View DEQ response. (2pg PDF)
DEQ responds to OPCL request for more info & a public hearing
View DEQ response. (2pg PDF)
Author Archives: Tim
Screen shot construction cam this morning about 9am #LESNERBRIDGE
Just sayin . . .
How to join SDCC for 2018
We’ve simplified our Membership Form 2018.
Click for Printable PDF
Join us Monday June 25th at 730p at Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad to drop off your form.
VB “received $10 million last week for the river’s restoration project, and it provided a 50 percent match, worth $5 million, as a condition of the funding”
Check out article at Pilotonline.com:
The area being restored is vital for a healthy water habitat, Forget said. It’s where many species spend the early period of their lifespan, and where animals lay eggs. The restoration will not only support aquatic life in Lynnhaven but also in the Chesapeake Bay and the ocean.
She said the restoration will also aid tourism, specifically the quickly growing sector of ecotourism, a major part of the Hampton Roads economy. With the changes, maybe another president will make a trip out for the oysters.
BAC Outreach meeting will be held on Thursday, June 21, from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. at the Virginia Beach Resort Hotel and Conference Center
Mark your calendars !
June 7, 2018
Dear Community Representative:
Thank you again for expressing your willingness to participate in the Bayfront Advisory Commission’s Outreach ’18 communications initiative. Please bring your neighborhood’s most pressing concerns.
This spring’s Outreach meeting will be held on Thursday, June 21, from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. at the Virginia Beach Resort Hotel and Conference Center. It will be in a second-floor meeting room yet to be assigned by the hotel but a lobby sign should direct you that day.
Although you are receiving direct word, this is a public meeting and will be legally advertised as such. If you have colleagues from other neighborhoods who had not signed up in advance, please notify them that they are welcome, too.
The purpose of this meeting is for the BAC to receive input from you about your most pressing concerns. The over-arching purpose is to assist the Commission with its priorities for the year ahead.
Commission members do not expect to be prepared to provide status updates other than what has officially come before the body. This is a listening meeting more than a telling meeting. But, every effort will be made to find out answers, to schedule future presentations, to connect you with the proper city entity or whatever else is possible to help you in your community.
Thank you again for your interest.
Regards,
Kal Kassir, Chairman
Bayfront Advisory Commission
May 24, 2018 correspondence from Map Environmental to DEQ & ACOE re: proposed Lesner Municipal Wharf and potential uses.
At an unspecified time in the future, the City of Virginia Beach may request to use the dredged material disposal site (landward of the wharf) as a dredged material transfer site for individual SSD dredging projects. The scope and timeline for such projects is unclear . . .
Note: Our understanding is DEQ is still looking for answers from City of Virginia Beach about more detailed info on each of the speific uses the city listed for the new wharf including frequency of trucks for DMTS, safety plan for truck access road, durations for mooring of boats, and more.
We strongly believe a public hearing with DEQ to allow the public to comment is appropriate considering the controversy and impact the industrial use of the wharf could have on the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp & Beach Facility and the surrounding neighborhood including use of Shore Drive.
#LESNERBRIDGE update: “looks like we will move the eastbound traffic to the new bridge by the end of August 2018”
Email update today:
Citizens/Residents/Sunbathers/Sportspersons/Everybodyelse:
So you’ve got a great weekend to relax and enjoy the outdoors with the blue skies and great temps. You’ve stretched out in your beach chair, rubbed on the cocoa butter, put in the ear buds, grabbed an icy cold drink and NOW . . . you need something to read.
Well, you’re in luck. Just in time for your weekend, you have before you the missive commonly known as the Lesner Bridge Update . . . also popularly known as the Kingfish Chronicle or the Wojo Report . . . take your pick. In this edition, Kingfish enlightens us all with the latest work and accomplishments as we near the finish line.
While it may be somewhat briefer than past reports, he still finds a way to slip in some of that engineer lingo like “base and intermediate asphalt” and “subgrade on the east side” and “falsework for the gantry launch.” (I know . . . I’m getting goosebumps too!) It just doesn’t read the same when an English major knucklehead writes it.
