Passage of light-rail proposal met with awe

Let's see how well Norfolk does with its effort. The LRT system can be added to: it doesn't have to be built all at once, even though it would most likely be cheaper that way. Lines going from EVMS up to ODU and then on to the Naval Base would be great. Even better would be to have an elevated line that does follow I64 with a definite branch line going directly to the airport - I can see a lot of people using that. Branch lines could be created going out to the VB TCC complex and amphitheater then down to the court house. Others could be added going up Great Neck. The trick is to get the lines to where the people go to and from and placing the stations correctly. And there's another big benefit: fewer cars on the road mean less air pollution. It could turn out to be a win - win situation for all of Hampton Roads.

You refer to the Navy base and Transportation relief.

I stated the voters selected no to LRT due to the poor decisions of norfolk and HRT in the choice of a "starter" line. What does that have to do with the statements you claim the VM has made?

According to aalto, "200+ years ago the citizens of the United States voted to give the citizens of VB the right to vote against light rail."

Hmmmm..... I wasn't born but I had no idea light rail was even an issue in Virginia Beach 200 years ago......

Reread what you said about the Navy base in your "Unfortunately No" post.

Henry, You blasted me ... I quote "2. Your comment about redevelopment is flat-out wrong", yet I provided documented proof that both the chairman of HRT and the President/CEO state LRT is for economic development. Why do you change topic?

What is the position of VB council then?

Does the VM speak for the city now?

Is that the "official" position of VB?

Is VB looking to spending over $230+ million of tax dollars to "generate economic development" as norfolk states?

On at least two occassions has stated that Virginia Beach should not build light rail without the Naval base and ODU.

http://www.ridethetide.com/pressroom/newsletter/Newsletter_Norfolk_LRT_April_2003.pdf

A word from Chairman Randy Wright (norfolk councilman) "Generate economic development at key sites and serve as a catalylst for increased growth among business"

No where does he state anything about reducing traffic congestion.

Per Michael Townes, President/CEO of HRT "enhance the continued development and redeveopment of the city of norfolk" (just norfolk? #1 priority)

Not once in that press release does either of the "leaders" of HRT say anything about reduction of traffic congestion.

You must be that daft. Or can't read. I did not state that 200+ years ago citizens voted to allow light rail referenda, I stated that 200+ years ago citizens voted to give the people the right to tell government what they wanted. Do the words "of the people, by the people, and for the people" actually scare you that much?

Just because norfolk has not rezoned the land, the published intent was to encourage redevelopment along the rail line. That is a statement of fact.

Where is it published that VB is pressing norfolk for anything? Seems norfolk controls what HRT does, and HRT does what norfolk says. If there is any precondition to LRT in VB, why is that not made public?

Sit down and have a glass of water; you're starting to sound as looney as Reid Greenmun. (I know you're not that daft.)

1. "200+ years ago" the United States voted to require light rail referenda?!? Pray tell, what history book did you pull THAT out of?
Trains weren't even running until the 19th Century.

2. Your comment about redevelopment is flat-out wrong: Norfolk still has yet to rezone the land along their portion of the Norfolk Southern Corridor.

3. Virginia Beach is pressing Norfolk to build LRT EVMS to Naval base via ODU as a precondition for us to build.

We would not be branching off toward the Nval Base. Norfolk had made it clear that their choo-choo was not really intended to be a solution to transportation, but to create development incentives along the rail route. And they were hoping to entice visitors from the oceanfront into their mall. If this was to be true transportation relief, the "starter" line would indeed have been a transportation alternative, and gone to the Naval base. I-64 is the major choke-point in Tidewater, so to prove the benefit of light rail, they would have chosen the most congested problem area to resolve. Instead they choose a tourist train. VB voted to not ride the tide of failure.

Two tourists robbed at gunpoint in Virginia Beach
By Shawn Day
The Virginian-Pilot
© July 29, 2008
VIRGINIA BEACH

Police are investigating the armed robbery late Sunday of two New Yorkers walking near the Oceanfront.

The two men were walking along Pacific Avenue at 26th Street when two other men in a nearby dark area motioned for them to come over, said Margie Long, a Virginia Beach police spokeswoman.

