Author Archives: Tim

You, the community, are invited to a meeting Tuesday May 23rd at 4pm at Brock re: parking lot idea ON PHP.

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Statement from Parks & Rec printed with permission:

“Parks and Rec has requested to have a tree inventory and survey completed of the construction entrance/parking lot area so amore environmentally sensitive parking area can be designed to accommodate 2 to 3 ADA compliant parking spaces and provide adequate space for a couple of vehicles to temporarily park to off load equipment then pull out onto the on street parking.

This parking area will be constructed at the end of the wetlands restoration project and utilize some of the area used for the construction ingress/egress into the wetlands project area.

The tree survey and inventory will also provide information needed for tree protection measures that will need to be put in place prior to and maintained during the wetlands mitigation project.”

Links to various info about Pleasure House Point on this website located here.

History of preservation of PHP back to 2003 is located on this website.

Brief highlights of the community’s involvement with preservation of Pleasure House Point 2001 – 2012:

  • Approximately $150,000 – $200,000 worth of consulting time was donated to efforts.
  • Those efforts resulted in the most recent real estate speculator to receive exactly 0 required permits.
  • The enforcement of the applicable laws & regulations governing wetlands, buffer, zoning etc reduced the perceived value of PHP & allowed the partners to purchase her for approximately $16.6M discount.

    • From VBGov.com/PHP:

    This high-profile property was once being considered for a large waterfront development, but with the help of The Trust for Public Land, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the surrounding community, the City has preserved one of the largest undeveloped parcels of land on the Lynnhaven River for generations to come.

    The community has been a vital part of Pleasure House Point for years and looks forward to continued participation with all the stakeholders going forward.

    About community engagement at this website from July ’14.

    correct link: https://weloveshoredrive.com/2014/07/24/the-pleasure-house-point-natural-area-represents-a-unique-opportunity-to-showcase-the-beauty-and-function-of-a-coastal-eco-system-in-the-midst-of-the-highly-developed-waterfront-community-in-the-bay/

    It’s official: “Item 6, Maurice M. Newton & et al – Shore Drive/Woodlawn Ave – GPIN 14891888970000 – Bayside, will be withdrawn at the May 22, 2017 Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area (CBPA) Board Public Hearing.”

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    Per email from Mr PJ Scully, PLA for COVB CBPA.

    New drawings, link to Joint Permit Application & additional docs re: proposed CCW on Pleasure House Creek

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    Link to VMRC website for Application #20151622 CCW DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATES, LLC

    Note: Due to timing of May 22nd ’17 CBPA Hearing Date and no presentation made by applicant to Shore Drive Community Coalition, SDCC has not taken a vote on what action to take in response to this proposal.

    First Public Presentation of CCW on Pleasure House Creek is this Thursday May 18th ’17 Bayfront Advisory Committee Meeting at Resort & Conference Center 2800 Shore Drive. Meeting starts at 3pm.

    “Virginia Beach plans to clear trees at a trailhead near the corner of Mystic Cove and Marlin Bay drives to make room for a 16-space parking lot, walkways and kayak launch.”

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    Recent press about the proposed parking lot in Pleasure House Point Natural Area.

    View article, photos and comment at Pilotonline.com:

    City officials told residents about the plan May 4 at the Ocean Park Civic League meeting. Ocean Park borders Pleasure House Point.

    Some residents think it’s hypocritical of the city to buy the land for conservation and then destroy part of it.

    Video at 13NewNow.com:

    Right now plans include a kayak launch, a pedestrian bridge, more trails, and of course the parking lot. Past drawings of the site included bathrooms and lights, but right now the city says the money just isn’t there. Julie Braley with Parks and Recreation says there are some misconceptions with the project.

    Learn more at SDCC.info/pleasure-house-point about Stakeholder Meetings, links to adopted Management Plan and more.

    This website is also a public record including documentation, news and more about Pleasure House Point since 2003.

    Pleasure House Point Mitigation plan to create wetlands includes parking lot on PHP.

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    Trees will be cut down on Pleasure House Point for the current plan that was presented this past Thursday at Ocean Park Civic League’s meeting in Brock.

    The $3M CIP is published here.

    Note: We’ve been trying to get all the detailed plans to share. Stay tuned.

    “I think we have been under the radar for years without a lot of attention,” Lundgren said of the frequent flooding on Lauderdale Avenue. “I don’t think people realize how severe the flooding is over here. We have been forgotten.”

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    View article at Pilotonline.com including more photos:

    When council votes on its budget Tuesday, it will likely vote to give $1 million more per year to address flooding issues. But the extra cash won’t go . . .