Even better – just to show you Public Works knows how to economize – you can take this report, print it out and use it on the beach to swat the sand fleas and flies, and then dispose. “Multi-use” is our creed in the PW department . . . (as in – after I write this stuff I have to go empty the trash in everyone’s office and clean the windows . . . they’re “multi-using” me).
As always, we appreciate your questions and e-mails, so please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are regularly updating information on our WEB page at: http://www.vbgov.com/lesner-bridge. You can also follow us on Twitter at: @lesnerbridge.
If you haven’t already signed up for the City’s FB page or Twitter account, I encourage you to do so; that means you will receive timely updates from all things City-related and show that annoying friend who keeps running his yap about everything he THINKS he knows that you are far better informed than him.
If you know of someone who would like to be added to our update list, please have them get in touch with me at this e-mail address and I will be glad to add them – and please feel free to pass this along to others.
Thanks again for all of your interest and patience throughout this project.
Please . . . enjoy this weekend.
And don’t forget . . . stay safe, look out for each other, and put the daggone phone down while you’re driving – don’t make an LOL a DOA.
Drew Lankford
Media and Communications
Department of Public Works
City of Virginia Beachdlankfor@vbgov.com
(O) 757.385.8062
(C) 757.409.4353*****************************************
Folks:
Since the last update in March, McLean has completed construction of the EB bridge substructure, including Pier columns 8 and 9. They have also completed spans 5, 6, and 7 of the bridge superstructure and are currently working on span 8 (of 10). The new bridge fender system, including the navigational lighting has also been completed.
At the bridge approaches on both sides of the bridge, sidewalks have been placed, curb and gutter has been installed, painting of the retaining walls has been completed, and installation of the permanent handrailing is nearly complete. Base and intermediate asphalt pavement have been placed on the western bridge approach at East Stratford Road,and the subgrade on the east side of the bridge is being prepared for upcoming paving work near Vista Circle.
Multi-use Path Lighting of the new EB Lesner Bridge
Over the next two weeks, the bridge contractor will:
· Complete Span #8 of the eastbound bridge and launch the gantry to Span #9;
· Pave the eastern bridge approach and the intersection of Shore Drive and Vista Circle;
· Install falsework for the gantry launch at Pier #9;
· Install the expansion joint at Abutment A (near Lynnhaven Boat Ramps); and
· Continue to install bridge lighting systems.
View Looking West at completed Span #7 (right) of the new EB Lesner Bridge
At this point it looks like we will move the eastbound traffic to the new bridge by the end of August 2018. Once we complete this traffic switch, we will move to the westbound bridge to remove the temporary concrete barriers and fencing in order to build the 10-foot wide multi-use path. We are looking at total project completion by November 2018, including all street lighting and landscaping.
That’s it in a nutshell.
Thank You,
-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
Film “Tidewater” and discussion at Brock
Third in our Conversations about Climate Change Series
June 14, 6:30 – 8:00 PM, Brock Environmental Center“What’s our plan? And how do we become a part of the solution?
We have the knowledge and the technology. How can we export good ideas to the rest
of the world?”The film Tidewater raises all of these issues and more. A terrific film about the challenges and opportunities that confront our region. How do we choose to move forward? Watch a trailer here: https://vimeo.com/213262018
Join us on June 14th to view the film followed by a facilitated discussion. Free and open to all, but please register at Office@LRNow.org or by calling, 757-962-5398.
STR discussed at City Council Informal session plus Virginian-Pilot coverage
View article at Pilotonline.com:
But leaders are making some progress on where to allow the practice, which has been popular for decades in Sandbridge and has recently become more common all over the city through websites like Airbnb.
This week, staff presented five areas in the city where homes could continue to be rented out for less than 30 days – as long as they follow regulations that leaders are still crafting.
Note: Tourism & short term rentals have been part of Virginia Beach culture for decades not only in Sandbridge but also in pretty much every neighborhood near water.
LMW documents from VB FOIA request by OPCL
Ocean Park Civic League asked for all the current docs about the Lesner Municipal Wharf & proposed ideas for it’s use.
