complex and can pretty much be blamed on one man and his smear campaign for it's failure. Remember, in the 2nd referendum VB residents actually APPROVED light rail by a wide margin, and city council squandered that opportunity in the years since. That's a leadership problem, not a resident problem. I assure you my friend, I have not been "fooled" by anything. I prefer to take a nuanced approach, and am not so militant in my views. You cannot go up to someone and say "you're the reason for all my problems and you contribute nothing" and expect them to break bread with you. Even if you truly believe that, that approach will get you no where diplomatically. If our leaders follow that approach, our issues with regionalism will continue ad infinitum, I promise you that.
The creation of Va Beach , Chesapeake and Suffolk ultimately doomed Norfolk and VA Beach continues to act in a un regional manner. Where is the lie? You want to sugar coat a lie as if Va Beach and Chesapeake hold equal weight and that's a lie. That is a continuation of the issues at hand, those 3 cities had no business existing.
It's not about breaking bread, this is about moving our region forward. There is nothing that Va Beach or Chesapeake has that can sustain Hampton Roads except their huge tax base. The tax base that should have already been in Norfolk coffers.
And VA Beach residence did vote down the light rail, you may not see it or even choose to believe it VA Beach is very much a city that is quite racy( racist). Pharrell and Bruce Smith have both recently eluded that, and I spoke with multiple VB residence who said the light rail would bring the GHETTO to VB......
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6 hours ago, vdogg said:
I don’t think it’s entirely fair or accurate to say Va. Beach/Chesapeake contribute “nothing”. Va. Beach is one of the largest tourist destinations on the east coast outside of Florida and is a huge contributor to the local economy. The bases in Va. Beach, if they were to close, would have a devastating impact on the entire Hampton Roads economy. Chesapeake has one of the few fortune 500 companies in this area. I will agree that the creation of independent cities was largely a result of racism back in the day, but unfortunately that ship has sailed. You are not going to uncreate Virginia Beach, there is simply no way either of those cities is going to be rolled back into Norfolk proper. It’s just not happening. We have to figure out a way to work together going forward that benefits the entire region.
VA Beach tourism does not support Hampton Roads and is only viable between May and Sept. The military insulations in VA Beach are in direct support of Norfolk's military base. VA Beach has done nothing and has nothing that could save this area. Sorry not sorry.
It is very fair and accurate for me to say VA Beach and Chesapeake does nothing, what have they done? Between those 2 locals is over 600,000 people, Chesapeake and VA Beach have absolutely nothing that should or could support 600,000 people. You my friend have been fooled in believing something that just isn't true.
Answer this for me too. If Virginia Beach tourism was so important to the region. Why didn't VB want the light rail to the Oceanfront? As I've said before VB is for VB not Hampton Roads and that city has actively crippled this area.
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16 hours ago, varider said:
At this point, I personally am just thankful that we are starting to see demolition and some new construction and infrastructure improvements in SPQ.
over the years, I’ve come to realize that we all have a different perception of what norfolk is and different ideas and aspirations for what the future of Norfolk and the 757 should look and feel like. If some of us, pro-urban, pro-development, pro-transit, die-hard Norfolk supporters had our way, SPQ would be transformed into a true extension of downtown with mostly 6-10 story buildings and a few 12-15 floor towers to capitalize on better views and accommodate a range of lifestyles. With that said, at some point I have to come back to the reality of the situation, and reevaluate and reassess my own expectations. I’ve seen many of us on this forum get our hopes up countless times before the inevitable letdown and disappointment occurs. Progress in this area is very, very, slow, and many people my generation and younger have already left for faster growing, more popular towns like Nashville or Raleigh. Every time a new development opens in the 757, it seems like a no-brainer and hard to imagine the area without it. For example, I can’t imagine the oceanfront without the new mariott and beach club and Orion’s roof, and I don’t understand why we don’t have more rooftop venues. similarly, i can’t imagine Norfolk without the main/ grain or odu without a football stadium. However, the newness eventually wears off, the support declines, and the excitement dies down as we look for the next new development which will likely take decades of back and forth and being watered down to the point where the final product isn’t even worth the wait, and the cycle continues.