    “Are you seeking or have you already obtained permits from other Local, State or Federal agencies in conjunction with this application? If yes, please describe: Yes, VMRC, DEQ, & Army Corps of Engineers, Regional General Permit for non-tidal wetlands impact”

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    “Are you seeking or have you already obtained permits from other Local, State or Federal agencies in conjunction with this application?
    If yes, please describe: Yes, VMRC, DEQ, & Army Corps of Engineers, Regional General Permit for non-tidal wetlands impact”

    View & download 215-0033 Shore Drive_Commercial Site Plan (Revised 02-08-2017 Letter). (PDF)

    View and download WATER QUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT (WQIA) FORM-0033 Shore Drive_WQIA (PDF)

    October 24th ’16 CCW Application for CBPA (11pg PDF)
    Note: this might not be accurate for May 22nd ’17 CBPA Hearing as their appears to be revised plans that are not yet available.

    Official Chesapeake Bay Preservation Board at VBGov.com.

    The Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Board agenda is listed for the upcoming public hearing as it becomes available, usually two to three weeks prior to hearing.

    Previously at SDCC.info.

    HEARING MAY 22nd 10am CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS

      Virginia Beach Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Board will hold a Public Hearing on Monday, May 22, 2017, at 10:00 a.m., in the Council Chambers City Hall Bldg.

      The informal session to brief the Board will be held at 9:00 a.m. If you are physically disabled, visually impaired and need assistance at this meeting, please call the Planning Dept. at (757)385-4621.

    “What comments do you have regarding Housing and Neighborhood Preservation’s proposed 2017-2018 Annual Action Plan?”

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    May 6th DEADLINE !

    Remember – anonymous comments are not counted.

    Start at Official City of Virginia Beach Virtual Town Hall to offer your Feedback.

    May Baylines from Bayfront Advisory Committee

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    View May Baylines. (PDF)

    Times have shifted for the Bayfront Advisory Commission’s special Outreach ’17 special community input initiative. The public meeting will still follow the BAC’s regular May 18 meeting. But the time has been shifted to 4:30 to 6 p.m. to accommodate extra items on the regular meeting agenda.

    And:

    City Council has appointed Capt. Joey Frantzen, commanding officer of the JEB Little Creek-Fort Story as ex-officio member of the Bayfront Advisory Commission.

    #LESNERBRIDGE update includes more about The Canoes at Lesner Bridge in Ocean Park

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    Update from email includes the comedy you expect:

    Bridge Insiders:

    Kingfish is bubbling over with all kinds of news, including the latest on the sculpture for the bridge that was just announced (picture included) and the latest inside scoop on falsework: “ . . . falsework is being constructed as a mirror image of the temporary steel falsework that the yellow gantry is now supported on and located on the north side of the bridge. Once this falsework is complete, plans will be made to place two steel girders across Shore Drive (and the new bridge) to connect both sets of falsework.”

    If you’re a “falsework” junkie, you’re about to fall in love . . . .
    As always, there are a lot of good things going with the project now, and you get the first peek. We appreciate your questions and e-mails, so please don’t hesitate to contact us.
    As a reminder, 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 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. Please feel free to pass this along to others.

    As I said, feel free to let Chris or me know if you have any questions or need more information.

    Thanks again for all of your interest and patience throughout this project. So . . . stay drive, look out for each other, and put the phone down while you’re driving.

    Drew Lankford
    Media and Communications
    Department of Public Works
    City of Virginia Beach

    dlankfor@vbgov.com
    (O) 757.385.8062
    (C) 757.409.4353

    Folks:

    Foundation work for the new eastbound Lesner Bridge is progressing as scheduled and the contractor is now installing the drilled shaft foundations in Pier #3, the first water pier for the eastbound bridge.

    But before we get into the details of the bridge construction, I want to point out one feature of the eastbound bridge that is not present in the westbound bridge – the Scenic Overlook. This overlook will be located on the southwest side of the bridge right across from the Lynnhaven Boat Ramps.

    Scenic Overlook Area Located on the Southwest side of the New Eastbound Lesner Bridge

    The plans show that a cast-in-place concrete planter was to be built within this Scenic Overlook; however, in lieu of this planter the Public Art Virginia Beach Foundation has worked with renowned artist, Donald Lipski, and private donors to provide a unique one-of-a-kind signature sculpture known at The Canoes. This work was presented last Thursday by Mr. Lipski at the Bayfront Advisory Commission meeting. Additional information can be found on the City of Virginia Beach website in the News Center.

    Proposed Sculpture THE CANOES by Donald Lipski

    Back to bridge construction!

    As mentioned earlier, foundation work for the new eastbound bridge is progressing well. Only one more concrete pour remains for the completion of bridge Abutment A (west side of Lynnhaven Inlet), all of the drilled shafts have been installed for bridge piers 1 and 2 and two of the five drilled shafts have already been completed for pier 3.