Lesner Municipal Wharf FOIA Details from May2018. (30 page PDF)
Documents include:
ACTION ITEMS
1. The COE and DEQ will discuss internally and advise on the appropriate permit process for the modification and extension request.
2. The City/Consultant will reconnect w/COE and DEQ the week of April 9th for direction and clarity on the process.
3. The City/Consultant will expand efforts on the permit modification/extension and incorporate COE/DEQ input, as appropriate, for the next submission.UPDATE
Scharlene Floyd of the COE issued a permit extension on March 30, 2018 to extend the permit effective through May 13, 2022.
The bubbles are potential areas that are proposed to illustrate which neighborhoods might use certain transfer sites.
Route 35 HRT Bus Finder & flyer
Every 30 minutes from Pleasure House Road & Shore Drive to Rudee Inlet !
Click to visit HRT Bus Finder.
Click to visit official HRT Route 35 flyer.
Bayfront # 35 2017 Archive Page
From our original Bayfront # 35 page:
Archive below
Take Route 35 this summer?
October 1st ’17 was last day for this year.
We’re looking to help Virginia Beach & HRT expand it in ’18.Please Subscribe to The Advocate to stay up to date on news about Route 35 & all things Shore Drive.
Bayfront Shuttle Route 35 – Starting May 22, 2017, ride the VB Wave from the Virginia Beach Oceanfront to First Landing State Park, the North End beaches, and all the wonderful Bayfront restaurants on Shore Drive. From May 22 through Labor Day, VB Wave shuttles will run every 45 minutes from 8:00 a.m. to Midnight every day. Then from September 8 through October 1, VB Wave shuttle service will run from 8:00 a.m. to Midnight, but only on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
This new shuttle route is a test run and will only become permanent if the ridership can support it. The test route was supported by the Shore Drive Community Coalition, First Landing State Park, Bayfront Advisory Committee, Resort Advisory Committee and the City Council. It has the potential to reduce parking problems along Shore Drive as well as at the Oceanfront. Locals can attend summer events and tourists can visit Shore Drive establishments without having to take a car and find parking which we all know is at a premium during the summer season.
It is our understanding that a quota of 10 trips per hour average is what will be needed to make the shuttle a permanent service. With a 16 hour service, that converts to 160 trips per day. So if you like the idea of this route, please use it and tell all your friends to use it also.
In an effort to help make riding this route as easy and stress-free as possible, volunteers have gathered and created the following documents. The information on these documents may not be 100% correct, but what do you want for free labor :)
If you have any comments regarding these documents or the shuttle service, please send an email to Todd Solomon at todd@sdcc.info
Route 35 – List of Stops in Table Format – This document lists all the stops on the route. Helpful details to know – Outbound = Artic/19th to Vista Circle to First Landing. Inbound = First Landing to Artic/19th Route 35 Stops and Times Rev.1
Route 35 – Map of Route – This map shows stops but doesn’t label all of them. Route 35 Bayfront Shuttle 2017 Map with Stops
Timetable for Shore Drive to Oceanfront Travel – This is the best image to use if you are traveling from Shore Drive to the Oceanfront. It will help you determine an estimated time to arrive at a stop to catch the bus to the oceanfront. You can also print the image below by Clicking Here
Fares to ride the new shuttle will cost the same as the current VB Wave route. $2.00 per normal trip. You can also purchase one day unlimited ride passes for $4.00, 3-Day passes for $8.00 and 7-Day passes for $20.00. Multi-ride passes can be purchased at 7-11 on Shore Drive & Red Tide or at Farm Fresh on Great Neck Road (go to the information counter to purchase). The clock on the multi-ride pass starts the day you first use it. So you can purchase them ahead of time or as gifts and they will not expire prior to use.
Additional information regarding HRT and how to ride can be found at www.gohrt.com
New Baylines issue includes Route 35 updates!
May Baylines 2018 (5 page PDF)
Shuttle Route 35 debuts May 20
A shuttle-bus linking the Bayfront and Oceanfront, with service every 30 minutes, launches Sunday, May 20. This represents an expansion of last summer’s pilot service, both in distance and frequency.
