mistermetaj

Build a 50/50 split revenue arena at Newtown Rd. or at the intersection of Kempsville Rd. and Princess Anne. It's the center of South Hampton Roads and is the much more accessible than the oceanfront. Also, both Norfolk and Va Beach want to urbanize the Newtown Rd. area, so they can do it simultaneously on both sides. Oh, it also happens to be where the transfer point will be between the two lightrail lines.

Great job Va Beach! Keep pushing growth at the oceanfront. I love it! Beach nears deal to get indoor skydiving off the ground: http://hamptonroads.com/2013/01/beach-nears-deal-get-indoor-skydiving-ground Looks like a GREAT PROJECT

I think most people in VA Beach support development and the stadium. Just as this website is a sound board for pro development for us, the Virginia Pilot and its comment board section is a sound piece for the VBTA and their cronies (Kerry Daugherty). Truth be told most residents probably dont care too much either way and will go along with what the council wants to pass.

One of the main blog posters goes by the name SacTownMike. He feels he's taken the bull by the horns educating he "community"of Virginia Beach. He also claimed he emailed all the Virginia Beach city council and got a favorable reply from one of the council members (2/11 chance to guess who it was). What he doesn't realize is the "community" he educated were pilot online.com posters who already don't want the arena and represent the tea party minority, and the council already voted to pursue the funding through the state. Now, I'm not saying we have a chance because I don't think the state will fund us, but it ticks me off that some nobody poster from Sacramento actually thinks he made a difference.

What is also interesting is how inter-related projects are with one another. Look at Va Beach. The 19th St. entertainment complex was resurrected (found financing) because of the POSSIBILITY of having the new areana. Likewise, the Westing Hotel and Conference Center may be ressurected because of the Waterside revitalization. This in turn is leading developers to bring more apartments downtown. I like the idea of major projects spurring the infill projects this area needs.

Excellent looking filler! Excellent location. Another great find by Ghentite! Also, if you look at the flier posted on Ghentite's website, http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=b385ee73e7b465ded957fce3f&id=20a81572a1&e=3382bd2766 you'll see they have modified the plans for 401 Granby as well, adding more brick. I am very pleased with DT Norfolk's design and material standards they seem to be brining with these projects. These are the infill projects we have needed to finally push DT expansion westward. GREAT NEWS!

It is all going to come down to the state backing us or not. They have all the power to make it happen. I am extremely cautiously optimistic. I have little faith in our legislators or the state, but this may be too good to let slip away. We'll see...

The GSA had a HUGE hand in preventing Granby Tower from rising. He had all intentions to build. He was driving piles in when it was finally canceled. The GSA put a hold on the development until the economy collapsed and he lost all financing. That was not Buddy's fault, it was poor timing caused by the GSA. Now, the great GSA is going to leave it a vacant grass lot for the next 20 years. Buddy has done some great projects in Norfolk. There is one in Ghent I alwasy enjoy driving by which looks straight out of New Orleans.

The buildings he is tearing down, if ever historic (I don't think they were) were completely stripped of any ornimentation and were blighted.

For what it's worth there's a city planning commission preview today at City Hall. http://www.norfolk.gov/planning/saintpaulsquadrant.asp Looks like there's a city council preview next month as well. I am curious if anything in the project has changed. Weren't they going to put the bus transfer station there now? That may serve as the catalyst to get the who redevelopment going

Rumor is, the city of Seattle wants to actually own the team, not just attract them to the city. I imagine it's to avoid what happened with the Sonics. Supposedly, the Maloofs' don't want to sell the team. I think it comes down to the state now. Va Beach IMO is all in for all intents and purposes. That state either funds it or kills it now. We'll know by February.

I posted this in the Beach Dome Site thread, but for those of you who didn't see it, I still think it's applicable to the arena, in that just the proposal already looks to have an economic benfit for the city: Dome site funding on track to meet goals:http://touch.wavy.com/20000/5084910 and the major reason given for the interest of additional investors...THE ARENA PROPOSAL already the city is seeing a benefit and it isnt even approved yet. highlights include a broadway theater and a large ferris wheel.

Obvious disdain for the capital city? Wow, you have me pegged all wrong. When I went to UVa I used to visit Richmond and walk the canal and the fan district and even visited friends at VCU. I have very little bad to say about Richmond (some sketchy areas but what city doesn't?). Just because I don't agree with the decisions of legislators and what I believe is favoritism among our politicians does not mean I have disdain for Richmond. You are taking this as a personal attack on Richmond which it is not at all. I merely stated (and we both disagree) that if this proposal were in Richmond I think it would have been pushed through. Maybe I am completely wrong and again, neither of us will ever know. But to say it's out of disdain for Richmond is ludicrous. But I digress. I'm sure NOVA residents would not want to fund it. Truth is, they are far enough away where this metro has no affect on them and vise versa. However, given the studied economics of the situation and the benefits it would supposedly bring to the state, I hope this project is voted for.

you are using examples from Richmond which are not in the same hemisphere as a national professional team. It is conjecture by both of us what the state would do if this kind of development was proposed for Richmond. I won't pursuade you anymore than you me. Your mind is just as made up as mine.

Dome site funding on track to meet goals:http://touch.wavy.com/20000/5084910 and the major reason given for the interest of additional investors...THE ARENA PROPOSAL already the city is seeing a benefit and it isnt even approved yet. highlights include a broadway theater and a large ferris wheel.

you are talking about a local triple A team compared to a national NBA franchise which three studies have now shown the economic benefit to the state. It would be the only national franchise in VA since the skins are now out in Maryland. Additionally no team will go to Northern Virginia and compete with the DC franchises. Not to mention chances like this happen once every ten to fifteen years at best. I have no doubt given the projected economic benefits of this project, had it been proposed in Richmond, the state would be singing a different tune. This is a far cry from a triple A baseball team.

it must irk the state that the most under developed underutilized yet second largest region got this proposal. you know if this stadium was for richmond there would be money available.