    Multiple activities are occurring concurrently. As the drilled shafts are being installed, McLean is continuing to install temporary trestle towards the pier 4 location. Footing preparations for pier 1 are ongoing and the construction of the pipe pile falsework between Abutment A and pier 1 is well underway. This falsework is being constructed as a mirror image of the temporary steel falsework that the yellow gantry is now supported on and located on the north side of the bridge. Once this falsework is complete, plans will be made to place two steel girders across Shore Drive (and the new bridge) to connect both sets of falsework. The gantry will then be winched across Shore Drive from north to south and put into position to begin erecting the superstructure of the new eastbound bridge. Stay tuned as more details of this move become available.

    Demolition of the old bridges also continues. The deep main span footings (pier 14 and 15 of the old bridges) are currently being cut and removed from the Lynnhaven Inlet. Most of the accessible piles located west of Federal Channel have been removed. The remaining superstructure of the old bridges located east of the Federal Channel has already been sawcut and is ready for demolition after the gantry is moved.

    AMI, Inc. in Portsmouth, continues to build the superstructure of the new Lesner Bridge. A total of 123 of the 168 segments have been cast for the new eastbound bridge. It is expected that all bridge segments for the eastbound bridge will be cast by August 2017.

    Over the next two weeks, the bridge contractor will:

    · Continue bridge demolition;

    · Install the remaining drilled shaft foundations at Pier #3;

    · Install the concrete seal slab at Pier #4;

    · Place the leveling pad for the new MSE wall along the south side of Shore Drive between East Stratford Street and the new bridge;

    · Continue filling and grading operations at the new bridge abutments;

    · Install the new traffic signal pole and foundation on the southeast corner of Shore Drive and East Stratford Street;

    · Continue installation of the steel falsework between Abutment A and Pier #1 to support the segment assembly gantry crane

    · Grade and place the reinforcing steel for the footing at Pier #1

    That’s it for now. Please drive safely!

    Christopher J. Wojtowicz, PE
    Project 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 designs carved into the canoes take inspiration from the time of the early settlers, including prints on fabrics such as John Smith’s tunic, Lipski said.”

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    More coverage of The Canoes at Lesner Bridge in Ocean Park.

    Check out Pilotonline.com for more.

    The foundation still needs to raise about $100,000 of the $350,000 contract and is accepting donations through its website: vbpublicart.org.

    “New Sculpture to Welcome Visitors to the Rich History of Lynnhaven Inlet”

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    Learn more at VBGov.com about The Canoes at Lesner Bridge in Ocean Park:

    The Canoes, to be located on the southern pedestrian overlook heading east on the new Lesner Bridge on Shore Drive, will usher visitors into the beauty and history of the Chesapeake Bay area. The historic canoe as a medium for the sculpture creates an indelible tie to the waters surrounding it. The Canoes draws on the Bay Area of the 1600s, when seine fishing was a profitable trade on the Lynnhaven shoreline.

    More info about The Canoes at Lesner Bridge in Ocean Park at COVB City Page:

    The Canoes uses ten full-size aluminum canoes, stamped and punched with elaborate lace patterns, a nod to the decorative arts of the early settlers. The canoes are joined at the center in a stylized sunburst, balanced atop a tall arch. It will be lit in the evening by soft LED lights and features a seating area overlooking the bay.

    The Canoes at Lesner Bridge in Ocean Park

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    “What would be spectacular to see in any circumstance?”

    26′ wide by 46′ tall. LED lighting, possibly aircraft aluminum.

    Bayfront Advisory Committee and Public Art VB has been working on this.

    Now it’s up to you to help too!

    Get your fund raising thinking caps on.

    It’s spectacular.

    Mr. Lipski’s work at his website.

    Boat mechanic airlifted with injuries from boat fire in Cape Henry Shores

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    News at WAVY.com.

    Firefighters were called to the 2100 block of E. Kendall Circle at 3:39 p.m.

    News at WTKR.com.

    After they left the scene crews were called back in minutes for the explosion, fire officials said.

    Photo credit: Courtesy of Virginia Beach Fire Department

    Coverage at Pilotonline.com.

    Shore Drive near First Landing State Park [was] closed until about 5pm.

    Photo Credit: Michael Schmitt

    13NewsNow coverage of new HRT Shuttle Route coming in May

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    View video at 13NewsNow.com.

    “You’d think you’d have a single bus you could just hop on and go to the Oceanfront,” said Todd Solomon with the Shore Drive Community Coalition. “In order to get there, you’ve got to take three different buses.”

    #LESNERBRIDGE update: “…not waiting for the old bridges to be completely removed before beginning construction of the new bridge.”

