#LESNERBRIDGE update from Project Manager – “On a final note . . . The Ocean Park Civic League is having a neighborhood yard sale this Saturday, April 11th,which means that there will be a lot of additional vehicles entering/exiting East Stratford Street at Shore Drive. Since our bridge contractor will also be working this weekend, please use caution on Shore Drive when nearing the East Stratford Street intersection and when turning onto East Stratford Street going towards the boat ramps.”

Posted on April 10, 2015 by Tim

April 10th 2015 update:

Friends, Neighbors and Those Who Want to Know Everything About the Lesner Bridge Project:

As you sit outside on a gorgeous Friday and feel the bay breeze blow through your hair – or what’s left of it in some cases – treat yourself to the latest information about the Public Works project – the Lesner Bridge Replacement Project. Things are humming right along, and we are receiving a number of questions and requests for information on a regular basis – which is GREAT. We appreciate your interest and your comments about this important undertaking.

The latest collection of facts and figures and other details are below – updated for your reading pleasure or should someone suddenly begin to quiz you – as explained by Chris Wojtowicz, our project manager and the pride and joy of “Wojo’s World.” Please give this a look when you have the time, and feel free to let Chris or me know if you have any questions or need more information.

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. Thanks again for all of your patience throughout this project.

Enjoy your weekend, and all the happenings our city offers . . . AND STAY SAFE!

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

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

Ok, let’s answer the first question that many of you have had or are thinking: “What is all that steel framework construction taking place in the dredge material storage area south of the Lynnhaven Boat Ramps?”

The answer is: The bridge contractor is preparing the storage area to receive the pre-cast bridge segments now being stored at Atlantic Metrocast in Portsmouth. This temporary steel framework will support an overhead crane that will be used to unload/load the bridge segments from the delivery trucks and move these segments within the storage area.

The bridge contractor has also been preparing the temporary steel falsework between Pier #1 and Abutment A (this is near 3556 On The Bay condominiums) to receive the support towers and gantry trusses. The two concrete pads recently poured at Abutment A is the foundation for one of the two towers that will be erected next week. These towers will be used to support the bridge segment assembly gantry.

Casting yard production of the bridge segments is also continuing. The expansion joint segment, which is the first segment that will be placed in the bridge (on Abutment A), was cast on Tuesday (the 7th). Three of the 14 typical segments for bridge span 2 have also been cast since the last project update.

(Expansion Joint segment with ~25% of steel reinforcing installed)

The foundation work on the westbound bridge continues. The last of the ten drilled shafts at Pier #4 will be installed by today (Friday the 10th).

Over the next two weeks, the bridge contractor will;

Ø Mobilize the utility barges and drilling equipment to Pier #5 (east side of the Federal Channel in the Lynnhaven Inlet);

Ø Mobilize cranes to Abutment A to support the assembly of the bridge segment assembly gantry;

Ø Continue work on the temporary overhead crane installation at the Lynnhaven Dredge Material Storage Site;

Ø Install a cofferdam around the completed foundations at Pier #3;

Ø Install the new traffic signal poles and signal heads at the intersection of Shore Drive/Page Avenue/Vista Circle;

Ø Construct a haul road along the retaining wall adjacent to the Pointe Chesapeake property (former Duck Inn site) to support construction of Abutment B;

*** On a final note . . . The Ocean Park Civic League is having a neighborhood yard sale this Saturday, April 11th,which means that there will be a lot of additional vehicles entering/exiting East Stratford Street at Shore Drive. Since our bridge contractor will also be working this weekend, please use caution on Shore Drive when nearing the East Stratford Street intersection and when turning onto East Stratford Street going towards the boat ramps.

Because of all this activity, there will likely be more pedestrians and vehicles in this area this weekend than usual – so be alert and drive safely!

-Chris

Christopher J. Wojtowicz, P.E.
Project Manager
City of Virginia Beach
Department of Public Works
Municipal Center-Bldg 2
2405 Court House Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23456-9031
Phone: (757) 385-5785
Fax: (757) 385-5668
email: cwojtowi@vbgov.com

Screen grab of zoomed construction cam shot taken on April 10th 2015 3pm.

“Discover the Code of Virginia THE LAWS OF VIRGINIA, FOR NON-LAWYERS.”