Fares are $2 each way for adults, $1 for seniors age 65+ and free for children under age 17 with a paying adult. Under 17 without a paying adult may ride for $1. Day passes, allowing unlimited rides on the route, sell for $4.50 for adults, $2.25 for seniors age 65+. Three-day, half-fare passes are also available.
Advance passes may be purchased at the following retail locations:
• Sunsations at 500, 812,1116, 1400, 2300, 2500, 3020 and 3300 Atlantic Avenue
• Virginia Gift Shop at 702, 1706 and 2412 Atlantic Avenue.
• Sports Alley at 2900 Atlantic Avenue
• Virginia Beach Visitors Bureau at 2100 Parks Avenue
• First Landing State Park Campground Visitor’s Center at 2500 Shore Drive and
• Virginia Beach Resort Hotel and Conference Center at 2800 Shore Drive
Exact-change fares can be paid at each shuttle stop.“This is a great opportunity for residents to get to the Oceanfront” as well as for Oceanfront residents and visitors to sample Bayfront attractions, said Kal Kassir, chairman of the Bayfront Advisory Commission.
Last year’s pilot program stretched only between the Lesner Bridge and 19th Street and ran every 45 minutes. Ridership was high enough that the city and Hampton Roads Transit agreed to make it a permanent summertime route. Shortening the gap between buses to every 30 minutes and extending the route to allow passengers to connect more easily with other HRT routes should increase ridership, officials have said.
Route 35 will run daily through Labor Day. From Sept. 7-30, the bus will run Friday-Sunday only.
Congratulations to Mayor Louis Jones and Vice Mayor James Wood !
On Tuesday, the City Council voted 9-0 to appoint Louis Jones as acting mayor until a special election is held Nov. 6.
Vice Mayor Wood was also selected unanimously.
Hooray for Shore Drive community!
Learn more about Mayor Jones & Vice Mayor Wood at VBGov.com.
The eastbound 3600 block of Shore Drive near the intersection of Dinwiddie Road has been reduced to one lane for emergency water main repairs.
Emergency Water Main Repair Affecting Shore Drive
Wednesday, April 25, 2018
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (April 25, 2018) — The eastbound 3600 block of Shore Drive near the intersection of Dinwiddie Road has been reduced to one lane for emergency water main repairs. Warning signs are posted advising motorists of the utility work. Motorists are strongly encouraged to seek alternative routes.Water service has been interrupted for some customers in the immediate service area. For additional information, please contact Robert Wheeler with Virginia Beach Public Utilities at 757-621-6072.
A 16″ water main apparently broke about 1255am.
From Pilot article:
There was a 16-inch water line break, said Robert Wheeler with the city’s public utilities department. He said they don’t know what caused it.
Water service has been intrrupted for some customers in the immediate area.
Drivers in the area are encouraged to seek alternative routes.
It’s expected to take five to six hours to repair, Wheeler said.
How to Share Your Feedback and Review Budget Details City Council will vote on the budget on May 15; here are ways you can get more information and provide feedback.
How to Share Your Feedback and Review Budget Details at VBGov.com.
Watch Budget Presentations Online:
City Council will vote on the FY2018-19 Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Program during the May 15 meeting at 6 p.m. in City Council Chambers (2401 Courthouse Drive).
Start here to review current budget proposals at VBGov.com.
Click graphic to visit VBGov.com.
Familiar with Seaview Beach & Amusement Park ?
This website and corresponding research paper were funded with a 2017 Research Grant from the Virginia Beach Historic Preservation Commission.
The website and research paper includes fascinating details and photos from yesteryear.
Start here to view the fascinating story.
In 1947, Life Magazine published a photo essay on Seaview Beach calling it “Virginia’s best-known Negro resort.” The magazine reported that up to 10,000 tourists visited the beach on the weekends. Images showed well-to-do African-American professionals enjoying social life at the beach and adjacent amusement park.1This was contrary to much of the negative media coverage of African Americans at the time and casts a light on a hidden upper-class population in Virginia.
An announcement is expected today at 11 a.m. at City Hall.
Will Sessoms is set to announce Wednesday that he will resign as Virginia Beach mayor to take a position with the Northam administration, sources said
13 News Now reporting.
#WeLoveShoreDrive 