Marina Shores Marina demolition update

Learn more at Marina Shores Marina blog post here.

We have learned of a few more updates regarding the demolition of the two main buildings on our property. Demolition will officially begin next week, January 7th. Heavy equipment has already begun to be moved on to the lot in preparation. Starting on Monday, the small kiosk buildings and the Yacht Club building (former admin office) will be the first to be demolished.

Bubba’s being elevated 5′ over the next few weeks. Some photos.

View the article & photos at Pilotonline.com.

The Blackwater-based company moved the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse for the National Park Service 20 years ago and is elevating several homes in Virginia Beach through a federal flooding assistance program.

Bubba’s will be one of the most challenging, he said, because most of the work will have to be done during low tide.

More photos below.

VB City Public Schools and CBF are partnering on a new environmental science program for high school students, which will be based at CBF’s Brock Environmental Center in OCEAN PARK PEOPLE!

What is the goal of the new environmental studies program at Virginia Beach City Public Schools, which will use the new classroom?
The Environmental Studies Program will empower students to broaden their understanding of sustainability and the environment by using the Brock Center and surrounding natural community, implementing environmental service learning projects, and integrating interdisciplinary instruction.

Learn more.

Dream impossible dreams & work on them because sometime they DO in fact come true!

Mayor Dyer to Hold Meet and Greet Events This Month

Listed at VBGov.com.

Wednesday, Dec. 19
5 – 6 p.m.
Bayside Recreation Center
4500 First Court Road

JOIN US!

About Mayor Bobby Dyer.

He currently serves as the City Council liaison to the Human Rights Commission and the Process Improvement Steering Committee, which he initiated. He has also been appointed to serve on the Hampton Roads Planning Commission and the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization.

#LESNERBRIDGE Ribbon Cutting yesterday at beloved Lynnhaven Boat Ramp & Beach Facility

3 Mayors, 2 City Managers, 2 Delegates, 2 VB City Councilman and a lot of senior VB Staff who helped make it happen attended plus neighbors who love the new Lesner.

There was even a surprise light show by Randy Burkett Lighting Design who also attended.

Yay!

“Gov. Ralph Northam made the announcement Wednesday in the sustainable Brock Environmental Center”

View article at Pilotonline.com:

He proposed dedicating $90 million each year starting in fiscal 2020 to a cost-sharing program to help farmers make their properties more environmentally friendly and a one-time $50 million deposit into the Stormwater Local Assistance Fund. The plans require General Assembly approval.

[Emphasis ours.]

More about Stormwater Local Assistance Fund here.

Lesner Bridge Ribbon Cutting Wednesday, December 12, 2018 4:00 p.m.

It’s here!

Event at beloved Lynnhaven Boat Ramp & Beach Facility.

R.S.V.P. to: LesnerBridgeProject@vbgov.com
(Update: You will not receive a reply to email.)

#LESNERBRIDGE update about paving from Project Manager

ConCamScrnShotNov27

Screen shot of construction cam on Nov 27 ’18 at noon.

Update from email:

Folks,

We are at a point where the last of the surface pavement is ready to be placed on the project. Beginning at on Tuesday, 11/27/2018 paving work will take place on WB Shore Drive between Page Avenue and East Stratford Road and is expected to be completed by 11/29/18. Since nighttime temperatures are expected to be below 40°F, this work will take place during the day between the hours of 9:00AM and 3:00PM. The paving schedule is as follows:

11/27/2018, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
WB Shore Drive between the Bridge and East Stratford Road (in front of 3556 On The Bay Condominiums)
Pave the LEFT TURN lane and the INSIDE thru lane on Shore Drive

11/28/2018, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
WB Shore Drive between the Bridge and East Stratford Road (in front of 3556 On The Bay Condominiums)
Complete paving of the INSIDE thru land on Shore Drive then pave the OUTSIDE thru lane on Shore Drive and East Stratford Road (between Chesapeake House and 3556 On The Bay Condominiums)
WB Shore Drive between Page Avenue and the Bridge (in front of Overture Apartments)
Pave the INSIDE thru lane

11/29/2018, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
WB Shore Drive between the Bridge and East Stratford Road (in front of 3556 On The Bay Condominiums)
Place permanent pavement markings
WB Shore Drive between Page Avenue and the Bridge (in front of Overture Apartments)
Pave the OUTSIDE thru lane

11/30/2018, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
WB Shore Drive between Page Avenue and the Bridge (in front of Overture Apartments)
Place permanent pavement markings

This schedule may change due to weather.

Please drive carefully when travelling this portion of Shore Drive!

-Chris

Christopher J. Wojtowicz, PE
Engineering Construction Manager
City of Virginia Beach
Department of Public Works
Engineering Division
2405 Courthouse Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23456-9031
Office: (757) 385-5785
Fax: (757) 385-5668
Email: cwojtowi@vbgov.com

Trees are the answer for Overture at the Lesner Bridge

You may remember the proposed Ocean Shore Shoppes LLC which was to be located next to Overture at Ocean Shore Ave & Cherry Tree Place near intersection on east side of Lesner Bridge.

