VIRGINIA BEACH
A Dallas businessman with a theatrical resume received an exclusive eight-month window Tuesday to show city leaders how he'd remake the long-vacant Dome site.
The Virginia Beach Development Authority tapped Leisure and Recreation Concepts Inc. to draft a feasibility study and business plan to transform the Oceanfront site into an entertainment destination.
The Texas company, founded in 1970 by Michael Jenkins, designs and develops tourism projects around the globe. It now will focus on the old Dome location, 8.5 acres straddling 19th Street between Arctic and Pacific avenues.
Last year, Jenkins and a partner bought seven theme parks from Six Flags Inc., adding to their stable of destination sites. Jenkins also is president of Dallas Summer Musicals, which operates a series of touring shows including "Stomp" and "Cats."
"He's got 45 years in the industry," said John Richardson, a Development Authority commissioner. "So he knows what he's talking about."
That talk is all conceptual now, but it has city officials excited.
Jenkins has wooed Beach leaders with talk of a performing arts theater with 2,500 to 3,000 seats that he could fill with Broadway-type shows. He has hinted at a holographic golf course, an indoor hot-air balloon ride and some type of "moving theater."
The enclosed building also could include restaurants and shopping. No details are set, and Jenkins has had to put little in writing.
The city doesn't have to accept his plans, and since
Jenkins will pay for the studies over the next eight months, the city still hasn't committed to spend any money.
"This is an eight-month look-see," Richardson said.
The city began seeking developers interested in the Dome site last summer. Seven groups applied, and the finalists included a partnership between Armada Hoffler and Bruce Smith Enterprise, as well as a local group pushing an extreme sports complex called VB X Park.
City officials have spent the past few months whittling the list down to Jenkins. The City Council has the final say on a developer.
Those involved in the selection committee said Jenkins' professional history, glowing references and financial standing made him most qualified. Another advantage Jenkins has, officials said, was that he runs both consulting and management companies, which Richardson said could result in a "turnkey property."
"The concrete value is his experience all over the world," said Jim Ricketts, director of Virginia Beach's Convention and Visitors Bureau. "He has the ability to put it together."
Authority member Prescott Sherrod questioned why
Jenkins has eight months to do his work. Originally, the city told developers they would have six months.
Steve Herbert, the city's chief development officer, said six months wasn't enough time for the work the Beach wants completed.
"We've waited 20 years," Councilwoman Rosemary Wilson said. "What's eight months?"
Richard Quinn, (757) 222-5119, richard.quinn@pilotonline.com
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Uhrin's Dream
How about we build a super-sized Dairy Queen at that spot?
You have to be kidding...
...just another project the taxpayers of Va Beach will have to pay for. Who cares if the developer is initially paying for the studies, why on earth would we need indoor balloon rides and another performing arts center? What about better roads and better pay for our teachers? No matter how hard they try, the city council cannot make Va Beach into Florida. We are not a 12 month a year tourist destination...we have 5 months at best. I'd suggest putting this to the citizens for a vote...but wait, the last time we did that the council did what they wanted to any way.
Hold their feet to the fire
I noticed that Election Day issue also. I say we ask the questions prior to the election of each candidate. They have already gone on record to 17,000 school & city employees as not having any money. So before we vote, we need to see where each candidate stands on this issue and the new convention center hotel, light rail Row and other pending projects.
I like the city council members but even I have to question voting for those who say on one hand "there is no money" but on the other hand "yes we can fund these projects." Virginia Beach folks are not as dumb as they think we are...
VERY GOOD!
nice observation "aalto"...they're gonna hold this little cesspool until after the election, nice catch....
Look out!
Hold on to your wallets VB taxpayers, here comes another public/private development! Amazing how they give 8 months to design. Humm...that's just after elections are over, so no council member has to come out and offer tax dollars just prior to election. Shady at best!
Didn't the taxpayers get swindled to build a theater at Twon Center? $25 million I think. Why do we need another one to fail?
Let the money roll!!!!!....out the door...
Lets see, you(its not my town!!!) LOSE prime parking, that is ALWAYS full and giving easy CASH to the city. You are going to SPEND(probably to the contractors that the City Cronies(errr council) approve) for a building that DOES NOT fit at all at an oceanfront resort area. Smart, reallll smart. While you are at it, make sure to make it a 35 story building that will make it even easier for the jets to leave, while you are at it. Might as well completely flush this area down the toilet.
Hot Air Balloons!!!
Sounds like city council is full of hot air again with something as silly as an indoor hotair baloons.
Hot Air Balloon Ride Indoors?
So they're turning this into the Runnymeade Headquarters? Or is this the new City Government Building? It seems there is a ton of hot air to be had at these locations, indoors ;-)
they'd be better off
they'd be better off building one of these...
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/11/fashion/11inspa.html?_r=1&scp=3&sq=korean&st=nyt&oref=slogin
indoor baloon rides??
"an indoor hot-air balloon ride" Oh sign me up for that!!
Hold on to Your Wallets
Here come some shiny suit carney men selling carnival midway rides to the Va Beach bumpkins while the Council spends taxpayer's money for this "development" of the dome site. What happened to the bungee jump arch located at Rudee Inlet? The same faddish gimmickry will be sold to the City at taxpayers expense. May be we will get another 40 foot fiberglass gorilla.
Nooo! Not a motion base simulator
Motion base simulators are old-hat. You buying Questor from Busch Garden's attic? An OUTDOOR MOVIE THEATER would be cool (except for the bugs attracted to the projection light). This sort of sounds like Funscape that used to exist in Chesapeake, only without pinball machines (Go go Flipper McCoys, except the red light above "Monster Bash" reflects off the playfield glass and blinds the players!). I think they just hire these guys to get their own resume out, so they can bail from the city later and go work for elsewhere.
Window????
an 8 month window - - -imagine that.
Just sell it and save the taxpayers.
Taxpayer chastity belt - -imagine that.
I have an idea!
How about a Dixie Stampede? Oh, wait, never mind...
Who wants to ride in a hot
Who wants to ride in a hot air balloon indoors?
it's just a concept
The article states that the city has not accepted his plan. It's only a concept. Why couldn't we have an a 2500 seat venue there? Just look at Norfolk. You have Chrysler Hall next to Scope which is close to the Harrison Opera House and not far from the Norva. People were just complaining about how lousy VA Beach is compared to Myrtle Beach. This very well could turn out to be something great for the city.
How much more hot air do we need?
A "2,500-seat performing arts theater" by the boardwalk? Didn't we just foot the bill for the "Virginia Beach Taxpayers Center for the Performing Arts" in the Town Center? Oh, Sandler...right....sorry. Why do we need another one not ten miles away?
good development
Build it and they will come.Virginia Beach is really tired when it comes to top notch entertainment.I think other resort areas on the east coast have much more to offer.We need Hampton Roads to stand out like Charlotte North Carolina does.Twenty years ago Charlotte and Hampton Roads were pretty similar in demographics and character.Now Charlotte seems like New York compared to Hampton Roads.
repeat after me...
say "generous campaign contribution"...over and over and over...maybe with the "public money" that we're going to be told about next...