The four exchanged small talk before one man pulled a handgun and demanded money from the two New Yorkers, Long said.

The two robbers took $246 and debit cards and ran west on 26th Street. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP (1-888-562-5887).

I live in VB and I have been for light rail for the last 10+ years. My understanding of why VB voted against it was because it didn't go to NOB. If they had voted for it, we would now be branching off the main line to NOB, Hampton or Portsmouth (no tunnel traffic), etc. The longer we wait, the more expensive it gets. Sitting in traffic is not the answer. More roads is not the answer. Mass transit is the answer and this is the second step in the right direction (Norfolk took the first step). You have to start somewhere or nothing will ever get done.

VB Sportplex-What a waste of taxpayer money!
Center for the arts- Everyone knows that if you want artsy entertainment, you head to Norfolk.

Of course if the Light Rail line would run all the way to the beach and all the way to the Navel Station then it would make sense. Does this rail line go by ODU? What purpose does it serve to just go to the Eastern Virginia Medical School?

More importantly, one of the posters made a good point. This line runs East West...what about North-South?

"Regardless of past, present, or future, the citizens voices were and are heard".........

Yes, they were heard but a lot has chanced in 10 years......!!!! 10 Years ago, light rail was just a concept with a price tag... It will now become reality in a couple of years in Norfolk and with time, arrive in Va. Beach. Other than the negative comments I have read here on PilotOnline, I have yet to hear any LARGE group(s) of Va. Beach residents complaining about the proposed light rail extension to Virginia Beach......

200+ years ago the citizens of the United States voted to give the citizens of VB the right to vote against light rail. The price of gas does not take that right, or that decision, away. Regardless of past, present, or future, the citizens voices were and are heard. If tata truly believes in the oath of office he took, he would give up his dictatorship rhetoric and ask the citizens if they have indeed changed their mind. The urbanized areas of Virginia Beach need to get used to it.

The elected representative needs to realize that the average joe is the one that put him there. And can remove him as well. Time to clean house and senate of the career politicians.

10+ years ago, the citizens of Virginia Beach voted against Light Rail. 10 years later, gas prices are much higher, the economy is down and the thought of Light Rail in Virginia Beach is now becoming quite attractive.... As I see it, the only people who are complaining on this topic are those who wish to live in the PAST!!! The Norfolk/Virginia Beach area is slowly progressing. Get use to it because you cannot stop it. Other than the "anti-light rail in Virginia Beach" comments made on PilotOnline, I have yet to see any large community protests about Light Rail reported in Virginia Beach.

And to the comments made by RobertJ, truly ignorant........

The nice thing about representative democracy is that every now and then it actually works as intended, allowing elected representatives step back at look at a situation with a wider perspective, maybe learn more about that situation than the average Joe usually bothers to, and make decision that may be unpopular with some, may have even barely failed a referendum vote a decade ago, yet will undoubtedly benefit the region as a whole.

Progress takes time people. You know this is the right direction to go. You know in order for VA Beach to become anything recognizably lucrative on the east coast we need improvments like this. Seclusionist need to be better informed about the benifits. Business will improve. If your not a business owner recognize that with improved business infrastructure improves because of a larger tax base. More tax revenue means better stuff for you to be proud of here. This whole area Hampton Roads needs a wake up call. Get educated!

I see several of you have issues about criminal minded riff-raff trickling into your pristine, crimeless utopian society. Maybe you should just build a huge moat around your city! How does not having an additional transportation option not benefit the region? If the energy crisis got so bad that fuel had to be rationed have you thought about how else you plan on getting closer to where you work? Sure, the line might not run to where you want it to "right now" but spurs will be added in the future. You can build more highways, more tunnels, more lanes and even add more buses but then you still have the issue of more vehicles putting out more pollution. Then the same NIMBY's will accuse their representatives of not doing something to avoid the damage to the environment. Face it VB, you are no longer a quiet bedroom suburb. You are the most populous city in the state and a major part of Hampton Roads community. Quit being anti-social, you are not that cute.

like, the red that we will be in when you decide to tax the people of Virginia Beach, the people who don't want the light rail. We need a fix, but this is definitely not it.

