Hampton Roads Off-Topic Talk

[BFG]

Yet another series of articles discussing what we (and so many others in this area) have been saying: work together as a region, esp. when it comes to things like jobs. One thing I didn't realize is that the Dillon Rule is what hurts us a lot, since we have to go through Richmond for a lot of local issues. I do wonder if becoming a county would be the best bet for us, with all the individual cities, kinda like what you see on Long Island.

https://pilotonline.com/inside-business/ibq/article_6789007a-221a-11e8-9bdc-bb53b2e3638f.html
https://pilotonline.com/inside-business/ibq/article_0d5622aa-221e-11e8-a33a-f7392566f1da.html

ObSnark: not expecting this study to change anything.

[urbanlife]

On 12/21/2017 at 5:10 PM, Virginia City said:

I hear that HR needs a new name about every 3 or 4 years. The last time several publications started calling the area Coastal Virginia and that didn't stick. It's nothing new and I doubt it happens.  

I am actually amazed Hampton Roads stuck, I remember when the area was just referred to as Tidewater when referring to the metro.

[nd23]

I'm a truck driver that currently resides in the northeast, but have been seriously looking into the idea of moving to the Hampton Roads area. Have browsed potential places to rent. Been also looking at some trucking companies. While I have seen some that have terminals in the area, there are four top ones that I'm looking into and they all don't have a terminal in the HR area, meaning that I would have to have somewhere to park the truck. I am aware of the one truck stop along Route 13 in northern VA Beach, but if I could have the truck within walking distance of where I would be staying, that would be ideal. Plus I think they charge to park there at the truck stop and I would rather not deal with that if I don't have to. But I am realistic enough to know that I may not have much of a choice if there are no truck friendly residential roads. So other than the truck stop, are there any particular areas that are known to have trucks parked? Maybe a shopping center? Are there any fellow truck drivers that may be able to recommend a particular area to stay in that I could park a rig? Appreciate the help.

[BFG]

A Pamunkey tribal chief likes Hampton Roads for a potential area for a new Indian casino. If it could pass the General Assembly, the tribe is possibly considering here or New Kent County, outside of Richmond.

https://pilotonline.com/news/article_cacf8fe4-52fa-11e8-98d5-1f7974d899a9.html

[urbanvb]

Looks like a few of Farm Fresh stores may live on. 

http://www.wavy.com/news/local-news/farm-fresh-and-its-fried-chicken-will-live-on-at-2-hampton-roads-stores/1178646990

Edited May 15, 2018 by urbanvb

[urbanvb]

Muscle Maker Grill is planning 13 locations for Hampton Roads. 

http://pilotonline.com/life/flavor/restaurants/article_dd7f5b1c-547e-11e8-aecb-9f15b07335b3.html

 

[jeffconn]

19 hours ago, BFG said:

A Pamunkey tribal chief likes Hampton Roads for a potential area for a new Indian casino. If it could pass the General Assembly, the tribe is possibly considering here or New Kent County, outside of Richmond.

https://pilotonline.com/news/article_cacf8fe4-52fa-11e8-98d5-1f7974d899a9.html

It doesn't need to pass the General Assembly. The Pamunkey Tribe can make their own casino on their own land tomorrow if they wish. However, with sports gambling now suddenly legal thanks to the Supreme Court, I would expect slot machines and sports gambling to be approved by the General Assembly for the Pamunkey casino and for Colonial Downs and for the Off-Track-Betting parlors. The General Assembly will see the dollars float away to Maryland and West Virginia if they don't.

Edited May 15, 2018 by jeffconn

[BFG]

I think MGM Grand opening in DC (and to an extent, Maryland Live!) really has Virginia realizing what they're missing out on.

[BFG]

Next trip scheduled for the HR Chamber: Pittsburgh

https://pilotonline.com/inside-business/news/economic-development/article_0647e618-5ab0-11e8-8ba8-27934589302a.html

[BFG]

Three out of the Seven Cities made it onto Business Insider's Top 10 list of cities where millennials are moving. I know the criteria should prolly be taken with a grain of salt, but this isn't the first time the region has made it onto a publication's radar either. That's good news, but I wish publications wouldn't separate the cities, and instead just count the whole region. Seems a little less misleading that way.

http://www.businessinsider.com/where-are-millennials-moving-seattle-denver-virginia-2018-6

That being said, the Photoshop job on the Bank of America/Icon building needs some work. 

Edited June 19, 2018 by BFG

[vdogg]

On 6/19/2018 at 5:16 PM, BFG said:

Three out of the Seven Cities made it onto Business Insider's Top 10 list of cities where millennials are moving. I know the criteria should prolly be taken with a grain of salt, but this isn't the first time the region has made it onto a publication's radar either. That's good news, but I wish publications wouldn't separate the cities, and instead just count the whole region. Seems a little less misleading that way.

http://www.businessinsider.com/where-are-millennials-moving-seattle-denver-virginia-2018-6

That being said, the Photoshop job on the Bank of America/Icon building needs some work. 