As for the DT/SPQ conversation, until we have a dynamic job market and economy with population growth/ higher incomes, we can’t expect more than what is planned and what we currently see being built. We can’t expect to entirely transform the culture and see an unprecedented increase in demand to live in SPQ just because we tear down public housing and recreate the street grid. There is so much more to it that must be addressed which will take much longer than a lifetime to see fulfilled. For now, we must be thankful for the current state of development, and do what we can to be active and engaged in the process and the greater conversation of how to stimulate the local and regional economy and fix the perception and identify issues that plague this area, and honestly the entire state of Virginia.
finally, I would not worry about Norfolk running out of developable land.. I think the city could accommodate at least 100K more people within the city limits if we one day saw that monumental shift it would take to ramp up activity and development.
I am sure of one thing, however. Unless Norfolk/VB/757 take bold steps and commit to a unified regional plan and vision, we don’t stand a chance. Even I, the most avid Norfolk supporter, at some point will be so exhausted from being let down by the slow pace of progress and the divergent viewpoints and lack of identity and dependence on the military and just overall underwhelming experience that we will just move on with our lives somewhere else.
norfolk could be a vibrant, active, dense, dynamic, place to live and visit. There is nowhere in the 757 that even remotely has the vibe of Norfolk and the fact that the area can see 50K+ new residents in VB/ Chesapeake area while Norfolk loses population just speaks to the disconnect and identity crises that the city faces. If the tide turns, and it somehow becomes cool to live downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods and transit becomes popular, and people start to relocate as NOVA and other high cost of living areas become prohibitively expensive. However, we unfortunately will be in competition with Richmond for those seeking an urban lifestyle, and Norfolk will likely continue as the old navy port city with a tacky resort strip next door in the eyes of others, as us with rose colored shades will continue to see Norfolk as the crown jewel of Virginia with unlimited potential and will continue to fail to understand how Norfolk, with its prime east coast location and access can remain stagnant and mediocre, while other cities that quite frankly are unimpressive but-for the hype and the big city amenities that follow. If Norfolk raises to its greatest potential, it would blow all the new and up and coming cities out of the water (casino/harbor park redeveloped with high rises, mixed use, etc., MacArthur center redeveloped and integrated into street grid, ft. Norfolk built out with hotels,medical office and residential, SPQ built out into safe, mixed-income neighborhood, NEON built out with apartments and maybe a new museum to complement what exists, arena and mixed use In military circle, area around ODU built out with maybe a Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s? Etc. But for now, all of that is a pipe dream and people will continue to move to Chesapeake at a slightly above average rate and avoid Norfolk like the plague except for the occasional trip to the Zoo or maybe to see the fireworks on July 4... and I’ll continue to daydream about a dense, walkable, safe, clean Norfolk with multiple light rail lines, urban infill/TOD, an actual commute into business districts and not a commute to the naval base/shipyard, population over 300K, etc. the sad part is, the bold steps that Norfolk took over the past couple decades (light rail, The main, slover library, waterside, etc.) must be reinforced by continued efforts and investments or else it will all have been for nothing IMO. If light rail is not expanded literally ASAP, I envision literally ripping the tracks out of the ground by 2030. At this point, the train is literally a novelty and it’s honestly embarrassing to see the train pass by at night with the lights on and not a sole passenger in the light rail vehicle. The only time I’ve ever even seen a full rail car is immediately after a huge tides game w/ fireworks. There was so much hope and excitement when the tide opened, and here we are, hoping we can extend light rail a couple miles to military circle? and at best, we can expect BRT to the naval base? That won’t work in a million years and it’s an absolute shame that we can invest hundreds of millions of dollars for a train to nowhere and then expect people willl wait to transfer to a glorified bus? The rejection of light rail to the oceanfront via town center might have been the biggest failure and letdown this region will ever see.. as the population there is actually growing and the train would have bridged the perception gap between VB and Norfolk. If even 5%-10% of the population growth and relocations were centered around the light rail and activity was more clustered in any meaningful way, we would start to see the mixed use, denser urban developments we all dream for here. Without rail, vb and chesapeake will continue to sprawl and the bulk of investment and “urban” development will be centered in suburban environments like summit pointe rather than redevelopment and reinvestment in traditional urban neighborhoods in Norfolk or Portsmouth with endless potential for walkability in a more stimulating and active and desirable neighborhood..