We have traffic issues, which are highest during rush hour and tourism season. The light rail will run from East to West, not north to south, or have finger stations to move people north or south. The only people I see taking this will be those who live and work right off the route. How many people who are supporting this do? I live three miles south of the proposed rail line, and I work 1.5 miles away from the closest Norfolk station, which is like most people who sit in the daily traffic mess. Tata is an idiot and must go, and anyone on the VB city council that supports this must also go. Uhrin is just hoping that the rail will bring in more people to the oceanfront so he can make more money and the Mayor is out to lunch. Speak up people before it is to late or if you think that your property taxes are high now, just wait.

I agree that the "next" path they should investigate if the first 2 work out is down 64. I think there is a great demand to have light rail run from at least the Greenbirer area all the way down through the base. If our goal is to reduce traffic on the roads, that is the next big area people I know commute from... The Convention Center seems more aimed at people going to play, not to work.

BTW... Has anybody noticed that there is NO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION to the Norfolk Airport? You can ride a bus to the corner of Military and Norview, but that is a long way to walk with luggage... And did you also know that if you don't live far enough away, the taxis don't want to pick you up either. It'd be nice to see at least a connection with a bus that will drop you off at the terminal.

You expected Tata to be any different than our other elected officials? He's needing to brown his nose up also so he can survive. It will be many years, far too many to do any of us reading this article, any good by the limited minds and rail lines. It's a start but almost embarrassing how small the thinking is. This is a "just getting foot in the door type operation." I'd like nothing more than to be able to hop on a line and get to the most important places I might need as an area citizen. Major work hubs, as mentioned, downtown, any downtown, bases, even a destination for picking up the NC line possibly.

Bob Tata is my new hero! only a dummy would object to this study for light rail...THANK YOU BOB TATA..PETER FROM NORFOLK

So tata jumps around like a giddy school-girl over the passage of a bill that has no teeth, no funding, no support of the citizens, and does not fix anything. But still will cost the taxpayer money. Is this his half-baked idea of doing something for transportation? We paid the GA to fix the transportation mess, and this is the best they can come up with?

Heck, the last idea the RINO's had was deemed unconstutional. VB voters do not want to ride the tide of failure. But tata ignores the Constution and in his dictatorship vision of government, does what he wants, voter be darned. Bet this little joke shows up as a positive step toward transportation resolution on his campaign flyers. We need thinkers, doers, not career politicians in richmond.

As I do live in Virginia Beach an I do not and will never want light rail to come to the beach. I say to keep the not so nice people of Norfolk out of Virginia Beach. I know of a lot of good use for that money.

As a resident of Portsmouth, I am happy to see the extension of public transportation across the region. Light rail provides an expandable means of increasing the movement of people in our interconnected communities. Certainly, the initial route will not meet everyone's need, but it lays the foundation for future growth. None of the great public transportation systems, domestic or international, was built in a day. We are better off getting started, though, before the opportunity eludes us. Delegate Tata's initiative was not the best way to build community support; it has, however, garnered preliminary backing in the General Assembly, which is no mean feat. Four dollar a gallon gasoline is here now, and five, six, or seven won't be far behind. Let's get in gear with sensible transportation solutions.

Tata should have known better since this very expensive "Ride to the Beach" that the Voters did NOT want, will haunt the taxpayers for a long time!

Certainly would have been much better to have a Light Rail that actually takes people from where they are to Jobs i.e. Shipyard, Naval Base, Ports, and other businesses along the way from the NC state line all the way to Norfolk Naval Base.

A shot down I64 with an elevated Light Rail would be a thought.

And yes, I know that I64 does not go all the way to the NC line but something could be worked out to get the line to I64 from NC State Line.

Rant off

Sad to think that our elected representative, Delegate Tata, can introduce such a bill when WE, the voters of Virginia Beach, told him we DO NOT WANT. Sad that he has lost sight of his sworn duty, sad that we were so very duped by him at election time. Sad and embarrassing for the voters.