Category Archives: Current Concerns

PUBLIC WORKS PROJECT UPDATE FOR BAC

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Jeremy can not attend so here is his report from an email:

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I have a conflict and can’t make the meeting today. I’m working with the city engineer on a project spreadsheet, I’ll keep you posted. Here are the updates from the PW side.

Chesapeake Beach Renourishment
Status

A contract has been awarded to Seaward Marine Corporation.

Work is underway and is to be completed by October 13, 2024.

Lynnhaven Inlet Dredging and Cape Henry Beach Placement
Status

USACE opened bids on April 3rd.

The work includes dredging the federal channel system, removing underwater debris, and placing the sand along Cape Henry Beach.

USACE intends to award the contract to Cottrell Dredging located in Norfolk, Va.

The most recent update from USACE indicated a pre-construction meeting and issuance of a Notice to Proceed sometime between late July and early August. From that point, Cottrell is required to submit a schedule within 15 days after NTP is issued.

Eastern Branch Lynnhaven River (EBLR) Dredging
Status

The City’s ongoing dredging project of the EBLR is going well with the contractor scheduled to complete Keeling Drain dredging this summer.

Crab Creek/Long Creek
Status

The next dredging cycle is being planned for winter 2024/2025.

Pleasure House Point Trail Breach
Status

Work has been completed to construct an elevated crossing over a flood-prone area.

These improvements will make the path more accessible after heavy rain events.

Comprehensive Safety Action Plan
Status

A draft of the City’s first Comprehensive Local Road Safety Action Plan will be publicly available for review and comment in August. The Plan identifies and prioritizes countermeasures to address roadway safety issues throughout Virginia Beach. Stakeholders, including members of the Bayfront Advisory Commission, were briefed on the Plan on March 22nd and provided feedback to staff on current safety challenges. Public Works Engineering staff will brief City Council on the Draft Plan on August 27th, and the Plan is anticipated to be adopted in September or October.

Lake Bradford / Chubb Lake projects

We typically do not provide updates to the BAC, but since the BAC provided support letters for the BRIC grant, we thought an update was needed.

Lake Pleasure House Outfall – construction complete
Lake Bradford Ditch Dredging – construction complete
Lake Bradford-Chubb Lake Stormwater Pump Station and Outfall

STATUS

The city is currently in the process of selecting a Design-Build team. The expected selection will take place in the first quarter of 2025.

The city applied for a Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Grant worth $35 million, but unfortunately, was not successful in receiving it.

Church Point-Thoroughgood BMP and Drainage Improvement – The City awarded the design contract to RK&K. Anticipated construction is in 2028.
STATUS

Design NTP – May 21, 2024

SCHEDULE

Advertise for Bids: February 2028

Estimated Construction Start Date: August 2028

Estimated Construction Completion: May 2031

Eastern Shore Drive Drainage Improvement Projects

Cape Henry Canal Phase II – Relocation of Sanitary Sewer Gravity Mains, 1C.2
The project was completed on October 2, 2023. The project was on time and Under Budget by $185,682.

Eastern Shore Drainage Improvements Phase I – Section I – $35.9M Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Grant Projects:

Eastern Shore Drive – Lynnhaven Colony Park Pump Station, 1B
Cape Henry Canal Phase II – Widening and Deeping, 1C.2
Eastern Shore Drive – Lynnhaven Drive Pump Station, 1D
Eastern Shore Drive – Elevate Lynnhaven Drive, 1E

STATUS

90% Design Completed January 2024 Project #1-3.

60% Design Completed March 2024 Project #4.

SCHEDULE

100% Design Submittal for all 4 projects – August 2024

Advertise for Bids: January 2025

Estimated Construction Start Date: May 2025

Estimated Construction Completion: May 2028

Eastern Shore Drive – Vista Circle Pump Station, 1A
STATUS

PER Completed. Project detailed design has not begun.

SCHEDULE

Advertise for Bids: October 2026

Estimated Construction Start Date: April 2027

Estimated Construction Completion: December 2029

Eastern Shore Drive – Poinciana Pump Station
STATUS

60% Design Submittal Received and compiling City and Peer Review Comments

SCHEDULE

Advertise for Bids: April 2025

Estimated Construction Start Date: August 2025

Estimated Construction Completion: May 2028

Eastern Shore Drive – North Shore Drive Street Drainage Improvements, 1F & Eastern Shore Drive – Cape Henry Drive Street Drainage Improvements, 1G
STATUS

60% Design Submittal Received March 2024

SCHEDULE

Advertise for Bids: June 2025

Estimated Construction Start Date: September 2025

Estimated Construction Completion: June 2027

Shore Drive Corridor Improvements Phase III
STATUS

No change. Real estate acquisition and private utility relocations are underway.

