I've made 43 roundtrips on The Tide as a Data Collector (11 on Opening Day), and some additional trips off-duty. (I'm back on-duty this evening.) I've seen plenty of it, and would like to record my observations.
NOTABLES
Among those I've seen onboard are Chesapeake City Councilman & TDCHR Commissioner Cliff Hayes, City of Virginia Beach chief lobbyist Bob Matthias (I explained the passenger counting system to him), City of Virginia Beach Transportation Planning Coordinator Mark Schnaufer, Future of Hampton Roads President Ray Taylor, and The Virginian-Pravda's Debbie Messina. When Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim boarded at Harbor Park on August 20, the passengers gave him a round of applause. Yesterday I ran into HRT President Phillip Shucet as we both alighted at MacArthur Sqaure. (As we'd been sitting in different halves of the train, we didn't spot each other onboard.)
However, special mention goes to the passenger on my train opening night: Reid Greenmun, Chairman of the extremist Virginia Beach Taxpayers Alliance (VBTA). Yes, Reid Greenmun rides The Tide! In his habitual arrogance, yesterday on Pilotonline he declared himself an authority on The Tide based on that single trip. (NEWS FLASH: there are some Data Collectors who have been working 6-7 days per week on the trains.)
OPENING MORNING
On August 19, I took the first Cutback Inbound 20 of the morning to Newtown Road Station, arriving at 5:55 A.M. As the bus pulled towards the Station, we could see the place was packed.
Despite the attempt of Virginia News Source to later inflate the figure, there were no more than 20 protesters when I arrived.
My first train was the 6:30 A.M. run that morning. As I waited on the platform for it, a pair of senior ladies spoke to me. One recognized me from St. Gregory's. The other grasped that the objective of the protesters was to keep "a certain element" out of Virginia Beach.
UTILIZATION
By Sunday, August 21, passengers had begun calculating how they could utilize The Tide. They could save money by taking the train into downtown for shopping, entertainment, and Tides games.
Norfolk State University and Old Dominion University students were taking The Tide to MacArthur Center. The former were going NSU Station - MacArthur Square Station. On Saturday a pair of ODU coeds were on the Inbound Route 16 with me, taking it to Fort Norfolk to catch the train.
Last week there was a party in Ingleside. A group of 8 was on my train going there, and they would have certainly driven prior to August 19.
Saturday a family from Portsmouth was sitting behind me. They had drove over to a park and ride, and spoke of enjoying parking on High Street and taking the ferry over. I pointed out to them that the same $3.50 Day Pass would work on both the ferry and train. (Guess what they'll do next time?)
Yesterday I went downtown for an early dinner. I obviously would never do the 75 minute bus ride for dinner alone, but The Tide comes to within two blocks of the restaurant.
ARGUMENTS AGAINST
Let me answer some of the arguments against they have come up.
First, an opponent on opening morning was claiming extending The Tide into Virginia Beach would take money away from public schools. Not only false, but the contrary is true. Under the schools funding formula, all mass transit expenses come out of the City side of the Budget. The redevelopment induced by The Tide would increase the money to schools in outlying years.
Second, people will stop riding once the newness fades away. Reread the Utilization section and you'll see where the repeat customers will come from.
Third, the train's speed. However, the TPO would let you know that at rush hour our interstates roll at 25 mph or under, urban door to door travel is 15 mph, and our bridges and tunnels are under 10 mph. That will only get worse.
Let me point out the Virginia Beach extension, having no street running, would have a much higher average speed than Norfolk.
TICKET VENDING MACHINES (TVMs)
Once fares began being charged, two issues popped up. First, people didn't know how to use the TVMs. Second, they didn't know which farecard to buy.
A smaller version of the Tide Guide program has been launched to help deal with those issues.
HUMOR
With the deluge of people opening weekend, the running joke was repeating the opponents "No one will ride it" mantra.
On a Saturday night train, the ACS system was still stuck on Military Highway Station as we approached the Fort Norfolk Station. I quipped to the off-duty Bus Operator standing next to me "You can transfer to the 23 at either one."