Posted on April 9, 2015 by Tim

Heard about Virginia Decoded website the other day and thought it might be useful.

Virginia Decoded provides the Code of Virginia on one friendly website. Inline definitions, cross-references, bulk downloads, a modern API, and all of the niceties of modern website design. It’s like the expensive software lawyers use, but free and wonderful.

Their scoop on:

Data Sources

The information that makes up Virginia Decoded comes entirely from public sources. All of the sections of the code are straight from the Virginia Code Commission, who provides SGML of the Code (via LexisNexis). Legislative data is from Richmond Sunlight. Court decisions are scraped from the Court of Appeals’ decisions webpage. Term definitions are from within the state code itself. Throughout the site, links are provided to original data sources, whenever possible.

NOTE: SDCC does not endorse this website. We just posted it, and added it to our Elsewhere Link list in the left column as a possible useful tool for those who stay up late at night reading the Virginia Code.

“Continuing its commitment of providing the highest quality library services possible, Virginia Beach Public Library Director, Eva Poole is currently seeking input from Virginia Beach residents, who use the library as well as those who don’t, to help develop the department’s strategic plan.”

Posted on April 6, 2015 by Tim

Engage!

Visit VBGov.com Virtual Town Hall Official Website to provide your feedback about the Library system.

click graphic to visit Virtual Town Hall website

Official Library website info at VBGov.com.

The resources under Research are just one of the amazing benefits you receive by having a VB Library card.

We encourage you to check out our library system in person!

Clyde’s Market on Shore Drive & West Great Neck Road

Posted on April 4, 2015 by Tim

Photo Credit: The New Tidewater Flashback Group in Facebook

Photo Credit from The New Tidewater Flashback in Facebook.

Thanks to Traycee for allowing us to share these!

Let us know in comments below if you’d like to see more flashback photos of the Shore Drive community.

Markers for new beach trail at Pleasure House Point next to Brock Environmental Center pier vandalized.

Posted on April 2, 2015 by Tim

Email from Lynnhaven River NOW sez:

Hey, everyone,

We started putting up the goose fencing for the planting sites along the trail at PHP, and came upon an unfortunate scene. Meredith had put in some fairly large stakes last week to mark the area, and they were all broken off today when we went out (stakes were thrown into the marsh area). We think maybe people think we are trying to block off the trails completely, and don’t understand that the path is simply shifting, though maybe they are just vandalizing for the sake of vandalizing. This was along the area where there is clearly still some type of ATV action.

Photo of stakes & goose fencing built by volunteers that was destroyed

Important phone numbers

Parks & Natural Areas Office: 757-385-2080
Police Non-Emergency Number: 757-385-5000
Animal Control: 757-385-4444

Still working on finding that sweet spot of eliminating 100% of vandalism & foolish behavior vs loving PHP to death.

Ever wonder how much influence the Shore Drive Community Coalition has?

Posted on April 1, 2015 by Tim

Since our inception, we’ve worked on a lot of issues that have made our beloved community a little better.

Our work has helped us create a powerful, respected reputation.

Now we’ve expanded our reach & sphere of influence.

We’re happy to announce a new joint venture with Google – Shore Drive Pac Man for Google Maps!

Start here.

You’re welcome.

Oyster bed in the Lynnhaven River…. 1986 VPA

Posted on March 28, 2015 by Tim

Photo Credit: The New Tidewater Flashback Group in Facebook

YUM!

Photo Credit from The New Tidewater Flashback in Facebook.

Thanks to Traycee for allowing us to share these!

Let us know in comments below if you’d like to see more flashback photos of the Shore Drive community.

“Voters wanted to rename it for their pets – Fluffy the rat – and for their favorite actors – Betty White and Chuck Norris.”

Posted on March 28, 2015 by Tim

Rename the Lesner Bridge? Nope. At Pilotonline.com:

Vice Mayor Louis Jones, whose district includes the western side of Shore Drive, said he agrees with that suggestion. The decision is ultimately up to the City Council.

Bayfront Advisory Commission Chairman Kal Kassir said the results didn’t surprise him. The commission advises the City Council on issues relating to the communities along the Chesapeake Bay.

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Screen grab of zoomed construction cam shot taken on Feb 26th 2015 10am.