While the arena is being built, the Kings (King Neptunes?) would have to play at an alternative venue for at least 2 years. The whole concept of this stadium banked on the fact that VA Beach could pull a commuting fan base from Richmond (Considered the metro area >3M). It is in the best interest of all parties to have the team play in Norfolk, Hampton, and Richmond while the stadium is being built. The larger the grassroots fan base becomes, the more likely this would be a success. It would also help gain state support for funding with the guarantee that different parts of the state can share in the franchise for a few years while VA Beach gets their stadium. I see nothing wrong with this scenario and welcome it.

I don't think that's how it works. This isn't NYC, developers don't come to Norfolk building on speculation only. Buddy Gaddams (the guy who wanted to build Grandy Tower) is the one developing this building. He knows the area very well (see East Beach development). I think he sees a market for living on Granby St.

I'll try to be optimistic, but it looks like the city's costs are going to exceed the city's willingness pretty soon: Va. Beach proposes raising hotel tax to pay for arena This quote is very unfortunate to see: "The report also indicates that the city's contribution to the project has risen from $195 million to $241 million now that the cost of borrowing money for the project has been included." Comcast - Spect. needs to put up more money for this...

Nothing about that article surprises me. First of all, I know I sound like a conspiracy theorist, but I think Burfoot is playing with Cordish money under the table to push this through as hard as he can. How can he possibly think going to the Cordish development in Philadelphia which is RIGHT BY ALL THE PROFESSIONAL SPORTS STADIUMS is representative of Norfolk, then he is beyond delusional. Until Cordish announces they are bringing anything NOVEL to the area, they are simply ressurecting a failed project for the 3rd time. At least the city finally dumped it on someone else. As city manager Jones said, it'll save the city $1M a year NOT maintaining it, so I guess that is a silver lining.

First of all Ghentlite GREAT FIND! As for the building, I do think Granby deserves a little more contextual architecture since its the only really historic road left downtown. If that is indeed the chosen design, I hope it will be VERY HEAVY on the brick. Something with the materials of Belmont at Freemason would be disappointing.

Ah yes, Her Eminence Kerry Daugherty, after weeks of obscurity writing fluff pieces about how parents should act with their college kids returning during the holidays (who doesn't want to be told how to parent their child?), has ebulliently returned to bashing the city council and progressive development. I imagine it was hard for the Queen (jester?) of the VBTA to feel the twinge of defeat during the local elections, where each and everyone one of her cronies running for office on the platform of no lightrail and no stadium were soundly defeated. Or that the devil himself, Mayor Sessoms, was once again elected to lead our city towards progress and national exposure. Times were most likely bleak for Queen Daugherty, until a grand prince still living in the 1960s threw her a lifeline. Enter, Del. Tata. The man was a real boob. He called her land a "beer and pretzel town" and swore to prevent those who wanted to move past the concessions. Now, her triumphant return to unabahsed attacks on progress have arrived with this article: What fiscal cliff? Beach politicians are raring to spend My favorite albeit benign quote: Del. Bob Tata, a sports enthusiast, told The Pilot this week that the Beach is a "beer and pretzels" place that cannot support a pro sports team. When I talked to him Thursday, he said he doesn't know a single member of the Beach delegation who's on board with the arena. After all, since Tata is a sports enthusiast, he must know exactly what the Beach and State residents will support. Not the THREE OBJECTIVE STUDIES indicating this is a profitable venture for all, but the "sports enthusiast" Del. Bob Tata. It is being a sports enthusiast, without probably reading a single financial study, that gives him his credibility and immediate "objective" reaction to publicly bash the area he represents and shoot down progress without consideration. Lets not forget Daugherty's final blurb of her piece to show her solidarity with his redneck views: "Virginia Beach has poured hundreds of thousands of dollars into this project. Time for City Hall to present a detailed plan that reassures taxpayers - you know, the folks who are worried about college tuition and how they'll pay for Christmas this year - that a sports arena is a sound investment. In the meantime, pass the beer and pretzels." Glad you're back Kerry. Keep up your devisive NIMBY posts perpetuating anti-progess, anti-government, and racism in Virginia Beach.

Lawmakers react to Va. Beach pitch for arena funding Well, here we go again. Just another VA Beach representative I find who's views are reprehensible: Del. Bob Tata of Virginia Beach, an appropriations committee member, called the arena concept “pie in the sky.” “This is a beer and pretzel town,” he said. “Realistically, if I had to vote on it, I’d vote no. I just can’t see. Pro sports, it’s a tough racket. It’s here today, gone tomorrow.” He said he doesn’t think an NBA team could be successful in Virginia Beach if it can’t make it in Sacramento, the capital of California. “The lobbyists alone ought to be able to fill up the arena every game,” he said. So, just so we are clear, our deliagate to the general assembly bashed us publicly. Calling us a "beer and pretzel town" is equivalent of saying "low class and poor". You wonder why we are the forgotten cul-de-sac of Virginia and suffer countless tolls while it seems Richmond and Northern Virginia get all the perks (better highways and infrastructure), it's because our reps openly degrade us. Bob Tata makes me sick and has the same back water redneck attitude of John Moss and Bill DeSteph. This isn't the 1960s and 70s, our city has grown up, he just can't see it through his redneck agenda fogged glasses.

Well here is an update on the situation. It lays out a likely scenario. I'm not overly optimistic but I'm not down either. It's going to be a very interesting time next week when all of this is laid out in front of the city council. These numbers look pretty big though... http://blogs.wavy.co...ach-the-latest/