SCHEDULE

Advertise for Bids: September 2024

Estimated Construction Start Date: January 2025

Estimated Construction Completion: July 2028

Shore Drive Pedestrian Improvements
STATUS

90% Design Submittal Received July 2, 2024

SCHEDULE

Advertise for Bids: June 2025

Estimated Construction Start Date: October 2025

Estimated Construction Completion: April 2026

Shore Drive Corridor Improvements Phase IV
STATUS

No change. Final Preliminary Engineering Report received 11/15/2023. The project is not funded

Jeremy Kline

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

Deputy Director

757.385.8420 | jekline@vbgov.com

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New bridge on PHP. In my estimation, based on 20 years of experience, potentially 4 to 7 more bridges before 2034 will be needed or choices made to leave sea level rise take over. Educational opportunities!

Local Road Safety Action Plan. Take a survey to improve safety!

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The new action plan by City.

1 example slide.

START HERE TO TAKE THE NEW SURVEY. (opens in new tab)

1 of the broken sidewalks on Bayfront.
City can improve internal procedures to improve Public Safety.

Some press at 13NewNow story:

Virginia Beach officials outline plans to improve road safety

After many accidents involving pedestrians, the city is working to improve pedestrian safety.

BAC Thursday MAR 21 330pm at OPVRS. Join us!

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BAC, the Bayfront Advisory Commission meets at OPVRS, the Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Thursday February 15th at 330pm. Join us!

OPVRS is located at 3769 E Stratford Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23455.

Enter door opposite Shore Drive.

Preserve buildings & live oaks and use as an event space?
3-21-24 BAC Meeting Package.pdfDownload

Phase 3 & Cape Henry beach replenishment updates

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Public Works’ Jeremy Kline updates regarding Shore Drive Phase 3 and Cape Henry dredging/beach replenishment:

  1. Shore Drive Corridor Improvements Phase III
  • Real estate acquisition and private utility relocations are underway
  • Construction is scheduled to begin by the end of the year
  1. Cape Henry dredging plan/beach replenishment
  • USACE is forecasting a solicitation as early as the end of February.
  • Contract award expected in April with an NTP in May.
  • These dates are subject to change if the solicitation is not posted by the end of the month

View CIP in new tool here. Sorry can’t link directly to individual CIPs. Phase 3 is CIP #100381.

Be careful walking & running here folks.

Refresher on Bayfront documents including various planning, studies & guidelines.

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Thanks Hank!

I’ve attached the 1997 ULI Study and the text from Zoning Ordinance pertaining to the Shore Drive Corridor Overlay District. Below are links to the following:

Comprehensive Plan (Section 1.3 – Suburban Area; Page 1-69 – Suburban Focus Area 1:

Shore Drive Corridor: https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/virginia-beach-departments-docs/planning/Comprehensive-Plan/Adopted/Comp-Plan-2016_policy-doc.pdf

Shore Drive Corridor Plan:

Click to access Shore_Drive_Corridor_Plan_2000.pdf

Shore Drive Design Guidelines:

Click to access Shore_Drive_Corridor_Design_Guidelines_2002.pdf

Commercial Area Pattern Book:

Click to access Commercial-Area-Pattern-Book.pdf

Active Transportation Plan:

Click to access Active-Transportation-Plan.pdf

I believe this covers the current applicable documents with guidance on the Shore Drive Corridor, but if there are other documents that I may have missed in regards to the Shore Drive/Bayfront area, please let me know and I will be happy to pass them along as well.

Thanks,

Hank

Article 17 Zoning Ordinance Shore Drive Corridor Overlay.pdfDownload
ULI BAYFRONT STUDY 1997.pdfDownload
Incredible Lesner Bridge 🤩

2024 srsly 🙄

Can you help ID who trashed an area off Greenwell Road in Bayville Park?

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Can you ID?
Can you ID?
Apparently they trashed this area Sunday about 5pm-530pm.

BAC Thursday FEB 15 330pm at OPVRS. Join us!

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BAC, the Bayfront Advisory Commission meets at OPVRS, the Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Thursday February 15th at 330pm. Join us!

OPVRS is located at 3769 E Stratford Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23455.