“Its for an overhead crane to move the bridge segments around the yard and offload from the delivery trucks.”

Posted on March 26, 2015 by Tim

The new poles driven at the beloved Lynnhaven Boat Ramp & Beach Facility are for the #LESNERBRIDGE construction.

Monday March 30th – SDCC General Meeting Agenda

Posted on March 25, 2015 by Todd Solomon

Click here for a printable version of the agenda 3.30.15 SDCC Agenda

SDCC General Meeting Agenda

Monday March 30, 2015 from 7:30 to 9:00pm Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall

(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)

Program/Presentation – Mr. Clay Bernick – Administrator City of Virginia Beach Environment and Sustainability Office, will inform us of the City’s efforts to join the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS) and what residents can do to help make it happen. Depending on the level of participation, home owners that live in flood zones could see insurance premiums reduced by 5%-15%.

Officer’s Reports

Secretary – David Williams

Treasurer’s Report -Kathy Pawlak

Vice President – Wally Damon

President – Todd Solomon

Old Business–

Bishard Development Update – Old Baylake Pines School properties. Both change of zoning requests were “Indefinitely Deferred” at the March 11^th Planning Council meeting.

Lesner Bridge Renaming Survey – Update of results and next steps presented at the Bayfront Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting.

City Comprehensive Plan – Update on plan review and how we can continue to stay involved.

New Business –

Proposed Trolley Service from Shore Drive to Oceanfront – The BAC has asked City Council to explore the possibility of extending the trolley service during the Spring and Summer months. Should and how can SDCC support?

Community Concerns – Does your neighborhood/condo have any issues that have come up that need help or may be a warning to others?

Citywide Civic Engagement Opportunities

City Budget Hearings:
- April 23 at 6 p.m., Green Run High School, 1700 Dahlia Drive
- April 28 at 6 p.m., City Council chamber, 2401 Courthouse Drive

Transit Extension Study Hearings:
- Monday, April 13, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library, 4100 Virginia Beach Blvd.
- Thursday, April 16, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Linkhorn Park Elementary School, 977 First Colonial Road
- Monday, April 20, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Virginia Beach Higher Education Center, 1881 University Drive
- Saturday, April 25, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Renaissance Academy, 5100 Cleveland St.

VB Library Use Focus Groups – The VB Public Library need 40 volunteers to discuss ways to improve their service. Focus groups will meet April 20^th or 21^st. Submit name, email address, phone number, zip code to KHanderh@vbgov.com by April 6th

Next SDCC Meeting – Monday April 27^th, Presentation on Flood Mitigation and Flood Insurance by Mike Vernon of Flood Mitigation Hampton Roads and Scott Hunter of Comparity.

SAVE THE DATE – Monday March 30th @7:30pm – City Presentation on CRS Flood Program

Posted on March 25, 2015 by Todd Solomon

With the recent talk of property tax rate increases, wouldn’t it be amazing if the City could join a program that reduces insurance premiums for residents in Flood Zones?

On Monday March 30th at 7:30pm, Mr. Clay Bernick – Administrator City of Virginia Beach Environment and Sustainability Office, will be attending the SDCC general meeting to discuss the City’s efforts to join the National Flood Insurance Program(NFIP) Community Rating System(CRS) program and what residents can do to help make this happen.

14,000 homes with potential flood insurance savings
Average insurance premium saving ($100/year)
7 other Hampton Roads cities participate in CRS program, VB has never participated.

SDCC General Meeting

Monday March 30th at 7:30pm

Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall – 3769 E Stratford Rd (Click for map)

Background documents on NFIP’s CRS program:

2014 Evaluation of CRS by City of VB Public Works – White paper on why it may not be beneficial for VB to join program (Click the link to read – CRS in Virginia Beach Mar 2014 PW Evaluation)
CRS Communities and their ratings
NFIP’s CRS Program website – Click here – This site has a lot of good information on the program in general.
CRS Coordinator’s Manual – Click here – This document explains the program in detail and what requirements localities have to meet to join.

“For example, to view information about a specific transportation project, such as the Lesner Bridge replacement, visit Budgetexpenditure.vbgov.com and click on the budget category “Quality Physical Environment” on the green graph to the right.”

Posted on March 25, 2015 by Tim

Thanks to everyone who helped make the #LESNERBRIDGE updates and transparency about the project possible!