The property will NOT be developed.  Thanks to all who helped make this happen.

Ocean Shore Shoppes LLC has sold the lot to Greystar, owners of Overture, for permanent preservation including 2 gorgeous live oak.

Photo from application to BZA

Planning Commission will be holding a workshop on “Short Term Rentals”, Thursday, November 29, 2018 at 5 p.m.

Planning Conference Room, Building 2. The public is invited to attend, but there will be no public comment.​

Official Online Home Sharing Economy page at VBGov.com.

“Text-to-911 is part of the Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) project. It is the ability to send a text message to reach 911 emergency call takers (911 telecommunicators) from your mobile phone or device.”

Text to 911 at VBGov.com:

Here are a few tips and suggestions that will help citizens use the tool more efficiently and effectively if needed:

Texting should only be used for emergency situations that require an immediate response from police, fire or emergency medical services. Non-emergency issues should still be communicated by calling the non-emergency number, 385-5000.

​​​Calling 9-1-1 is quicker, more efficient and preferred, so texting to 9-1-1 should be reserved for those who are deaf, hard of hearing, unable to speak and those who are in a situation where speaking is unsafe.

Provide the location and nature of the emergency in the first text. This will enable help to be dispatched as quickly as possible . . .

Virginia Beach is among only 10% of municipalities in the nation where this is possible. It’s always better to call if you can, but you do have the option to text if you can’t.

Brief update on #LESNERBRIDGE from Project Manager about paving

From an email:

Regarding Lesner Bridge:

Placement of the remaining sidewalks on the north side of Shore Drive between Page Avenue and East Stratford Road is taking place this week and will be completed by next Friday (11/16/2018).

On Sunday night (11/11/2018) between the hours of 9:00PM and 5:00AM, Public Utilities will be working in the inside lane of Shore Drive installing a valve into the new 16-inch water main located approximately 350 feet west of the Page Avenue/Shore Drive intersection. After this valve is installed, McLean is on schedule to pave westbound Shore Drive between the Page Avenue/Shore Drive intersection and the WB Bridge and between the WB bridge and the Shore Drive/East Stratford Road intersection. McLean anticipates the paving of Shore Drive to take place over two evenings, 11/15 and 11/16/2018. All required jackhammering will be performed during the day prior to the nighttime work.

Once this work is completed, only the landscaping and boardwalk remains to be completed for the Lesner Bridge Replacement Project.

Thank You,
-Chris

Almost done!

Screen shot of construction cam shot on Nov 9 9am

“Thanks to a $1.5 million gift, the school system could soon start an environmental studies program at one of the world’s greenest buildings. The division hopes to debut the program at the Brock Environmental Center in 2020.”

Learn more at Pilotonline.com article:

But few, if any, have access to a facility with the Brock Center’s acclaim. In 2016, it became one of the first 11 projects in the world to pass the “Living Building Challenge,” considered by many to be the highest honor for green buildings.

That news is outstanding! However . . .

Not all of Pleasure House Point is permanently preserved yet.

Note photo on this page. There is also private property located just off Dinwiddie Road next to Brock that is not permanently preserved. There’s also an opportunity to preserve what’s known as PHPN located next to 7/11 on Shore Drive & Shady Oaks and a slimmer chance of preserving 2 lots located next to Pleasure House Creek overlook on Shore Drive.

Note the amount of trees and vital habitat that is at risk for destruction. Birds, including those migrating in the Atlantic Flyway, depend on Pleasure House Point and it’s open space to survive.

November Baylines from Bayfront Advisory Committee

View November 2018 Baylines. (4 pg PDF)

Phase III Shore Drive work to go to bid
The long-delayed third phase of the Shore Drive improvement project is expected to go to bid in February, with construction on the highway segment between the Lesner Bridge and Beech Street tentatively set to start next summer…

#LESNERBRIDGE update on paving and single lane traffic

From an email:

Folks:

As with every project where there are many players, schedules change – this one is NO EXCEPTION. Some of the paving work that was supposed to have been completed last night wasn’t; therefore, our paving schedule for tomorrow has changed a bit.

Here are the details:

Beginning tomorrow, 10/25/2018 at approximately 9:00 AM and ending at approximately 12:30 PM, the final course of pavement will be placed on Vista Circle between Shore Drive and Cape Henry Drive, as well as Cape Henry Drive from Vista Circle to the entrance to Bubba’s Restaurant. This work will require intermittent street closures of both Vista Circle and Cape Henry Drive, so please plan accordingly.

Paving crews will move to the west side of the bridge (East Stratford Road) immediately after paving is completed on Cape Henry Drive.