Sorry for the rant.
The real issue in this area are the cities of Va Beach, Chesapeake, and Suffolk. Those cities have literally drained Norfolk/Portsmouth of essential tax base. Norfolk has to take unnecessary and calculated risk on a marginal amount of tax money. It quite ridiculous and flat out maddening that these suburb cities are allowed to sit on tax money their cities did not generate. VA Beach, Chesapeake, and Suffolk have done nothing to help this area no large industry, no real economic development, no higher education opportunities, they just literally STEAL tax money from the real economic engines of this region. Hampton Roads has to lose its borders pronto.
Hell yeah VA Beach is the biggest leach of all,nearly 33,000+ residence commute to Norfolk, use Norfolk and take money made in Norfolk to VA Beach it's disgusting the state allows this theft. The smaller cities have to raise taxes just to survive, while these suburb cities take no risk at all in moving the area forward. Honestly smaller independent cities in Virginia should sue the state for forcing and allowing unfair advantages of land locking urbancore cities and historic CBD's. If anything the state should funnel even more money into these communities or redraw district, distributing tax base accordingly. VA Beach has actively crippled this area on multiple occasions and continue to not live up to a city of 450,000 ppl. VA Beach has a negative 20,000 people who leaves the city to work, for a city of that size and money that stat is sickening.
Just think about how many billions of dollars have been wasted in this area??? Hundreds of schools, libraries, fire stations, government offices all overlapping populations in two different cities, that is freaking ridiculous as hell.
We need more people to understand that Virginia's system of independent Cities and land annexation are flawed as hell and all cities should just drop the independent status and create counties so services can be shared and taxes can be put to better use.
It's time for action honestly we need our state official and govern to understand just how flawed independent cities are especially if they can't annex tax base. Hampton Roads will need to be forced probably but it's long overdue. Casino's can not generate enough tax to help, maybe smaller independent core cities can make an argument for more tax money from marijuana sales like honestly the state cut the head off so many communities thru out this state it's just sad.
And in all honesty I believe the policy is based in racism, that ran rampant in our state. So don't blame Norfolk place the blame where it need to be directly with the state and these suburb cities.
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Yeah its weird phenomenon with Virginia cities, except NoVa only because D.C. cant build but so high. I'm thinking taxation plays a large role, independent cities are limited in how much they can do. I wouldn't be surprised to see the counties surrounded Richmond to build taller, like Va Beach did in HR. They have the growth and the excesses in taxes base, I'm sure Virginia sees the issues this set up present, I also think that's why specific cities are able to get casinos. Those cities were all stunted not being able to annex, maybe Richmond and Henrico can buck that in the future.
I wonder if there is a way to change things to have Virginia localities worked more inclusively. Every city is pitted vs another city or county, we need a new approach. Like sheesh how the hell do people living with 45 miles of each other consider themselves apart. These laws mostly went into place in the 70s, maybe its time the state reviews it.
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Yeah Richmond seems to be bigger than Norfolk for sure especially with all the development in Richmond lately. I think Richmond numbers are jacked considering the city was kind of mid riot LOL during the census.
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Norfolk Light Rail and Transit
in Norfolk
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I worked at ODU for a couple years Hampton Blvd doesn't flood, maybe the under path in Ghent but that's about it. Norfolk will also be heavily funded to mitigate flooding issues. I also can't believe that's a huge issue for HRT, Norfolk still has a enormous rail yard that operates directly beside the river. HRT is doing its best to force a square peg into a round hole. Fort Norfolk also sit directly beside the river and has been expanding fast, even more reason to believe HRT is using lip service if they say anything about flooding.