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IN 1999, a week after a referendum in which Virginia Beach voters rejected light rail by a 55-45 margin, the City Council unequivocally resolved to keep the transit system out of Virginia Beach.
The city "will not participate further in the project," the resolution said. "No substantial portion of the project shall be located within the city of Virginia Beach." The unanimous council sent a certified copy to Hampton Roads Transit to make sure the regional agency got the message.
"You are dead to us," it might as well have said.
The resolution came after years of city leaders hemming and hawing over mass transit but failing to lobby for it or pursue it aggressively. After Beach voters rejected the idea - voting it down by a smaller margin than the 2002 sales tax referendum - the city has taken a few tentative steps toward light rail but refused to embrace it.
Now, as Norfolk builds a 7.4-mile rail line to Virginia Beach's border, residents and tourists who might have taken the train to the Beach's hotspots are idling in traffic and wondering how Virginia's largest city could be so far behind.
In the time since the 1999 referendum, Town Center has opened and thrived. Ditto for Norfolk's MacArthur Center. Downtown Norfolk has become a destination.
In 2003, the Beach City Council, which began to see the potential benefits of a transportation system not entirely dependent on the automobile, unanimously agreed to negotiate with HRT and Norfolk Southern for the company's rail right of way. But the city refused to commit to using the property for light rail.
Even now, as Virginia Beach asserts that acquiring the right of way is a top city priority, it stops short of saying the property will be used for light rail.
Last month, frustrated by the city's lack of movement, Del. Bob Tata, a Beach Republican, introduced a bill to extend Norfolk's light rail line to the resort area. "It's time," he said.
He's right. While Virginia Beach has written light rail into its long-term plans for the resort area, the convention center and Town Center, it continues to hedge on endorsing this vital extension of rail through the city.
In fact, the Beach's top public infrastructure project, according to Mayor Meyera Oberndorf's Web site, is the proposed Southeastern Parkway, a political priority that's out of touch with the times.
City leaders say they have committed to light rail. They say they're negotiating for the right of way. But they've been saying that for years. They have yet to send a clear, unambiguous signal that they're on board with light rail.
The city must rescind that 1999 resolution, which Oberndorf and council members Louis Jones, Barbara Henley and Reba McClanan - and then-Vice Mayor Will Sessoms, now running for mayor - approved.
It's past time for the city to step up, publicly commit to bringing this critical mass transit system to the Beach and set a timetable for when and how it will happen.
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Well actually Keith, the
Well actually Keith, the political leadership was not bound by the advisory referendum then, so they are certainly not bound by it now. I have frequently posted Walter Lippman's definition of the public interest which is what one would seek if they could see clearly, think rationally, and act dispassionately. I try to hold my own views to that standard, and admit that I frequently do not live up to it. That said, in this case, and given the end of greenfield development at the Beach and the market driven desire for residential options on transportation corridors, I think transit oriented development like light rail which will not only provide alternative public transit but which will also hasten the conversion of lower value industrial property to mixed use communities, is in the public interest.
Mr. Barrett
You stated in a previous post "To say that today's citizens are bound by a advisory referendum in which I believe less than 20% of registered voters participated is absurd on its face. Fact is, today's elected officials are bound by their oath of office to pursue the public interest. Regretfully, public opinion prevailed last time as most political leaders simply say out the referendum". Well 20% of the registered voters showed up to voice their opinion which, over your objection apparently prevailed. The ones who did not show up have to live with the results. As for the "what's in the public interest" line you keep bringing up, it appears to this writer that if it isn't what Mike Barrett agrees with, then it isn't in the public interest. As before Mr. Barrett, run for office on your platform of new taxes and fees.
Well actually, I think you
Well actually, I think you misread the posts by me and others. In many respects, I have espoused some of the same views expressed by Tabor in regard to who pays for the improvements. Transit oriented development will stimulate revitalization of the I-264 corridor as low value industrial property is converted to multi use, higher density business and residential property. The property owners in and adjacent to the corridor will make private investments that will increase the value of this real estate by a factor of 20 to 50 times, and will therefore pay real estate and other taxes that will go the city and state government. In this way, it is the TOD that meets the needs of citizens and which provides a boost to tax revenue to help pay for the transit improvements. Not a bad formula.
