“The City Council approved on Tuesday the transfer of $1.2 million from the parking enterprise fund for Freebee.”

Shore Drive gets shafted yet again. So far.

While OceanFront again secures infinite funding, the Bayfront Shuttle budget gets SLASHED IN HALF.

“Route 35 Bayfront – The frequency will be modified to operate every 60-minutes. Route 35 will not provide service to Parks Avenue/19th Street. Service will be streamlined along Pacific Avenue. Route 35 will service the Edgar Cayce A.R.E on 67th St.”

HRT Service Adjustment link.

BAYFRONT SHUTTLE ROUTE 35 at HRT.

Pints for Preservation: Enjoy History Trivia and Craft Beer in Support of Cape Henry Lighthouse

In partnership with Preservation Virginia, the nation’s oldest statewide historic preservation organization, the Virginia Beach Historic Preservation Commission invites you to celebrate May as Historic Preservation Month through “Pints for Preservation.” Take part in this refreshing experience at local craft breweries in support of the Cape Henry Lighthouse and its ongoing preservation needs.

Throughout the month of May, each participating brewery is donating $1 per pint sold of their special designated Historic Preservation Month beer to support the lighthouse. The special beers are:

  • Reavenator Maibock – Reaver Beach Brewing Company
  • Without Question Light Lager – Pleasure House Brewing
  • Witty Wilde Belgian Wit. – Vibrant Shore Brewing Company

Find out how much you know about local history as your trivia team competes for prizes during the two remaining trivia nights. Each event will test your knowledge about Virginia Beach’s history starting at 7 p.m. on these dates and locations:

  • Monday, May 22, Pleasure House Brewing, 2032 Pleasure House Road
  • Thursday, May 25, Vibrant Shore Brewing, 505 18th St.

Commemorative pint glasses will also be available for a donation ($10 each; 2 for $15) during the trivia nights and all proceeds go to the lighthouse’s restoration fund.

Contact Mark Reed, 757-385-8573mreed@vbgov.com for additional information about the Historic Preservation Month events.

The Virginia Beach Historic Preservation Commission is a City Council-appointed body that advises council on issues related to historic resources. They seek to preserve, protect and maintain the historic integrity of Virginia Beach and the former Princess Anne County through a program of advocacy and increased public awareness and involvement. The commission actively supports projects to survey historic resources, recognize historic buildings, districts and events, and research hidden areas of the city’s history. Visit www.VBgov.com/historicpreservation for additional information about the Historic Preservation Commission.

When will Shore Drive Phase IV Happen? New Engineering Study and Recent budget defunding point towards Never.

Shore Drive Phase IV (SD P4 as many like to call it) has been planned for the past 17 years. The project is slated to improve traffic and pedestrian safety as well as stormwater and aesthetics on Shore Drive between Marlin Bay and the Lesner Bridge in Ocean Park.

The City Council recently defunded, for the 3rd time, the SD P4 project indefinitely as part of their 23/24 FY Budget. The community was recently made aware of a new SD P4 study, which can be researched below, that identifies a project cost increase of $20 million from $30 million to $50 million. Based on the huge increase and lack of Council support, it appears that this project may not begin construction until 2040 or beyond.

The newly released SD P4 Engineering Design Study and background information can be found at the Ocean Park Civic League website – https://opcl.org/2023/05/09/this-just-in-2/

The actual study documents are fairly large file sizes and can be downloaded here – https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1aMyj-7ws1xg9tOgIjLc4lxC3kI-1TXhr

So is this project a pipe dream? We certainly hope not. Stay tuned for more developments and make sure to attend upcoming Bayfront Advisory Commission meetings to provide your input. Next BAC meeting is Thursday May 18th at 3:30pm – https://weloveshoredrive.com/2023/05/10/bayfront-advisory-commission-meeting-thursday-may-18-at-330pm-ocean-park-rescue-squad/