Virginia Beach off-topic

[vdogg]

www.vdogg.com

When did I hang out with those people?

[rusthebuss]

When did I hang out with those people?

when did you come out with your own web site?

[willy]

When did I hang out with those people?

You tell us, after all there is only 1 vdogg.

[vdogg]

I need everyone to vote in this poll. It has to do with the future location of the Virginia forum.

[vdogg]

Oceanfront Hilton draws in the groups

[urbanvb]

It is good to see our tax dollars may payoff for the city. Like the article states though the off peak times may pose more of a challenge that may be most difficult to overcome.

[vdogg]

Noted writer and urban specialist to address redevelopment at the Beach

"Will Virginia Beach become a Fairfax, which he described as a commercial development that makes Tysons Corner larger than downtown Miami? Are there ethnic challenges and race issues in Virginia Beach? Has the city learned any lessons after Hurricane Katrina?"

[urbanvb]

Sounds interesting. I may just try to attend.

[rusthebuss]

It does sound interesting and its good to see someone outside the area taking interest in our development.

[urbanvb]

I have just got off the phone with the City Manager's office to gather more info on this meeting. The city of VB as we all know is beginning to undergo redevelopment and this meeting is a kickoff for the citizens to get involved and have input. I am definately planning to attend and encourage others who may be interested as well. You can click below for more info.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v428/guy...h%20II/city.jpg

[wrldcoupe4]

I hope that Va Beach becomes something better than Fairfax.

[nrdzrool]

There was a research symposium today at vatech discussing a wide variety of issues...i attended a couple that were talking about "Megapolitan America", and it was pretty interesting. Basically just a presentation about work that's been done, separating the most populated portions of the nation into regions based on how people move between cities. There was a chart at one point which gave the title of each region, and the major states in each...I wasn't surprised to see that Virginia was included in two regions, apparantly the only state to do so. ::The two being Piedmont and The Northeast:: so much for deciding if virginia is North or South. anyway, he stressed the point that rail is definitely the way to go as far as connecting people is concerned, and that any region which does not actively pursue this is destined to be left in the dust.

i was just browsing the internet a little bit ago, and came across this article...it's fairly dated, about seven years, but it's about virginia beach. i'm posting it because of the possible futures offered at the end for the city. i'm wondering if we have or have begun to fulfill any of these.

http://www.alexmarshall.org/index.php?pageId=132

[urbanvb]

That is a great find and a great read as well. I want to comment on a few things from the article.

Where is Virginia Beach going? The city is on the cusp, at the point of either heading down hill or working out some new trajectory that will keep it, and perhaps the region, a nice place to live.

Most people will agree that VB is on a new path with redevelopment and trying to build itself an image besides being a 'bedroom community'. The Town Center has been a huge success and is the Pembroke area is undergoing tremendous changes for the better including high density housing that gives suburbanites and urbanites an area that has a sense of place. The Oceanfront has plans for higher density development and to make it a more than just a 3-4 month destination.

Of the 213,000 Virginia Beach residents who work, almost 100,000 do so outside city borders, according to stats from the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission. What this means is that Virginia Beach is still largely dependent on events outside its own borders. Virginia Beach is basically embarrassed that it still largely dependent on economic activity outside the city, and doesn't want to admit it.

I must admit I was shocked at these numbers. I wonder if this is still the case?

Contrasting to a return to outward growth is a coalition of sorts, an interesting combination of environmentalists and business leaders, that advocate growing inward. They are also generally the same ones talking about greater regionalism. Light rail makes the city look at itself and figure out who it wants to become," Barrett said. In Barrett's view, not much opportunity is left for development outward.

I think the city has learned they must grow upward and not outwardly. At this point where else can they grow? Light rail is still questionable but I am hopeful that most people are tired of traffic and realize mass transit is the key to our future. Also hoping they realize taxes may have to go up to pay for this. At least the city is attempting to buy the right of way.

The most effective political force in the last half decade in Virginia Beach has been the anti-tax, anti-establishment folk that have pushed for less government, less services and of course, less taxes. This somewhat well organized group, led by former City Councilman Robert Dean and his Citizens Action Coalition, helped kill a bond initiative that would have supported better schools and libraries. They got the council to reverse themselves and kill a tiny new phone tax for a similar purpose.

I could be mistaken but I don't see anti tax as big an initiative as before since our roadways are clogged.

If he were running the city, Dean said, his priority would be better schools. But he wouldn't allow for new taxes to fund them. It's true that more money won't necessarily improve schools. But at some point, you have to grapple with the fact that public investment in a range of things is necessary to create a prosperous and balanced society.