From the News Release yesterday at VBGov.com:

“Open VB marks a major step forward in increasing public transparency in our budget and capital improvement projects,” said city Budget Director Catheryn Whitesell. “We implemented Open VB because citizens have a right to know how fund are being raised and allocated.”

Here’s the link to the #LESNERBRIDGE at the new Open VB website.

Here’s the Shore Drive Corridor Improvements Phase IV hot link.

Click screen shot to visit hot link at Open VB website.

The Search function in upper right hand corner of page seems to need exact name of the Project to find it.
It is a lot easier to scroll on the interactive map, and drill down/zoom in to find road projects you are interested in.

There is also a great way to find projects using the CATEGORY function.
As an example, it was easy to find the vital Sewer Pump Station Flow Monitoring & Date Storage page by drilling down in the CATEGORY function. Here’s that page.

Here’s an example of drilling down into the SERVICE function.
It was easy to find the Eastern Shore Drive Drainage Phase I page.

Thanks again to everyone who works so diligently on making government and it’s processes transparent.

Thanks to everyone at the COVB who makes it easy for the public to find it.

#LESNERBRIDGE update from Project Manager – “Since our last update, the dredging of Crab Creek and the area in front of the wharf at the Lynnhaven Dredge Material Storage Site (LDMSS) has been completed.”

Posted on March 24, 2015 by Tim

March 23rd 2015 update:

Aficionados of the Lesner Bridge Project:

This might be the first e-mail we’ve sent out in weeks that does not use the words “salt-and-sand solution” and “potholes,” and I consider that GOOD news. Chris rejoices below that “spring is in the air,” but I’m greedier . . . I want to see temps in the 90’s, AC’s running full blast and the sound of mosquitoes flying head first into my back yard zapper! That’s one of the best cures I know for these winter blahs.

The latest collection of facts and figures, updated for your reading pleasure, and other details are below, as explained by Chris Wojtowicz, our project manager and landlord of “Wojo’s World.” Please give this a look when you have the time, and feel free to let Chris or me know if you have any questions or need more information.

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. Thanks again for all of your patience throughout this project.

Enjoy the week, and enjoy the approaching spring weather, AND our city. Stay safe.

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

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

Aaaahhhh . . . . spring is in the air! And with spring comes warmer temperatures that have the Lesner Bridge Replacement Project buzzing with activity!

Since our last update, the dredging of Crab Creek and the area in front of the wharf at the Lynnhaven Dredge Material Storage Site (LDMSS) has been completed. Much of the dredged beach-quality sand has to be stockpiled near this recently completed wharf, but some of this material was used to replenish Ocean Park Beach in preparation for the summer season.

As you have all noticed – the landscape at Lesner Bridge is beginning to change dramatically. Over the past several weeks, crews have been erecting the tall steel falsework on the west side of the bridge in preparation for assembly of the 300-foot long gantry crane that will be used to set the pre-cast concrete bridge segments into place. Assembly of this gantry will begin within the next few days, and will continue for several weeks.

Completion of the gantry assembly will be in time for arrival of the first bridge segments to the project site. The 14 segments for the first bridge span have been cast and are currently being stored in the Atlantic Metrocast yard in Portsmouth.

The expansion joint segment and the pier segments are the only pieces remaining to be built before we can begin the assembly of these units in the new westbound bridge.

Crews have made quite a bit of progress on other portions of the bridge work since the last update:

Ø Pier column #2 for the new WB bridge has been completed;

Ø 5 of the 10 drilled shafts for Pier #4 have been installed;

Ø Temporary trestle has been partially installed around the area of Pier #5;

Over the next two weeks, work will increase on the east side of the bridge as we continue to build the retaining wall, temporary wire wall, and install storm drain/other utilities at this bridge approach. The remaining drilled shafts for the foundations at pier #4 will be placed thru 3/30/2015.

Along with all of these other activities, the contractor will also begin to assemble the temporary cofferdam around the previously installed drilled shafts at Pier #3 in preparation for the construction of the foundation cap.

That’s about it for this update.

Drive safely!

