The Virginian-Pilot
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VIRGINIA BEACH
The City Council has decided to spend an additional $6.8 million to finish the Laskin Road Gateway, an infrastructure revitalization project near the Oceanfront that has come in about 45 percent over its original budget.
In an 8-2 vote Tuesday, the council members agreed to transfer money from other transportation projects - some that are lower on the priority list and others that have been completed and have money left over - to cover the increased costs.
"I'm sorry we're in this predicament," Mayor Will Sessoms said. "Every now and then, these things happen."
Councilmen Bob Dyer and Bill DeSteph voted against the transfer. Both said their opposition was designed to send a message to Beach officials that when a project's scope increases, council members should be informed earlier.
"If we're not going to be informed, we don't need to be here," DeSteph said.
The Laskin Road Gateway started as a $27.5 million project in 2009. Its cost is now estimated at nearly $40 million.
The price tag grew because utilities were buried, more sewer work had to be done, a park was added at the entrance to the gateway, the city had to buy more property than engineers anticipated, and officials want to raise a bridge to relieve flooding problems, Deputy City Manager Dave Hansen has said.
Several of those issues weren't in the original Laskin Road Gateway plan.
The project is an attempt by the city to spur economic development and replace aging infrastructure near the Oceanfront.
The city launched the project to help developers Bruce Thompson and Gordon Huey as they upgraded a block at Pacific Avenue and Laskin Road, which becomes 31st Street at the Oceanfront, with a $72 million mixed-use complex called 31Ocean.
Beach officials said the work also would create a more pedestrian-friendly neighborhood that would attract tourists and more private developers to invest and modernize the resort.
Naomi Moore, a resident of Elizabeth River Shores in western Virginia Beach, spoke against the fund transfer. She said council members should invest more in neighborhoods like hers that experience flooding problems during storms.
"We need some consideration from council," Moore said.
Deirdre Fernandes, (757) 222-5121, deirdre.fernandes@pilotonline.com
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...just wondering if that $6 million includes a sludge site?
....that Laskin Rd. area has been promoted around the neighborhoods for well over a year showing a new dredged sludge transfer facility -- is that part of the package? Heard they're building a facility to do some dredging but sounds like that'll disappear when they're finished. Sounds like City Staff forgot to put the muck site on the drawings... or just where is that Laskin Rd. site on the virtual bubble chart going to be?
Frankly, the fact that this
Frankly, the fact that this is news speaks well of the city's management of the numerous projects that occur in Virginia Beach. The roads and infrastructure in this area were in dire need of work, the sewer and water lines were built by the original Town of Virginia Beach. The flooding on Pinwood Road was ridiculous. Due to neighborhood concerns, additional costs were incurred to mitigate the impacts to residents. Sounds like the city tried to do the right thing for the people.
The Tasks Mentioned are Core Necessities, Regardless
Failure of CoVB to upgrade/correct/expand sanitary collection and conveyance systems unless and until a perceived greater purpose arrives is absolute failure of CoVB to ensure the health/well being of its citizens, a core service. Why did those aspects linger on a design table until now, they should have been performed more than a decade ago. Inflow/infiltration of storm water into those vital underground features and structures allow hydraulic overloading leading perhaps to unnecessary dosing of nearshore beach waters and tributaries of the bay with untreated sewage. If we need to wait until a favored developer desires an upgrade for special projects, then leadership of this city is sorely lacking and must be replaced. Vote in November!
$@#& HAPPENS!
Things Happen? C'mon, Mayor, there must be some better reason that we blew the estimates.In these tough economic times the Council is asking taxpayers to spend, spend, spend, on city projects that ONLY benefit a few friends. If our kids blow their allowances on candy and soda do we give them more money for the movies and video games? Just Say NO! They'll find a way to get what they want. Isn't this supposed to be a partnership? Maybe the scope of the project needs to be re-evaluated, or the City's partnership percentage. This was laid out to resemble a TRIDENT like Neptune's? Wasn't there some idea that putting in a traffic circle might require additional land?And a park in the middle when it's already difficult to cross the street?C'mon
lots of things
not passing the "smell test" in vb lately IMO. ELECTIONS COMING SOON...VoTe!!
Lots of stuff is start'n to smell.....
....take your pick...hidden and unexpected costs are being approved by council....just make it an amendment and voila' - it's approved to be funded. Wake up Virginia Beach - you're the funding source... needs to be some changes in this old town. Where's that open and transparent gov'ment?
Really?!?
Who would have thunk it?
Shut up and pay your increased taxes this year sheeple!!!
Keep voting for the incompetent, connected and corrupt... then expect different results…LMAO!
Crazy positions
Actually danno, the average taxpayer at the Beach will pay less this year, not more. This project will create private wealth that will more than meet the debt service for the repair of this damaged infrastructure. Surprising the the obnoxious officers of the moribund VBTA have been silent. I guess their former President John Moss wants to stay out of hot water on this and light rail issues since the large majority of our citizens understand the positive fiscal benefits of the resort, of light rail, and of investment in PPVs. The last think Moss needs is to be further identified with the crazy recommendations of the moribund VBTA, like firing all blue collar city and school board workers, closing schools, museums, rec centers, etc.
Share with us some new numbers, please
Enlighten us common knuckle-draggers on the facts of the off season. What approximately is the median occupany rate of the resort area hotels and time shares between, say October 1 and March 31-any year will do. Month by month would be excellent, the entire period a start. Don't add Sect. 8 housing for hotels where that might be the only way they keep their doors open during winter, brrrr cold. If that number is greater than 16%, you might have my ear on more expenditures for the favored few in this city. If less, that says a whole bunch more. There are many that appreciate improvements, including me, but at what expense to core necessities of the entire city. If the resort area payed its way, parking for locals would be slight, or even free.
Well it's funny that His
Well it's funny that His Moribundship claims that beach residents will pay less. Apparently he have selective amnesia with respect to the implementation of the new VB trash fee and also rate increases in sewer maintenance. These are functions of government. Bailing out Bruce Thompson because he expanded the scope of the project is another. In addition there are road projects which His Moribundship constantly whines about that will be put off because money was seized for the expanded scope of developers project. Hmmmm. His Moribund ship wants it both ways. Then there is $1.6BIL for LRT, the anchor hotel, and the dome site. No money for local neighborhoods. Vote for John Moss to remove special interest from city council. Time for a change.