Category Archives: News

#LESNERBRIDGE update from Project Manager:”July 6th A major milestone will be reached – the placement of the final bridge segment of the EB bridge superstructure . . .”

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From an email:

On Friday, July 6th A major milestone will be reached – the placement of the final bridge segment of the EB bridge superstructure (see email below). Although not as important as opening the bridge to traffic (still anticipated the last week of August), this event does mark the end of all major bridge construction for the project. After that segment is placed and the tendons stressed and grouted, the gantry will be launched ahead to the bridge approach (in front of the VA/MD Pilots Association) and readied for disassembly. Work is already taking place for the disassembly of the loading gantry located in the Lynnhaven Dredge Material Storage Area.

I just wanted to let you all know of this event just in case you wanted to be there Friday morning and view from the sidewalk of the WB Bridge. Right now somewhere between 9:30 AM and 11:00AM looks like about the time they will set that segment.

Hooray!

-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

From: Tom Bettcher [mailto:tbettcher@mcleancontracting.com]
Sent: Thursday, July 5, 2018 3:38 PM
To: Chris J. Wojtowicz
Cc: James P. Hess ; Vincent Smith
Subject: Span 10 Update

Chris,

As of 3:15 this afternoon (Thursday), the crew is working on the 7th of 13 total joints in Span 10. We lost a little time today with the passing showers and had to “unstack” the second half of the segments. Hopefully two more joints will be completed today, leaving 4 to do tomorrow. Typical joints take approximately 45 minutes with the last two, which are done somewhat concurrently, taking slightly longer. As of right now, my best guess for finishing would be between 9:30 AM & 11 AM tomorrow.

Tom Bettcher
Project Superintendent
tbettcher@mcleancontracting.com
Mobile: (757) 651-6265

“Following a stumbled handoff with city staff turnover, a plan to install bicycle racks at six beach access locations on the Bayfront is back on track.”

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Check out BAC July Baylines 2018:

Ownership of the Virginia Beach Resort Hotel and Conference Center has changed hands and will be rebranded as a Delta by Marriott after extensive renovations, Stacey Shiflet, a BAC member and executive in the family company that sold the hotel, reported.

Closing on the $19 million sale took place June 15, said Shiflet, who said she has been hired as a consultant during the transition. Some $25 million in renovations are planned.

Monday June 25th @7:30pm – SDCC General Meeting Agenda

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Route 35 Discount Tickets available at meeting!

Click here for a printable version of the agenda 6.25.18 SDCC Agenda

SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday June 25, 2018 from 7:30 to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall
(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

Special Presentation – No presentation scheduled

Seaview Beach presentation rescheduled to Monday July 30th meeting.

Officer’s Reports: Secretary – Kathy Damon;Treasurer’s Report –Tim Solanic; Vice President – Wally Damon;
President – Todd Solomon

Old Business-
Short Term Rentals (STR) –City Council plans to send this item back to the Planning Commission on July 3rd and ask them to work on it more. To date, no comprehensive public conversation has been performed on the STR topic, only committee and commission hearings. Should SDCC request the City to hold a forum and would you attend to discuss concerns and ideas on STRs?

Lynnhaven Municipal Wharf –Updates on the City’s request to Army Corps of Engineers and Dept. of Environmental Quality to leave a permanent wharf in place after the Lesner Bridge construction is complete.

Bus Route 35: Shore Drive to Oceanfront – After a month of operation how is it working? We would like to hear your comments on the route and will collect them to forward to the City and HRT.

 

New Business –
Bayfront Advisory Commission Outreach Meeting – Updates from BAC’s June 21st meeting to hear community concerns. What issues were identified? Does SDCC have any items that were missed?

Coyotes in the Bayfront Area – Coyotes have been spotted on our beaches, on the Cape Henry bike path, in the State Park, backyards and even walking on Shore Drive and Great Neck Road. Any thoughts, concerns? Possible speaker/presentation topic?

Community Concerns– Please share any issues or concerns your groups/organizations may have at this time.

***Next SDCC Meeting – Monday July 30, 2018***

Coyotes are Amongst Us!?!

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photo by Sarah Linsly

In case you haven’t heard, here are two recent news reports regarding coyotes in the Bayfront area.

  1. Channel 13 News report – https://www.13newsnow.com/article/news/coyote-that-walks-shore-drive-becomes-fascination-of-residents/291-560750090

2.   Virginian-Pilot Article – https://pilotonline.com/news/local/article_83fc934a-68d6-11e8-b764-53d23769993c.html

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”

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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.