Light Rail
Well, it is funny that Mr. Barrett mentions polls on transportation issues and uses stats on a percentage that agree with his argument about raising taxes and fees and then and poo-poos the same stats when they disagree about light rail. Fact is that light rail is not being built to transport people where they NEED to go, but rather than where the business community wants them to go. If it were being built to reduce traffic congestion as some proponents have suggested, then the tracks would start at Gate 2 of the Naval Base and work out from there or at the shipyards. As I understand it, there was a train station at Gate 2 years ago. I would support light rail if NOB was the primary project and not a secondary. As Doc Tabor suggested, let the voters who have to pay for this gravy train be heard.
I will never forget the day
I will never forget the day in the mid 1980's that I had arranged for Jim Echols, the executive director of HRT, to present the potential for light rail to the V.B. Innkeepers. A similar story to the one just posted herein was relayed out loud by one of the participants, and the meeting went downhill from there. Now, of course, we live in a more enlightened time, and in fact, the organization now called the V.B. Motel/Hotel Association, is in support of light rail. It is amazing what a community can do with progressive leadership that understands the value of communication and transportation. In fact, transit oriented development in the Beach District will benefit the visitors, but it will create high value revitalization of Beach District neighborhoods as well.
Bet anyone?
I bet a million bucks crime in VB will increase at least 20% if and when this light rail is built. Take a look at the news stories already. I'd say a least 60% of VB crime is committed by non VB residents. Yet here we are, about to give them an easier and cheaper avenue into our city. I'm not saying don't build it because of this (even though I am against the whole thing), but I hope everyone is ready for ALL that light rail will bring to the city...and not just the positives.
Well and of course no one is
Well and of course no one is suggesting that the city enter into a contract to build a system at any cost. The point is, there is a difference between policy leadership and management of the municipal corporation. It is up to elected leaders to exercise strategic vision and long term planning to ensure the community can grow and prosper. It is up to management to carry out the vision and policy of the city council. We look to those seeking office to show us the way as they envision it. For Moss, and some on council today, this is basically to say no to just about every initiative. That is not leadership, that is ducking responsibility. The last thing we need on Council is another No vote.
Clear
Some of the candidates do not express the same sessoms/tata viewpoint that we must spend hundreds of millions on a choo-choo without knowing the construction costs, ROI, maintenance, support and most of all a feel for ridership. I don't think anyone has stated they are completely against light rail, just want to have cooler heads prevail, and ensure due diligence before commiting precious taxpayer dollars to an endevor that might or might not be the right answer. Most call that a fiduciary responsibility, of which many current council memebers lack knowledge of.
"defined as a relationship imposed by law where someone has voluntarily agreed to act in the capacity of "caretaker" of another's rights, assets and/or well being. The fiduciary owes an obligation to carry out the responsibilities with the utmost degree of good faith, honesty, integrity, loyalty and undivided service of t
Open Letter
"Mike, I checked the moss4mayor.com WEB site and he does not state that he supports light rail as you imply."
He may want to be clear on it. There are going to be a lot of young voters registering this year. I think you are going to find most Gen X'ers down to the current crop have a different view on this issue than the Baby Boomers who are against it.
This one may follow any politician for a long time. Hind sight will be kicking them in the rear for eternity.
I do make a distinction
I do make a distinction between an advisory referendum, which of course, is advisory, and the election of members of council. I wish more would show up, and I think more will this November. That said, the ordinances passed by our council are the law and must be obeyed. Light rail is an appropriate and necessary response to the changing requirements for communities. Greenfield development is essentially over, and we need more compact communities with services readily available by means of transportation other than the auto. Mass transit is the answer, and an integrated light rail, bus, rail and airport system will be an essential feature of progressive and intelligent communities. I certainly support such initiatives.