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    Pulled from official website page at VBGov.com:

    April 6, 2017 Update​
    To All:

    Since the last project update in December much has changed on the Lesner Bridge crossing Lynnhaven Inlet! On the evening of January 17th, 2017 the eastbound lanes of Shore Drive traffic were switched over to the new westbound Lesner Bridge thus completing Phase 3 of 5 on the project and preparing the way for the demolition of the old Lesner Bridges and the construction of the new eastbound Lesner Bridge. Demolition of both old bridges began on January 25th, 2017 and continues today. Contrary to what some folks believed, NO BLASTING will be used to in the demolition of the old bridges. In fact, the decks of the bridges have been strategically cut to allow each beam of each span to be removed individually. Most of the removed beams with attached deck will be transferred to barges for disposal at Cabbage Patch Reef located off the shoreline of Kiptopeke State Park. Some of the removed degraded beams were chosen by Virginia Tech to be saved and transported to Blacksburg for strength testing – but that is another story. The remaining piles of the bridge are cut off 4-feet below the ground surface if they are on land or are vibrated out if they are located within the water.

    ​

    Center Steel Spans of the Old Lesner Bridges Removed

    Pile Removal from Old Lesner Bridge

    Cabbage Patch Reef Located in the Chesapeake Bay

    Barge Loaded with Beam and Deck Sections of the Old Lesner Bridge

    ​
    We are not waiting for the old bridges to be completely removed before beginning construction of the new bridge. All of the foundation piles from bridge abutment A (west side of the Lynnhaven) have been installed and the first of three concrete pours for the footing was completed on 3/28/2017. The four drilled shaft foundations for Pier column #1 were completed today, March 30th and over the weekend crews will move drilling equipment over to the cofferdam already installed for Pier column #2.

    Completed Footing Base at Abutment A

    In summary, the following work has been completed since the last project update (12/21/2016):​
    ​​​

      All Shore Drive traffic moved to the new westbound Lesner Bridge;
      Approximately 40% of the old Lesner Bridges have been demolished;
      All wick drains located at both bridge abutments have been installed;
      All of the remaining piles for Abutment A have been driven;
      The footing for Abutment A has been completed;
      The steel reinforcing for the segment pedestal and backwall at Abutment A has been installed;
      All four drilled shafts for Pier Column #1 have been installed;
      Retaining walls for new sidewalk installed along the southeast corner of East Stratford Street and Shore Drive.

    ​​
    AMI, Inc. in Portsmouth, continues to build the superstructure of the new Lesner Bridge. A total of 102 of the 168 segments have been cast for the new eastbound bridge. It is expected that all bridge segments for the eastbound bridge will be cast by August 2017.​

    Over the next two weeks, the bridge contractor will:
    ​​

      Continue Bridge Demolition;
      Install the drilled shaft foundations at Pier #2;
      Complete the construction of Abutment A;
      Continue filling and grading operations at the new bridge abutments;
      Install the new traffic signal pole and foundation on the southeast corner of Shore Drive and East Stratford Street;​
      Begin excavation for the leveling pad of the new MSE wall along the south side of Shore Drive between East Stratford Street and the new bridge;
      Begin installation of the steel falsework between Abutment A and Pier #1 to support the segment assembly gantry crane.​​

    That’s it for now. P​lease drive safely!

    -Chris

    April Baylines from Bayfront Advisory Committee

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    View April Baylines. (PDF)

    This edition includes info like:

    Years of planning will culminate April 20 when the Public Art Virginia Beach Foundation and artist Donald Lipski unveil the design for the public art creation that will be erected on the southwest side of the new Lesner Bridge at the Bayfront Advisory Committee meeting.

    The meeting, open to the public, will include presentations by Lipski and Foundation Chairman Andy Fine discussing and showing the inspiration behind the artwork. The presentation will take place at the 3:30 p.m. meeting in the Sunset Room of the Virginia Beach Resort Hotel and Conference Center, 2800 Shore Drive.

    The rumor about Lesner Bridge budget cuts are true. Your voices were heard. 

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    (April Fools)

    Because of federal budget cuts rippling through to the state, a deal was made early this morning for COVB to keep some of the monies set aside to complete the Lesner Bridge. 


    One of the ideas is to study if it’s feasible to keep part of the old Lesner Bridge still standing as a public open space pier. 

    (Two engineers we’ve been speaking with feel it should be very doable.) 

    Ultimate plan would be for a public, private partnership to finance the maintenance & operation of Lesner Pier as it might be called. 


    The rest of the saved funds could go to other various projects like upgrading storm water improvements. 

    “How can we make walking and biking better in Virginia Beach?”

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    Let’s do it again Shore Drive!

    (Remember: you MUST sign in to have your voice heard. You do NOT need to share your name publicly. “Off Forum” comments are “not counted”.)
    Start short survey here at VBGov.com’s Virtual Townhall:

    Residents have expressed interest in improving alternatives for people who wish to navigate the city without an automobile. But walking and biking around some areas of Virginia Beach can be difficult. The city is reaching out to citizens for input on how we can make it better.