May 24, 2018 correspondence from Map Environmental to DEQ & ACOE re: proposed Lesner Municipal Wharf and potential uses.

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Re: Permit Modification #5 – Permanent Wharf
Lesner Bridge Replacement Project, Virginia Beach, VA NAO 2007-3405, VWP Permit 12-1169, MAP Job # 11111 (4 page PDF)

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”

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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 Beach

dlankfor@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

STR discussed at City Council Informal session plus Virginian-Pilot coverage

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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

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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

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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.

Monday May 21st SDCC Meeting Agenda – Note this is a week early due to Memorial Day

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda – 5.21.18 SDCC Agenda

SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday May 21, 2018 from 7:30 to 9:00pm
***Note this is a week early due to Memorial Day***
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall
(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

Special Presentation – No presentation scheduled

Seaview Beach presentation rescheduled to Monday July 30th meeting.

Officer’s Reports:
Secretary – Kathy Damon
Treasurer’s Report –Tim Solanic
Vice President – Wally Damon
President – Todd Solomon

Bayfront Advisory Commission (BAC) News – Mr. Wally Damon will update us on the actions of the Bayfront Advisory Commission.

Old Business-
Short Term Rentals (STR) – It is believed that City Council will sending a recommendation back to the Planning Commission for review, comments and recommendations. After which, the Planning Commission will send City Council their final recommendation for a City Council vote. The Council vote may be as early as June but more likely July/Aug timeframe. No new information has been posted since April, but updates on STRs can be found at https://www.vbgov.com/residents/homes-neighborhoods/Pages/online-home-sharing-economy.aspx

Lynnhaven Municipal Wharf – What happens next. Updates on the City’s request to Army Corps of Engineers and Dept. of Environmental Quality to leave a permanent wharf in place after the Lesner Bridge construction is complete.

Bus Route 35: Shore Drive to Oceanfront – The expanded route began Sunday May 20th and will run until the end of September. It will operate daily from 8am to Midnight through Labor Day and then switch to weekend service until the end of September. Helpful updates will be posted on SDCC’s website as we gather them. https://sdcc.info/bayfront-shuttle-route-35/

New Business –
Addition of “Your Speed Is” Traffic Signs on Shore Drive – The draft report shows these signs helped reduce speeds for sections of Shore Drive from 50 MPH to 45 MPH. SDCC would like to make an official motion to request the City purchase some of these portable signs to be used periodically along high speed sections of Shore Drive.

City Council Approves FY19 Budget – Included in this budget is funding for Shore Drive Road Improvements in Ocean Park – Phase 4 – CIP 2.118 Bus Route 35: Shore Drive to Oceanfront. Thanks to all that showed their support in making this happen.

Community Concerns– Please share any issues or concerns your groups/organizations may have at this time.

***Next SDCC Meeting – Monday June 25, 2018***

Virginia Beach Resort Hotel & Conference Center will become Marriott Brand

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With a sweeping view of the Chesapeake Bay, the Virginia Beach Resort Hotel & Conference Center on Shore Drive has long attracted tourists seeking a waterfront retreat.

Now, it’s going to change hands and get a major facelift.

Click here to read the entire Pilot article

BoBo’s Chicken opened on April 17th at old Charlie’s location

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For 70 years and three generations, the Rehpelz family served the people of Virginia Beach with seaside she-crab soup and hushpuppies at their Shore Drive restaurant, Charlie’s Seafood.

Now, a family tradition has just started in the same location. As first reported this winter by The Pilot, Virginia Beach native son Bo Midgett is bringing three generations of his own local family recipes to a new fried chicken and biscuit spot called Bobo’s Fine Chicken.

For more information and to read the Pilot article, click here

New Baylines issue includes Route 35 updates!

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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.

Visit VBGov.com to view SHORE DRIVE CORRIDOR:PAST, PRESENT, & FUTURE APRIL 19, 2018BAYFRONT ADVISORY COMMISSION

Save the Date – Monday July 30th – Historic Seaview Beach Presentation by Sherry DiBari

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This presentation originally scheduled for May 21st has been moved to July 30th.

You are all invited to the next SDCC General Meeting on Monday July 30th to hear a wonderful presentation on the historic Seaview Beach.  Don’t know what/where Seaview Beach was?  This is a great opportunity to learn some amazing stories and background of this incredible hot spot situated on Shore Drive.