Enter door opposite Shore Drive.

2-15-24 BAC Meeting Package.pdfDownload
After a terrifying few months for pedestrians & cyclists, some love! 👍🏽

Hooray for finally some pedestrian love at Shore Drive & Pleasure House Road!

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Sincerely hope this never happens again in the entire city!!

Depending on a miracle that no pedestrians or cyclists would get killed by blocking their only safe access is completely unacceptable & unconscionable.

Does City of VB hates pedestrians & cyclists?

“The purpose of the Complete Streets Policy is to improve Virginia Beach’s transportation system by providing safe, attractive travel options for all users that emphasize connectivity and are designed in harmony with adjacent land uses.”

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Learn about Complete Streets adopted by City at their website.

Pleasure House Road & Shore Drive.

But Complete Streets adoption are for:

“This policy will ensure that all users are considered during the design and construction of new roadways” you say.

Ok, ok… what about the unanimously adopted by City Council Shore Drive Safety Task Force recommendations of 2006 then?

The point?

How is it possible, again, safety for residents & users of Bayfront infrastructure for pedestrian & cycling safety is ignored by the City?!

It’s a MIRACLE no pedestrians or cyclists have been killed here yet.

Hopefully there’ll be an update soon as to:

1. How this could possibly happen?!

1. How will this never happen again?

1. What time is this getting fixed yesterday to improve the safety for pedestrians and cyclists?

This completely unacceptable pedestrian & cyclist “infrastructure” has been blocked for months. Many many human beings depend on a safe area right here every day.

Pleasure House Road Phase I & II Improvements public comment period extended to December 29th!

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Let ‘em know – start here!

Potentially in the future.

Reality today.

“I am speaking on behalf of my community that we oppose the closing of the public beach access at the end of Starfish Road for many reasons: First: a public right-of-way should only be closed when there is no other alternative. Westminster has admitted that they do have a plan that would not involve closing the access…”

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My name is Lisa Leidig and I am the president of the Lynnshore Condominium HOA. I am travelling on business and will unfortunately not able to attend the vote on Tuesday. I am speaking on behalf of my community that we oppose the closing of the public beach access at the end of Starfish Road for many reasons:

First: a public right-of-way should only be closed when there is no other alternative. Westminster has admitted that they do have a plan that would not involve closing the access. Since this is the case, this should be an easy decision to make – deny the request. You should not have to decide who is more important – the public or residents of Westminster and who is going to be inconvenienced. The only reason that Westminster wants to close the public beach access is that a handful of people expressed concern about walking through a parking garage. I am sure that Westminster has a contingency plan to protect the residents and prevent public access to their buildings. So is it better to inconvenience the thousands of people that use the Starfish beach access to accommodate a few people by making them walk through a garage? Why is it constantly ok to impact the public and residents but not Westminster?

Second: With the pier remaining, there is a problem when we have persistent northeast winds or a storm off our coast – the winds push the waves up to the point that during the periods around high tide (2 hours before and after) the beach west of the pier is inaccessible due to the water rising and being pushed up past the fencing under the pier. This has happened 5 times this year since September (once this past week) and even resulted in significant dune loss in front of Casa de Playa.

Third: Perception. Closing this access provides the perception that the beach in front of Westminster’s property is now private. I have had conversations with residents of Westminster and they stated that they “couldn’t wait until the beach is private and THOSE people (pointing to fisherman/crabbers) won’t be able to come down here anymore”. WC is also leaving the stairs from the bulkhead to the beach, further cementing the perception that the beach is now private. Surf Rider foundation advocates that public beach access remain public – https://www.surfrider.org/pages/policy-on-beach-access – excerpts such as “Development must not be allowed to interfere with public access”, “The public should be afforded full and fair access to beaches which are public trust resources by minimizing the possibility of impediment including development”, “Should not be burdensome for the potential beachgoer to utilize”.

Fourth: Ben Unkle has said that this new beach access is more convenient to “everyone”. That is simply not true. Anyone that lives on Starfish road – the access is more inconvenient. For anyone riding HRT route 35 which drops off in front of Westminster, this is not more convenient. For anyone wanting to access the beach and are crossing Shore Drive at a crosswalk (there are two – one at Starfish, the other at Great Neck) – this is not convenient. For anyone wanting to sit west of the fishing pier, this is not convenient. Ben Unkle has also said that the beach access bisects Westminster property – while that is now a correct statement, the access was in existance long before they bought the properties. Westminster took a chance by buying these properties with full knowledge of the public access. Do not punish the public for a risky venture made by Westminster.