-Chris

Christopher J. Wojtowicz, P.E.
Project Manager
City of Virginia Beach
Department of Public Works
Municipal Center-Bldg 2
2405 Court House Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23456-9031
Phone: (757) 385-5785
Fax: (757) 385-5668
email: cwojtowi@vbgov.com

Screen grab of construction cam shot taken on Feb 18th 2015 8am. Note: It was not spring.

Duck In photos from back in the day.

Posted on March 21, 2015 by Tim

Photo Credit: The New Tidewater Flashback Group in Facebook

Photo Credit from The New Tidewater Flashback in Facebook.

Thanks to Traycee for allowing us to share these!

Let us know in comments below if you’d like to see more flashback photos of the Shore Drive community.

VB City Page is out … “Real Estate Assessor’s Annual Report Reveals Property Values Are Increasing” and more.

Posted on March 20, 2015 by Tim

View magazine online at VBGov.com.

Budget Workshop and Public Meeting Schedule Now Available
Learn more about the city’s proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year and take advantage of two opportunities to share your input in person.

Get Your Tickets for the Annual East Coast She Crab Soup Classic
Popular among local seafood enthusiasts, this event highlighting a Coastal Virginia favorite returns to the 24th Street Park on April 11.

. . . and more.

Click to go to VBGov.com

“Now that it’s over, she wants others to hear her story. She says since the attack, she’s spent a lot of time talking to friends about what happened. That’s when she learned some of them are victims of sexual crimes but never said anything.”

Posted on March 18, 2015 by Tim

Read & view story at WTKR.com.

The attack happened in Nov. of 2013. Jessica Biersack had been out drinking with friends at Bayside Bar & Grill. Eventually, she decided to leave for the night.

“I have a friend that lives up the road, so I walked through the parking lot alone, and apparently he had followed me,” Biersack told NewsChannel 3, “The next thing I remember, I woke up naked behind a shed. My jaw was broken and I was missing a tooth.”

“The City Council approved a resolution yesterday directing city staff to study the idea, which could spread ultra-high-speed Internet throughout much of Virginia Beach. The resolution was introduced by Councilman Ben Davenport.”

Posted on March 18, 2015 by Tim

View entire article at VBGov.com.

Last month, a task force made recommendations on the best way to develop biomedical industries in Virginia Beach. One of its action items is enhancing regional broadband connectivity, “allowing researchers to perform more in-depth analysis in fields including bioinformatics and data analytics.”

Editors note: If this would increase competition in broadband speeds & rates HOORAY!!!

“The City of Virginia Beach filed a petition in Virginia Beach Circuit Court today, asking the court to confirm that the public enjoys a recreation easement over Chesapeake Beach, known locally as Chic’s Beach, and that the city has the right to maintain and protect the beach. This action is a necessary precursor to any sand replenishment for Chesapeake Beach.”

Posted on March 16, 2015 by Tim

Read entire statement at VBGov.com.

Many property owners along Chesapeake Beach agree that the public has long-standing rights to use the beach across their properties. Some, however, dispute the public’s right to use and the city’s right to maintain the beach. They contend the beach is private.

Photo update from Twitter about #LESNERBRIDGE

Posted on March 16, 2015 by Tim

Sorry for missing this when it was originally posted!
The last update on the Official Twitter feed for the #LESNERBRIDGE was in January though.

Pier 2 formed and ready to be cast at Lesner Bridge pic.twitter.com/zCYIWHgCek

— Lesner Bridge (@LesnerBridge) March 4, 2015

1963 at Little Creek Amphib. Base/Soap Box Derby Tech. inspection.

Posted on March 14, 2015 by Tim

Photo Credit: Wally Damon from a Comment in The New Tidewater Flashback Group in Facebook

Photo Credit from The New Tidewater Flashback in Facebook. This was a pic Wally posted in a comment.

How’d you do that day Wally?

Let us know in comments below if you’d like to see more flashback photos of the Shore Drive community.

#WeLoveShoreDrive

Bayfront News & SDCC Archive

“Discover the Code of Virginia THE LAWS OF VIRGINIA, FOR NON-LAWYERS.”

“Continuing its commitment of providing the highest quality library services possible, Virginia Beach Public Library Director, Eva Poole is currently seeking input from Virginia Beach residents, who use the library as well as those who don’t, to help develop the department’s strategic plan.”

Clyde’s Market on Shore Drive & West Great Neck Road