Sherry Dibari, a Norfolk resident who works on independent projects related to the documentation and preservation of regional traditions and cultures, will discuss her research on Seaview Beach that she gathered while creating a research paper funded with a 2017 Research Grant from the Virginia Beach Historic Preservation Commission.

Click here for more information about her research

The SDCC meeting will begin at 7:30pm at the Ocean Park Rescue Squad Hall.

Congratulations to Mayor Louis Jones and Vice Mayor James Wood !

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Pilotonline.com:

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.

SDCC General Meeting Agenda – Monday April 30th at 7:30pm

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Click here for a printable version of the agenda 4.30.18 SDCC Agenda

SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday April 30, 2018 from 7:30 to 9:00pm
Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall
(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

Special Presentation – No presentation scheduled

Officer’s Reports: Secretary – Andrew Broyles; Treasurer’s Report –Tim Solanic; Vice President – Wally Damon; President – Todd Solomon

Bayfront Advisory Commission (BAC) News – Mr. Wally Damon will update us on the actions of the Bayfront Advisory Commission.

Old Business-
Addition of “Your Speed Is” Traffic Signs on Shore Drive – VB City Traffic Engineering has completed a draft report for the results of the study. SDCC has shared the report on our website. We will discuss the report results and next steps/actions. Come join the conversation.

Short Term Rentals (STR) – City Council deferred a final vote on any STR policy until late May timeframe. On April 3rd Councilman Jones proposed a draft ordinance that permits home-sharing by-right and only requires registration with the Commissioner of Revenue Office. Short term rentals are permitted by-right in the Sandbridge SSD, Ocean Front Resort District, and the North End overlay. In all other parts of the City, short term rentals would require a conditional use permit. Where short term rentals are permitted by-right or where they require a conditional use permit, they must adhere to 11 conditions. Updates on STRs can be found at https://www.vbgov.com/residents/homes-neighborhoods/Pages/online-home-sharing-economy.aspx

Lynnhaven Municipal Wharf – Updates on the City’s request to Army Corps of Engineers and Dept. of Environmental Quality to leave a permanent wharf in place after the Lesner Bridge construction is complete.

New Business –
Shore Drive Road Improvements in Ocean Park – Phase 4 – CIP 2.118 is still proposed for full funding in the upcoming FY19 City Budget. In an effort to show support for this item, an official SDCC vote will be taken at our April meeting. Please prepare accordingly.

Bus Route 35: Shore Drive to Oceanfront – The City Manager has allocated transitional funding to allow the expansion of this route for the 2018 season. The route will begin service the weekend before Memorial Day (Fri May 25th) and operate until the end of September. Replacement funding for this service is being requested as part of the proposed FY19 City Budget. In an effort to show support for this item, an official SDCC vote is recommended. Please prepare accordingly.

Community Concerns– Please share any issues or concerns your groups/organizations may have at this time.

Future SDCC meeting presentation suggestions – The History of Seaview Beach by Historian Sherry DiBari. More information about this topic can be found at https://sdcc.info/2018/04/19/familiar-with-seaview-beach-amusement-park/

***Next SDCC Meeting – Monday May 21, 2018***
Please Note – This meeting is a week early due to Memorial Day

REAL-TIME ELECTRONIC SPEED FEEDBACK DISPLAYS EVALUATION: SHORE DRIVE TEST CASE

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The Traffic Engineering Division of the City of Virginia Beach (CVB) has conducted a test to evaluate the effectiveness of “Real-Time Electronic Speed Feedback Displays” (RTESFDs) at improving compliance with the posted speed limit. Shore Drive in the Cape Story area was utilized as the test case area and the CVB’s existing trailer mounted RTESFDs were utilized for the evaluation. The purpose of the study was to determine if the devices are effective at improving compliance with the posted speed limit, and if so, to what degree is speed of traffic modified, and is the change sustainable. Locally, the City of Norfolk has utilized these devices, however before and after data were not collected so the performance could not be evaluated.

The draft of this report can be read by clicking this link SHORE DRIVE ELECTRONIC SPEED DISPLAY SIGNS – Draft FINAL REPORT

The eastbound 3600 block of Shore Drive near the intersection of Dinwiddie Road has been reduced to one lane for emergency water main repairs.

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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.