Fifth: The sidewalk on the south side of Ocean Shore and Starfish Road is almost impassible. It has not been maintained for years and the sidewalk is blocked by shrubs and growth. The City had also just spent public dollars to repair the beach access at Starfish road so those improvements are wasted money if you allow the access to close and be torn up.

In closing – this should be an easy decision to make as Westminster has a plan to work around the public beach access. Deny the request and keep our beach access public and open.

Sincerely,

Lisa Leidig
President, Lynnshore Condominiums
xxxx Starfish Road
757-xxx-xxxx

Click for entire WCCB Survey Summary Results

PLEASE CONTACT THE MAYOR & YOUR ELECTED OFFICIAL NOW IN SUPPORT OF …

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[T]he City is set to realize about $20MM in proceeds from the sale of easements to Dominion Energy for their Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Project, and Staff is recommending that nearly half of those proceeds be appropriated to Shore Drive Phase IV ($6.98MM) and to Pleasure House Road Phase II ($1.36MM) & Shore Drive Phase III ($ 2.24MM).

Please email Mayor & City Council to support this vital funding: citycouncil@vbgov.com

City Council vote is on November 21st 2023.

Shore Drive Phase IV

Pleasure House Road Phase II

Shore Drive Phase III

”Data shows the city has the most crashes involving PEDESTRIANS in all of Hampton Roads”

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View coverage at 13NewsNow.com.

Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles data shows just this year, there were three pedestrian-involved crashes on Shore Drive, one of which ended with a fatality.
“I hope that we actually see some action on these throughout the city… because safety is the biggest priority, I think within all of our communities,” Murphy said.

Please take the Local Road Safety Action Plan SURVEY now!

Some dangerous choices pedestrians get to make navigating this. How is blocking safe pedestrians access approriate!?

That blockade to pedestrians & cyclists to safely navigate is at southeast corner of Shore Drive & Pleasure House Road where there is NO contiguous sidewalks on north side of Shore Drive. Minimum of dozens of pedestrians & cyclists commute through this area daily.

City Council November 14 ‘23 Formal session including controversial Public Hearing about WCCB request to vacate a public easement.

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Additional public hearing plus vote on vacating easement currently scheduled for November 21st ‘23 City Council session.

“I’m for that, but I’m not for what the applicant wants to do with the property: filling in the lakes.”

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Maybe redeveloping lakes is not smart or sustainable way for a City that will be dramatically impacted by sea level rise(SLR) and attempting to keep its currently stellar bond rating & logical story telling for rating agencies.

A downgrade by ratings agencies would obviously increase interest costs for tax payers.

View coverage at WTKR.

Learn more at SaveLakeConrad.com including a link to Petition to stop this insanity. Join thousands who have signed the Petition.

Learn more about realities of sea level rise by starting at our SLR Resources page.

A speculator wants to redevelop a lake. A LAKE! How this idea has gotten so far is mind boggling.

Maybe only redevelopment NOT in City storm water management facilities and lakes is more intelligent considering we’re 2nd in the country for impacts from SLR.

Potentially great news about more monies for vital Bayfront projects!

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From Councilman Schulman:

Good afternoon,

You are receiving this message because you are a civic league or HOA president in a neighborhood in close proximity to Shore Drive in District 9.

As you may recall, due to inflation, supply and labor challenges, stormwater requirements, and other factors, the estimated cost to complete the projects in our Capital Improvement Program grew by nearly $180MM as the Council considered the 2023-2024 Budget. Consequently, the Council made the difficult decision to delay/defer several roadway projects, including Shore Drive Phase IV (Marlin Bay Drive to the Lesner Bridge) and Pleasure House Road Phase II (Shore Drive to Lookout Road). Money that was originally budgeted for these projects was redirected to other projects (like Shore Drive Phase III, to the east of the Lesner Bridge) in order to lessen the impact of additional cost escalations, because they were closer-in-time to construction.

Over the last 7 months, I’ve been working with City Staff to impress upon them the importance of these projects to our residents – and I’ve been challenging them to find ways to re-resource these projects so that they do not slip further away from us in both time and projected cost.