As our Outbound Train turned for Harbor Park with a Tides game that evening, a pair of women launched into a terrible rendition of Take Me Out To The Ballgame. A group of teenage girls responded with (to the same tune) Throw Them Off Of The Tide Train.
One evening we could see westbound 264 backed up as we passed. Passengers began yelling "You should have taken The Tide!"
OPPOSITION
The group that told us "No one will ride it" was left with zero credibility by opening weekend. While no one ever pretended numbers that high were sustainable, it showed that a huge slice of the public is interested in light rail.
In the past week since fares began being charged, ridership has been 1.75 - 3 times the benchmark.
Randy Wright was right. He said if we built a starter line, when people saw it and rode it, they'd embrace it. The regional light rail to be built question was settled on August 19, 2011.
Showing posts with label Chesapeake City Council. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chesapeake City Council. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Sea Level Rise Listening Sessions
There will be Sea Level Rise Listening Sessions at the end of this month in Virginia Beach. They will be held:
March 30
1 - 4 P.M. - Virginia Aquarium
5:30 - 8:30 P.M. - Red Mill Elementary School
March 31
1 - 4 P.M. - Meyera Oberndorf Central Library
5:30 - 8:30 P.M. - Bayside Recreation Center
As has been discussed at meetings of the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission (HRPDC), Hampton Roads' infrastructure is second most vulnerable in the country to sea level rise. The only region worse than us is (gulp!) New Orleans. Cliff Hayes stated that if we don't get to work on this issue, future generations will condemn us for our inaction.
Involved in the sessions are the University of Virginia Institute for Environmental Negotiation, Old Dominion University, the HRPDC, Wetlands Watch, and the City of Virginia Beach.
March 30
1 - 4 P.M. - Virginia Aquarium
5:30 - 8:30 P.M. - Red Mill Elementary School
March 31
1 - 4 P.M. - Meyera Oberndorf Central Library
5:30 - 8:30 P.M. - Bayside Recreation Center
As has been discussed at meetings of the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission (HRPDC), Hampton Roads' infrastructure is second most vulnerable in the country to sea level rise. The only region worse than us is (gulp!) New Orleans. Cliff Hayes stated that if we don't get to work on this issue, future generations will condemn us for our inaction.
Involved in the sessions are the University of Virginia Institute for Environmental Negotiation, Old Dominion University, the HRPDC, Wetlands Watch, and the City of Virginia Beach.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
LRT Boosts Other Council Aims
Light rail isn't simply about transportation and land redevelopment. It would also help other objectives expressed at this week's Virginia Beach City Council Retreat:
1. During Friday morning discussions with the School Board, Mayor Sessoms suggested partnerships with our area universities, for things like boosting research & development. How would those students participate? It would help if they could get here by train:
A. Norfolk State University and Eastern Virginia Medical School are on Norfolk's Starter Line.
B. Old Dominion University would be on the Navy base extension.
C. Virginia Wesleyan College is on Route 27, a feeder bus route that will serve the Newtown Road Station.
2. On Saturday morning, Glenn Davis noted that Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Chesapeake all have borders in the Centerville area. He wondered if the three cities could consolidate services, with offices in that area.
During a later break, I explained to him how that area was served by Route 15. It would be a 10-15 minute bus ride from the Military Highway Station.
1. During Friday morning discussions with the School Board, Mayor Sessoms suggested partnerships with our area universities, for things like boosting research & development. How would those students participate? It would help if they could get here by train:
A. Norfolk State University and Eastern Virginia Medical School are on Norfolk's Starter Line.
B. Old Dominion University would be on the Navy base extension.
C. Virginia Wesleyan College is on Route 27, a feeder bus route that will serve the Newtown Road Station.
2. On Saturday morning, Glenn Davis noted that Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Chesapeake all have borders in the Centerville area. He wondered if the three cities could consolidate services, with offices in that area.
During a later break, I explained to him how that area was served by Route 15. It would be a 10-15 minute bus ride from the Military Highway Station.