Paving work on East Stratford Road and Piedmont Circle will begin tomorrow, Thursday 10/25/2018 at approximately 1:00PM. Therefore, beginning at approximately 1:00 PM and ending some time near 10:00 PM on 10/25/2018 expect East Stratford Road to be CLOSED between Piedmont Circle and Shore Drive and Piedmont Circle to be CLOSED between East Stratford Road and the showers at Lynnhaven Boat Ramp while paving operations are underway. Paving crews will also attempt to pave the RIGHT TURN lane on eastbound Shore Drive at East Stratford Road (the one in front of J&A Racing) during this same time period.

Finally, on Friday 10/26/2018, expect single lane closures on both eastbound and westbound Shore Drive between Vista Circle and East Stratford Road between the hours of 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM. On eastbound Shore Drive crews will be placing the permanent pavement markings on the asphalt pavement between East Stratford Road and Vista Circle. On westbound Shore Drive crews will be working on sidewalk and utility work along the north side of Shore Drive.

We will continue to provide updates on anticipated lane/street closures as we near the final stages of this work.

PLEASE Drive Carefully through this work zone as we complete this work.

Sincerely,
-Chris

Christopher J. Wojtowicz, PE
Engineering Construction Manager
City of Virginia Beach
Department of Public Works
Engineering Division
2405 Courthouse Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23456-9031
Office: (757) 385-5785
Fax: (757) 385-5668
Email: cwojtowi@vbgov.com

Update about jackhammering in the middle of Monday & Tuesday nights by LBR&BF

From an email:

Folks:

Hopefully everyone has been enjoying the new eastbound Lesner Bridge since its opening on Labor Day weekend. First of all, I want to apologize to all of you who live in Ocean Park that endured the noise from road work on East Stratford Road in the early morning hours of Monday 10/22 and Tuesday 10/23. Several lines of communication within the project team were broken and resulted in not just one night of disturbance, but two. For that we sincerely apologize to everyone affected.

We scheduled this night time work on East Stratford Road to minimize the disruption of operations of the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and American Brew. However, in order to minimize the night time noise created by this milling and paving work, we are going to complete the paving work on East Stratford Road and Piedmont Circle during the day on Thursday 10/25/2018. Therefore, beginning at approximately 9:00 AM and ending some time near 6:00 PM on 10/25/2018 expect East Stratford Road to be CLOSED between Piedmont Circle and Shore Drive and Piedmont Circle to be CLOSED between East Stratford Road and the showers at Lynnhaven Boat Ramp while paving operations are underway.

Piedmont Circle Closure at Lynnhaven Boat Ramps for October 25, 2018

Piedmont Circle Closure at East Stratford Road for October 25, 2018

East Stratford Road Closure for October 25, 2018

Paving work is also taking place TONIGHT, 10/23/2018. Beginning tonight about 8:00 PM and lasting until 5:00 AM, road crews will be preparing to place the final asphalt surface course on eastbound Shore Drive located between the bridge and Vista Circle. This paving work will also include the intersection of Shore Drive and Vista Circle, Vista Circle between Shore Drive and Cape Henry Drive, and Cape Henry Drive between Vista Circle and the entrance to Bubba’s Restaurant.

Another update will be sent out once we have a firm schedule for the upcoming paving work for westbound Shore Drive between Page Avenue and East Stratford Road.

Thank you all again for your patience as we push through the final stages of this multi-year project.

Sincerely,
-Chris

Christopher J. Wojtowicz, PE
Engineering Construction Manager
City of Virginia Beach
Department of Public Works
Engineering Division
2405 Courthouse Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23456-9031
Office: (757) 385-5785
Fax: (757) 385-5668
Email: cwojtowi@vbgov.com

“The Virginian-Pilot has found mounting evidence that real estate values across Hampton Roads are being driven down as a result of recurrent flooding and sea level rise.”

View article at Pilotonline.com:

Values of seemingly safe houses several blocks from the water are hurting as well.

Several recent studies have shown that impacts from flooding – from water in the basement to inundated streets – already have hamstrung property prices and cost Hampton Roads homeowners hundreds of millions of dollars in lost or unrealized values.

And:

A group of university economists published a study this summer showing that severe storms – which scientists say have become stronger and more frequent in recent years due to climate change – can have a meaningful impact on property value and how long a home spends on the market in Hampton Roads.

Properties in high-risk areas declined in value after major storms and stayed on the market longer – and not just in the initial aftermath.

In related news, UN IPCC released report illustrating we have 12 years to stop global warming at + 1.5C.

The world’s leading climate scientists have warned there is only a dozen years for global warming to be kept to a maximum of 1.5C, beyond which even half a degree will significantly worsen the risks of drought, floods, extreme heat and poverty for hundreds of millions of people.

Start at The Guardian article to learn more.

It’ll be interesting to see if stakeholders in Virginia Beach find the will to mitigate climate change & sea level rise impacts so it can exist another 50 years.