To its credit the city now has some of the best schools in the region and spends 50% of its budget towards eduction.

Dean also criticized the new companies the city had brought in, like Geico and Avis, as essentially being low-paying call centers. True enough. But beyond improving education -- without new taxes -- he had no plan for bringing in better companies. He did advocate eliminating the Economic Development department.

I still question the city and it's ability to bring in high paying skilled jobs. I realize the competition is tough against other education cities such as Richmond, Nova and the ever propsering NC cities. The high paying jobs that are entering are region are the result mostly of the government's needs and not necessarily where the city has lured here.

The mayor's speech, and the official policy it represents, shows the tension between the city's desire to be its own master, and the realities of its interconnectedness with everyone else. A coalition has emerged that argue the city should embrace regionalism, but they run up against the city's long history of seeing little gain from working with anyone else.

I think the city better understands the need for more regionalism but with 7 cities and VB being the largest it will probably always be a source somewhat of contention.

A great paragraph:

Virginia Beach might take the lead in regional growth management because it recognizes that as a mature city, it has an interest in restraining outward sprawl, and pushing development inward. Virginia Beach would help establish a regional vision, where the various regional parts play clear roles. Downtown with its role as regional center, with sports stadium and urban living and cultural resources; the outer suburbs with opportunities for green-lawn living and amenities like soccer stadiums and amphitheaters; the resort, which with light rail would have a symbiotic relationship with downtown; the rural areas, that can provide good vegetables and open vistas to the suburban and urban dwellers.

These are only my views and sentiments. If anyone else has something to offer here this could be a lively discussion.

[vdogg]

Virginia Beach could be left high and dry by state plan

The General Assembly is tinkering with a major incentive fund to attract jobs and investment to Virginia, causing trepidation among localities that pitch their assets to companies.

Virginia Beach brass is worried. One plan would eliminate state incentives for their city entirely.

[urbanvb]

That is really horrible news. I hope this plan does not go through. The thing is it truly takes money to take money, NC case in point as mentioned in the article. And the spillover affect can be substantial as when great companies move to certain areas other companies take take notice and a domino effect can happen. You can bet NC has recouped their 21 million dollar output plus gained more businesses.

[vdogg]

Man, where are all the guests coming from tonight. Those fliers must've done more than we thought.

[urbanvb]

Yep, and Johhny told David who told Susie Lynn and ... LOL>

[TBurban]

Hey guys! Im trying to get some friends of mine from New York City to come visit Virginia and my plan was to take them to Virginia Beach Oceanfront. Of course, they asked for pictures of it and Ive searched and searched and found nothing just right. So if anyone has any pictures of Atlantic Avenue or the VA Beach Boardwalk if you could possibly post them that would be fantastic.

[urbanvb]

Hey guys! Im trying to get some friends of mine from New York City to come visit Virginia and my plan was to take them to Virginia Beach Oceanfront. Of course, they asked for pictures of it and Ive searched and searched and found nothing just right. So if anyone has any pictures of Atlantic Avenue or the VA Beach Boardwalk if you could possibly post them that would be fantastic.

I think there are a few here in the photo thread.

[nrdzrool]

woo we made number 7...i had a feeling we'd be somewhere on this list.

cities made for walking

Edited March 8, 2006 by nrdzrool

[Stunad]

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There's been a lot of folks observing this site...what gives? You folks should step out of the shadows and contribute to this site. It's all about people from different backgrounds contributing their differing two cents on various topics.

[urbanvb]

7 User(s) are browsing this forum (6 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)

1 Members: Stunad

There's been a lot of folks observing this site...what gives? You folks should step out of the shadows and contribute to this site. It's all about people from different backgrounds contributing their differing two cents on various topics.

Exactly!

[urbanvb]

Highlights from the Mayor's address will be available on VBTV's Newscan to be shown from 3/17-3/24. Check www.vbgov.com for more info. Also, the Redevelopment team is gathering groups from 8-22 to discuss redevelopment of the city. Not sure if it is ok to post a phone number here but one is given for more info.

[vdogg]

Don't get too excited guys, it's a snoozer. Most of it, as you can imagine, was BRAC oriented and really said nothing we didn't already know. There were no new major developments announced even though we have quite a few getting ready to start construction, she even barely mentioned Town Center. The text is online now on vbgovs front page.

[erdogs]

Don't get too excited guys, it's a snoozer. Most of it, as you can imagine, was BRAC oriented and really said nothing we didn't already know. There were no new major developments announced even though we have quite a few getting ready to start construction, she even barely mentioned Town Center. The text is online now on vbgovs front page.

Thanks Meyora, you never disappoint.