The Virginian-Pilot
©
VIRGINIA BEACH
A proposal to build a $109 million, four-star Hyatt hotel next to the Virginia Beach Convention Center got its first public airing Tuesday night, but a divided City Council offered little new insight on how it might vote on the project.
Five council members have already come out against the public-private partnership between the city and developer Armada Hoffler. Six votes on the 11-member body would defeat the project.
While Tuesday's briefing from city officials was a repeat for City Council members who'd seen the presentation at least once before in closed session, it was the first discussion before the public. The briefing sets the stage for a Dec. 13 public hearing on the project.
The Beach has been trying to get a hotel built next to the conference center for four years, contending that the city loses convention business because it lacks one.
"We are clearly losing ground," Deputy City Manager Steve Herbert said during the presentation.
Under the terms of the deal, the city initially would contribute $61.8 million to help developer Armada Hoffler build a 15-floor, 361-room Hyatt Regency hotel, additional city-owned conference space, and a pedestrian bridge to connect them to the convention center. The city would also award the developer $4.8 million in grants and pay a $450,000 annual management fee. Armada Hoffler would contribute $47.4 million up front and repay $19.1 million in city loans.
City officials said the hotel and additional conference space would create jobs, bring in more convention center events, generate property taxes, and boost spending in the city by $88.7 million a year.
Some council members were skeptical.
"It's incumbent on us to have a project that reflects the realities of the economy," Councilman Bob Dyer said. "I just have trouble agreeing with the crystal ball projections and the revenues we'll generate."
A competing proposal to transform the existing DoubleTree Hotel near the convention center into the city's convention hotel is gaining traction among some council members.
Armada Hoffler CEO and President Lou Haddad said during the presentation that his company is interested in doing the project, in part, because of the city's vision to turn the Beach into a "world-class destination."
Aaron Applegate, (757) 222-5122, aaron.applegate@pilotonline.com
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Personal attackers - AKA "Snipers"
Mr. Barrett writes:
"The problem with participating on this and other forums under your own name is that you have to respond to anonymous posts that make outrageous claims without one wit of credence."
Welcome to my world Mike.
These forums are filled with nasty comments from those who support the business lobby's agenda yet hide behind false names.
I have always used my own name when posting here and on TalkNet.
More damage control
Well I see His Moribundship is doing damage control and spin to justify this rip off deal for the taxpayers. That's typical of course. This moribund boo-bird opines that His Moribundship does not understand the true function of government. Second of all his defense is if it will cost $60MIL of the taxpayers money, and make developers rich, then it must be wonderful.
Barrett is a Developer
His company Runnymede has financial gains from this project,he even admitted it by not answering a few direct question from myself. Those questions are, Is Barrett a paid lobbyist for developments in Hampton Roads? Does Barrett stand to gain financially from this project? Much to my chagrin, Barrett replied back that my question was not taken seriously by him,(Mike Barrett).
Filter out bunk
The problem with participating on this and other forums under your own name is that you have to respond to anonymous posts that make outrageous claims without one wit of credence. Regretfully, to some, if it is posted, it is true. I have found that those who stand by their comments and who have real knowledge are the citizens whose opinion should be taken seriously. Others, like the poster I am responding to, and others like lowwagecity, etc. hide behind their anonymity and feel free to lie, to exaggerate, to misinform, and to slander those with the guts to post under their name and subject themselves to this idiotic behavior. That said, a public forum can inform, enlighten, and illuminate, but only if participants can filter out bunk.
You Should Tag Yourself - TheKeyboardKid. or TKK for Short
At times, it may be necessary for some to respond to nonsense from behind the veil of anonimity. They may be those sitting across the office from your desk, or across the office from the city manager or any number of others with thoughts and missions different from those disputed within this forum. Regardless of the associated tags, many that read these posts daily sorta figure out who the real players might be. Ya know, TKK sounds too much like tick - Ok, now that might work well for your tag, but would still identify your affiliation with those seeking to drain our city of its life blood. Have you asked Santa Claus for a new keyboard yet? Funny stuff you type TKK.
Worthless
So PuddinPop, I have to assume that is not your real name, you expect a serious answer despite the fact that you hide as an anonymous poster? Most of the critics herein do exactly the same; Frankly, I dismiss any comment they make. If a poster can't stand behind their comment, it is a worthless comment by definition.
Well join the club Mike
Most dismiss every comment you make. Anonymous or not. You need to stop being the whipping boy Mike. That hole is getting deeper and deeper. Pretty soon you'll be in Poland.
Comment deleted
Comment removed for rules violation. Reason: Post continued, repeated
Barrett is a Developer
His company Runnymede has financial gains from this project,he even admitted it by not answering a few direct question from myself. Those questions are, Is Barrett a paid lobbyist for developments in Hampton Roads? Does Barrett stand to gain financially from this project? Much to my chagrin, Barrett replied back that my question was not taken seriously by him,(Mike Barrett).
Barrett is a Developer
His company Runnymede has financial gains from this project,he even admitted it by not answering a few direct question from myself. Those questions are, Is Barrett a paid lobbyist for developments in Hampton Roads? Does Barrett stand to gain financially from this project? Much to my chagrin, Barrett replied back that my question was not taken seriously by him,(Mike Barrett).