Thankfully, the City is set to realize about $20MM in proceeds from the sale of easements to Dominion Energy for their Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Project, and Staff is recommending that nearly half of those proceeds be appropriated to Shore Drive Phase IV ($6.98MM) and to Pleasure House Road Phase II ($1.36MM). Although we still have a ways to go to get these projects fully-funded, this is a very significant development because it gets us back on track after the setback we experienced earlier this year. We are also working on some interim pedestrian safety improvements along Shore Drive that are meant to last until Phase IV is constructed. These funds will help with this initiative as well.

The reason I am contacting you is because the appropriation of these sale proceeds requires the passage of an ordinance with the affirmative vote of a majority of the Council. There will be a public hearing about the appropriation of these funds tomorrow night at 6pm during our City Council’s formal session. The Council will vote on the ordinance and the appropriations at our November 21st meeting.

While I do not think we need speakers at the public hearing or for the vote on the 21st, I think it would be extremely helpful if your organizations would consider sending a letter to the Council supporting the ordinance and the appropriations made therein. You can feel free to send a letter on your organization’s letterhead, and you can also encourage your residents to email the Council at citycouncil@vbgov.com to voice their individual support. Additionally, if you have relationships with other members of the Council, I would encourage you to express your support to them as well.

A copy of the public hearing notice, some background information and the ordinance itself are attached for your reference.

If you have any questions, or require additional information, please let me know.

Thank you!

Joash

Joashua F. “Joash” Schulman
VIRGINIA BEACH CITY COUNCIL
District 9 Representative

C: 757-840-1291 | JSchulman@vbgov.com
http://www.virginiabeach.gov

Bldg. 1, Suite 2047
2401 Courthouse Dr. | Virginia Beach, VA 23456

Note: Emphasis ours.

Public Mtg Notice-Ordinance-Backup.pdfDownload
No sidewalks on Pleasure House Road is unsafe, dangerous & very challenging to navigate for pedestrians & the businesses they serve.

Local Road Safety Action Plan. Community participation and input will be vital to the success of this plan so we encourage you to get engaged and promote awareness of the plan.

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City is looking for feedback from YOU about road safety.

Start here to learn more & take the interactive survey.

Additional documents for BAC meeting Thursday Oct 19th 330pm at OPVRS.

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Pages from WB-September-2023-Staff-Report.pdfDownload

Some of you might recognize this design.

OPVRS = Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad located at 3769 E Stratford Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23455.

Please enter door opposite Shore Drive.

BAYFRONT ADVISORY COMMISSION meeting at Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad October 19, 2023 330pm. Join us!

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Thanks to Hank for the Agenda!

10-19-23 BAC Meeting Package.pdfDownload

NEW BUSINESS
1) Proposed HRT Transportation Service Plan (TSP) for FY25 – Proposed service
adjustments for Bayfront HRT lines and requested changes for Route 35 Trolley.

2040 Comprehensive Plan Update – November Public Workshops. Join us!

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The Public Workshops will consist of a short recap presentation on themes developed in the Focus Groups and the Vision Mapping process. We will then proceed to break out into small groups to provide more direct, specific feedback on each of the draft themes. The Vision Map will take the draft themes of balanced growth, sustainability, connectivity, diversity, and wellbeing, and apply them to areas of the city to create a framework of how the city should grow and develop over time. There will be an interactive planning exercise in our small groups.

The workshops will be held at these times and locations:

  • Saturday, November 4th at 2pm: College Park Elementary School Cafeteria – 1110 Bennington Road
  • Monday, November 6th at 6pm: Kellam High School Cafeteria – 2665 West Neck Road
  • Wednesday, November 8th at 6pm: Bayside Recreation Center – 4500 First Court Road
  • Thursday, November 9th at 6pm: Virginia Beach Convention Center, Suite 3 (2nd Floor; Middle of the Building) – 1009 19th Street

There is no need to RSVP to these workshops. We estimate this meeting to run about 1.5 to 2 hours. Please pass along the information to your friends, family, neighborhoods, colleagues, youth groups, civic leagues, faith groups, etc.

The more engagement we have from the community in this process, the better the plan will be! City Staff and the Consultant Team are eager to hear from as many residents as possible, so we hope to see you there!

Here’s where we are so far.

Focus-Group-Presentation-–-DRAFT-Themes-and-Vision-Map.pdf
Download
Join the next meetings or Comment below!

As always, for more information or if you have any outstanding questions, please reach out to me at RacMiller@vbgov.com or Hank Morrison, the Comprehensive Planning Administrator, at JMorrison@vbgov.com.

You are aware about the reality of sea level rise(SLR) correct?

Link to ODU SLR tool map shared above.

Sea Level Wise at City of VB.