Why would they even photoshop that? 

[BFG]

Some stock image sites are very strict about brand names appearing, so I'm guessing that photographer was trying to get rid of the BoA name, along with the Hilton, Norfolk/Southern, etc.  But to Photoshop a couple rows of windows is just weird lol.

[BFG]

Inside Business followed the HR Chamber to Pittsburgh, where the Chamber learned more about how Pitt rebounded from the steel industry collapsing in the 70s and 80s. Like with the trip to Nashville, the key takeaway seems to be 1) taking chances will never be popular with residents, but it must be done if you want progress, 2) find another industry other than the one crutch you've been leaning on (in Pitt's case, steel; in our case, military), and 3) work together as a region*. But we already knew the last part.

Here's the articles. I sincerely hope somebody at the Chamber will take this information to city leaders and ingrain it in their heads.

https://pilotonline.com/inside-business/news/economic-development/article_980b765e-7433-11e8-adeb-7fd3af7063ea.html
https://pilotonline.com/inside-business/news/economic-development/article_49e7013a-7976-11e8-a1df-d37aab60bc51.html
https://pilotonline.com/inside-business/news/economic-development/article_537a628c-7895-11e8-ae5d-73320cc0070a.html
https://pilotonline.com/inside-business/news/economic-development/article_7b0e782a-74fc-11e8-b602-73ad0c72b17c.html

 

*ObCynic: local residents could've told them all three of these points for free, but I digress.

[zeppelin14]

Looking at the third article - What Norfolk should really do is attract an airline to ORF to call it a hub. Build another terminal where the current long-term parking is. Hubs somehow make cities more relevant. Look at Charlotte before the 1970s when Piedmont came into town.

[Urbanlooker]

In order for ORF to even dream of becoming a hub it will need at least a second runway

[BFG]

1 hour ago, zeppelin14 said:

Looking at the third article - What Norfolk should really do is attract an airline to ORF to call it a hub. Build another terminal where the current long-term parking is. Hubs somehow make cities more relevant. Look at Charlotte before the 1970s when Piedmont came into town.

Even though they’re smaller, I think this would be a great hub for Allegiant or Jet Blue. I know the airport board is commissioning the FAA for the second runway, but a new terminal or renovation of the existing downstairs would be nice too. 

[BFG]

tHRive, the local young professionals organization, is currently conducting a survey about the quality of life in Hampton Roads, mainly the economy. It ties in to a symposium scheduled for next week, about regionalism and the possibility of working together.

Survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSet9b3kXaaMnn9aqoymMq0rJFGcUqTkN8v9lPcdH5dUhvfCjA/viewform

The Event:  http://www.ypthrive.org/event/2018-june-impact-talk-2/

[BFG]

Article about last week's summit. A lot of what people have said before, but we'll see if this results in any changes.

https://pilotonline.com/inside-business/news/economic-development/article_a4715a0a-ad52-11e8-8090-bfda6f021d33.html

[BFG]

The Hampton Roads-Richmond "megaregion" discussion is back for the 99th time. I just want to see results other than umpteen proposals. I'd also rather see HR become one city (even if it's made up of an interconnected portion of each city).

https://pilotonline.com/inside-business/news/economic-development/article_50b3fafe-c1d3-11e8-a43e-579cce019aca.html

[BFG]

Netflix is looking at expanding its operations into VA. This is from the Richmond business publication, but the article says Fort Monroe is a possibility. Every city in Hampton Roads needs to get behind this and put up at least one location. 

https://richmondbizsense.com/2018/10/03/netflix-richmond-streaming-giant-hunting-hub-virginia/

Maybe the Norfolk Southern tower? 

[Virginia City]

They will find someway to F this up.

[BFG]

I’m going to hold out hope that they realize this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and actually get this one right. A lot to ask, I know. 

[vdogg]

On 10/3/2018 at 5:27 PM, BFG said:

Netflix is looking at expanding its operations into VA. This is from the Richmond business publication, but the article says Fort Monroe is a possibility. Every city in Hampton Roads needs to get behind this and put up at least one location. 

https://richmondbizsense.com/2018/10/03/netflix-richmond-streaming-giant-hunting-hub-virginia/

Maybe the Norfolk Southern tower? 

This is one area where we have a distinct advantage over Richmond. I imagine proximity to high capacity data lines, of which Va. Beach now has several, will weigh heavily on their decision.

[BFG]

Another article about how this area lacks an identity. But experts think a regional hashtag could be part of the reason why.

https://pilotonline.com/business/article_a18847fa-c719-11e8-90e5-db672076fffe.html

I honestly don't know how many times the Pilot is going to keep reporting these stories. It's been the same thing for who knows how many years, and we never get any closer to a real solution.

[vdogg]

NS did not leave because we lack a catchy hashtag. Our issues run far deeper than that.