VIRGINIA BEACH
A major league plan to build an indoor sports complex for amateur athletes took another step forward Tuesday when a city agency agreed to sell the land the facility needs.
The Virginia Beach Development Authority voted to sell 7 acres at Dam Neck and Landstown roads for $875,000 to a group comp osed of current and former Major League Baseball players. The group, 7 Cities Development Co. LLC, also has an option to buy an additional 3 acres of adjacent land.
The deal needs City Council approval, which could happen this summer.
Plans show a venue where baseball players could train on a regulation-size infield, and batting and pitching tunnels. The proposal also calls for a sports therapy component to help amateurs in different sports improve their agility, and physical rehabilitation.
Councilwoman Rosemary Wilson, who sits on the authority board, said the complex is an extension of the athletic village concept at Princess Anne Commons, a development corridor along Princess Anne Road.
The proposal dovetails with the city's desire to be a "mecca for amateur sports," Wilson added. "This really complements all that we're doing. We're all pretty excited they've chosen Virginia Beach."
Tim Hummel, a retired major leaguer who played at Old Dominion University, said his group chose the Beach because "this is everybody's hometown." Hummel's partners include current MLB stars and locals B.J. and Justin Upton, Ryan Zimmerman and Michael Cuddyer.
Hummel added Tuesday that 7 Cities is confident the plans, which could cost more than $10 million to build, will attract top talent from around the region.
Steve Herbert, Virginia Beach's chief development officer, said investment by 7 Cities may entice more companies to Princess Anne Commons.
Richard Quinn, (757) 222-5119, richard.quinn@pilotonline.com
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the only problem with the
the only problem with the city selling off the land to devolopers is that there track record (town center sports plex to name a few) they sell it at a giveaway price after the tax incentives are factored in
what happened??!!
According to a regular contributor to our online responses, development is just impossible without public/private partnerships. What happened here?? Someone wants to develop property witout sticking out a hand to the taxpayers??...Gee this might set a bad precedent...
I don't get it
The sportsplex sits empty yet the city council once again wants to take away another park.
This is how the city should do all developments
There is no need for the city to own all this land for no reason. The city should sell all of its land not being used for proper government functions to developers to do with as they please, no subsidies.
Health Care
Is Sentara still demanding and oprdering the city that they have to make Sentara the only health care provider available to the players at the sports arena? Is city council going to cave into Sentara's demand to get rid of the NYSL soccer fields so they can build their hospital? I already know my answer. Yes to both. VB council will do whatever Sentara tells them to do.
As long as there is no
As long as there is no public money needed to build it, maintain it, or subsidize it. Go for it.
How about local use?
Will local community groups be able to use these facilities or are they just private "farms" to develop minor and major league talent from areas outside VA Beach. If we give them this land deal we should get something out of the deal for our local high schools, sports associations, and colleges. Maybe training clinics? Dangers of Steriods classes? I want to see a long term dove tail that benefits local folks too. A local community outreach from this group would be helpful