Friday, December 10, 2010
RAC December 9, 2010
Virginia Beach's Resort Advisory Commission (RAC) held a short meeting Thursday afternoon, lasting only about 40 minutes.
Chairman Preston Midgett and Vice Chair Gerrie West were reelected to their positions for 2011.
In response to TPPC concerns over the draft Form-Based Zoning for the Resort Area, SGA Office Director Barry Frankenfield stated his Office might be ready to brief the TPPC in January. However, there is still work to be done on the draft, with one area being how it deals with parking issues. Also, in recent talks with the Navy, the City is trying to make clear what the draft does with lodging units versus residential units. AICUZ regulations look upon the two differently.
Despite concerns about air encroachments into the public right of way, the Plan/Design Review Committee (PDRC) endorsed Phase III of the Ocean Beach Club. The issue is that there would be overhangs from the proposed building extending beyond the property line. In addition, a law enforcement monument is in the works for 35th Street, done by the same sculptor that did the King Neptune statue at 31st Street. (Don't worry: it will be smaller.) The PDRC worked with how to make the pieces (i.e. Ocean Beach Club, monument, etc.) fit together well.
Neither the Resort Investment Committee, Green Committee, nor Communications Committee met this month.
The first meeting of the task force on Resort event food & beverage sales met on Wednesday morning, and the meeting went well. The Oceanfront Enhancement Committee (OEC) continues with the parking meters to raise funds for the homeless initiative. Roanoke, Norfolk, and Chesapeake have all inquired as to how we put our program together, as they may wish to follow suit.
Speaking of Chesapeake and Norfolk, both have pulled a page from our playbook and established Special Events offices. In fact, Chesapeake has hired one of our employees to run theirs, while Norfolk has interviewed a second member of our Staff. Finally, work is going on at the intersection of 32nd and Arctic to install brick pavers for the pedestrian crossing. It's being done later due to the original base the road was built on.
Chairman Preston Midgett and Vice Chair Gerrie West were reelected to their positions for 2011.
In response to TPPC concerns over the draft Form-Based Zoning for the Resort Area, SGA Office Director Barry Frankenfield stated his Office might be ready to brief the TPPC in January. However, there is still work to be done on the draft, with one area being how it deals with parking issues. Also, in recent talks with the Navy, the City is trying to make clear what the draft does with lodging units versus residential units. AICUZ regulations look upon the two differently.
Despite concerns about air encroachments into the public right of way, the Plan/Design Review Committee (PDRC) endorsed Phase III of the Ocean Beach Club. The issue is that there would be overhangs from the proposed building extending beyond the property line. In addition, a law enforcement monument is in the works for 35th Street, done by the same sculptor that did the King Neptune statue at 31st Street. (Don't worry: it will be smaller.) The PDRC worked with how to make the pieces (i.e. Ocean Beach Club, monument, etc.) fit together well.
Neither the Resort Investment Committee, Green Committee, nor Communications Committee met this month.
The first meeting of the task force on Resort event food & beverage sales met on Wednesday morning, and the meeting went well. The Oceanfront Enhancement Committee (OEC) continues with the parking meters to raise funds for the homeless initiative. Roanoke, Norfolk, and Chesapeake have all inquired as to how we put our program together, as they may wish to follow suit.
Speaking of Chesapeake and Norfolk, both have pulled a page from our playbook and established Special Events offices. In fact, Chesapeake has hired one of our employees to run theirs, while Norfolk has interviewed a second member of our Staff. Finally, work is going on at the intersection of 32nd and Arctic to install brick pavers for the pedestrian crossing. It's being done later due to the original base the road was built on.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Cliff Hayes: Ducking, Not Leading
I've liked Chesapeake City Councilman Cliff Hayes. He's shown a keen interest in issues that impact us po' folks: workforce housing, mass transit, etc. Given that mindest, he serves as one of Chesapeake's two TDCHR Commissioners. (Rick West is the other one.) He's to be commended for fighting the uphill battle in transitphobic Chesapeake.
