Comcast-Spectacor and Live Nation, two of the nation's leading producers of entertainment, joined Warren Harris, director of the Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development, in a presentation to City Council on August 28th. They have proposed a partnership with the City in the development and operation of an arena adjacent to the Virginia Beach Convention Center. The 18,500-seat arena is estimated to create more than 1,200 new jobs, $98 million in economic impact, and more than 200 sports and entertainment events to the region in the first year. The project team will prepare a term sheet for the City Council to review in October. Comcast-Spectacor has proposed a 25-year lease on the facility and along with Live Nation will oversee the operations and programming of the arena. The company has also committed to pursue a professional sports franchise.

Virginia Beach Arena

18,500-seat /
750,000-square-foot
Arena Proposed for
Virginia Beach

The 19th Street/Central Beach Corridor Project

The Resort Area Master Plan outlines the Central Beach Corridor as a major artery for redevelopment and transportation improvements.

For more information visit the City of Virginia Beach's website on the 19th Street/Central Beach Corridor Project.

Hiltop Strategic Growth Area Plan. . .

For more information visit the City of Virginia Beach's website on the Hiltop Strategic Growth Area Plan.

What's next for the Proposed Convention Center Headquarters Hotel?

Defense Department OKs 180-Foot Hotel and Other Tall Buildings at Resort

Tall buildings are OK at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, including a proposed 180-foot-tall headquarters hotel next to the Virginia Beach Convention Center.

Convention Center Headquarters Hotel

Virginia Beach needs a major hotel next to the Convention Center to compete for large, national conventions. Many other cities that compete with Virginia Beach for conventions - including Louisville, Charlotte, Myrtle Beach, Raleigh, Richmond and Savannah - have such hotels. The city has proposed a 180-foot-tall hotel next to, or connected to, the Convention Center.

For more information visit the City of Virginia Beach's website on the Convention Center Headquarters Hotel Project.

The Dome Site  will feature a variety of entertainment options and a parking garage. Preliminary plans for the site include the tallest Ferris wheel on the east coast, movie theatres, a bowling alley, an ice skating rink, a 2,500-seat Broadway-style theatre, children's amusement rides and much more. The site could also serve as the final destination for the proposed light-rail line.
For more information visit the City of Virginia Beach's website on the Dome Site Project.

The Laskin Road Gateway Project

This project will transform the area surrounding 31st Street and the Oceanfront into an exciting people-gathering place featuring upscale shops, restaurants, hotels and residential buildings - all in a pedestrian-oriented setting. This inviting activity-oriented atmosphere provides the local community, retail customers, hotel guests and other visitors a delightful place to gather, dine, shop, live, work or play in a lively high-quality environment.

For more information visit the City of Virginia Beach's website on the Laskin Road Gateway.

Click here for article in Inside Business.

The Aquarium and Owl Creek District Plan 

The new district will serve as Virginia Beach's cultural and scientific hub. Citizen engagement and market analyses will be incorporated into the planning process. The plan will:

• identify strategies for creating employment and educational opportunities for students and scholars
• increase regional exposure
• attract Aquarium grants and funding potential
• contribute to Virginia Beach's year-round tourist destination branding strategy
• support the convention center's group sales trade

For more information visit the City of Virginia Beach's website on the Aquarium and Owl Creek District Plan.

Reshaping the Resort Area 

The resort area belongs to the people of Virginia Beach. See how the City and its Citizens are working to ensure the Oceanfront is something everyone can enjoy for years to come.

The plan is intended to serve as a tool to increase public awareness, understanding and appreciation of the strategic planning policies established for the Oceanfront Resort Area.

For more information visit the City of Virginia Beach's website on Reshaping the Resort Area.

The Lesner Bridge Replacement Project

This project is for a study to replace the existing Lesner Bridge with a signature facility, including a bike path that is capable of handling six lanes of traffic in the future.

For more information visit the City of Virginia Beach's website on the Lesner Bridge Replacement Project.

Virginia Beach Transit Extension Study

Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) has hired HDR Inc. to provide services for the study of two potential extensions to The Tide, HRT's Light Rail Transit (LRT) system. The first extension under study is a potential fixed guideway connection from the eastern end of The Tide in Norfolk at Newtown Road to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront along the Norfolk Southern Corporation's inactive right of way. The second segment of study is a potential extension of The Tide to Naval Station Norfolk. Fixed guideway projects operate in their own transit right of way.

For more information, visit the City of Virginia Beach's Planning Department website.

JT's Grommet INland - Camp Grom

• A $20 Million State-of-the-Art Beach Style Adventure Camp Venue for EveryBODY
• Extend the Reach adn Success of Grommet Island
• Provide Facilities for those with Special Needs; Creating the Camp Lifestyle and Unique Activities
• Full Day-Use Camp with Small Overnight Camp Component
• One-of-a-kind Adventure and Sport Activity Venue for All
• Provide Interaction Opportunities for those with Disabilities and Able-Bodied Kids and Wounded Warriors

Who will be served?

- America's Heroes - Our Wounded Warriors

2012 Goal Phase 1 - $2,000,000

Click here for more info

Latest Development: Grommet Island Park reopens with new shade canopies installed. Click here to read more.

JT's Grommet Island Beach Park and Playgroung for EveryBODY opened on May 22, 2010.

This 100% handicap accessible oceanfront park is the first of its kind in America. Kids with disabilities are thrilled to access a playground designed to accommodate their wheelchairs. Children can race across the bridge, dig in the sand and explore the playground with ease. Grommet Island is located at 2^nd Street on the boardwalk.

For more information visit the City of Virginia Beach's website on Grommet Island Park.

Official Website

The 61st Street Pump Station

(North Beach Storm Drainage, Pump Station & Ocean Outfall) Project is for design and construction of a gravity trunk line, pump station, ocean outfall and collector system along Atlantic Ave. in the North Beach area between 42nd St. and 68th St. By constructing a pump station at 61st Street, similar to the ones near the resort area and at 79th Street, storm water is more effectively managed, because it is pumped hundreds of yards away from the shore and released into the ocean.

For more information visit the City of Virginia Beach's website on the 61st Street Pump Station Project.

Rudee Loop (Marina District)

The City desires to create a high-density mixed-used private development featuring a four-star hotel, luxury condominiums, upscale dining, specialty retail, public parking, public open space, walkways and bike paths. The walkways and bike paths will incorporate Rudee Walk (an extension of the boardwalk tying into Rudee Inlet and Grommet Island Park).

For more information visit the City of Virginia Beach's website on the Rudee Loop project.

The South Beach Trail Boardwalk

This is the latest addition to the South Beach Trail, an 8-mile multi-use loop trail running from Norfolk Avenue along Pacific Avenue to General Booth Boulevard, Birdneck Road and returning to Norfolk Avenue.

For more information visit the City of Virginia Beach's website South Beach Trail Boardwalk Project.