However, at Thursday afternoon's TDCHR meeting, he had me disgusted. There was a measure from the TDCHR's Operations & Oversight Committee to schedule the Public Hearings and public meetings on a possible fare increase. Keep in mind that an actual vote to raise fares was four months off. Hayes? He brought up legislation pending in Congress to increase Federal transit funding, and wanted to delay the process at Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) in hopes that the Feds would give us money that could be used in lieu of a fare hike. It brings to mind what common farm poultry leave behind.
First, leaders don't wait for Washington to do something, they do something themselves. You don't hide behind Congress' skirt hoping you won't have to make a hard decision.
Second, as Commissioner Hayes should know, Federal law caps the amount of Federal money that can be used for Operations & Maintenance. With HRT virtually against the Federal cap, the only new money that would help would be Capital funds.
Third, even if Congress passes such and relaxes the O & M cap, HRT could simply use it for a second booster round.
Fourth, TDCHR policy allows a fare review once every two years. Were HRT to now pass, per policy fares shouldn't be reconsidered until 2012. Huge cuts would have to be made in the interim.
Instead of leading, Cliff Hayes tried to run and hide.
However, at Thursday afternoon's TDCHR meeting, he had me disgusted. There was a measure from the TDCHR's Operations & Oversight Committee to schedule the Public Hearings and public meetings on a possible fare increase. Keep in mind that an actual vote to raise fares was four months off. Hayes? He brought up legislation pending in Congress to increase Federal transit funding, and wanted to delay the process at Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) in hopes that the Feds would give us money that could be used in lieu of a fare hike. It brings to mind what common farm poultry leave behind.
First, leaders don't wait for Washington to do something, they do something themselves. You don't hide behind Congress' skirt hoping you won't have to make a hard decision.
Second, as Commissioner Hayes should know, Federal law caps the amount of Federal money that can be used for Operations & Maintenance. With HRT virtually against the Federal cap, the only new money that would help would be Capital funds.
Third, even if Congress passes such and relaxes the O & M cap, HRT could simply use it for a second booster round.
Fourth, TDCHR policy allows a fare review once every two years. Were HRT to now pass, per policy fares shouldn't be reconsidered until 2012. Huge cuts would have to be made in the interim.
Instead of leading, Cliff Hayes tried to run and hide.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Transit Station Planning Workshop
Last night there was a station planning workshop for the Virginia Beach Transit Extension at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. I'm told "about 50" people were at last week's session at the Westin. Last night there were about half that number at the opening, with more drifting in later.
The need for such meetings is that 2 of the 3 build scenarios being looked at in the Alternatives Analysis (AA) are BRT or LRT down the Norfolk Southern Right-Of-Way. Both will require similar stations along the ROW.
The meeting opened with remarks by Jim Wood, City Councilman and TDCHR Chairman. That was followed by three Staffers from HDR, the consultant doing the study. Afterwards, citizens broke out to three separate tables based on segments of the line: Newtown Road - Town Center, Town Center - Lynnhaven, and Lynnhaven - Oceanfront.
With it being my home area, I went to the Newtown Road - Town Center table. There were a couple things of interest:
1. A member of the City's Historic Preservation Committee wants to keep the former Kempsville Building Materials building and use it as the Witchduck Road station. A couple of us thought the idea was nuts.
2. A gentleman was there who claimed he's been part of talks on a Witchduck Road - Great Bridge extension. The discussions reportedly involved the City of Chesapeake and the Commonwealth of Virginia. The rail line would shoot down the Witchduck Road/Kempsville Road Corridor to Greenbrier, then on to Great Bridge. We'll see if such a routing is included in the study that the Chesapeake City Council has requested.
The PowerPoint Presentation given is supposed to be on HRT's website by Friday. There will be another stations meeting in the Spring. WVEC had a camera crew there, so you might find video on their website.
The need for such meetings is that 2 of the 3 build scenarios being looked at in the Alternatives Analysis (AA) are BRT or LRT down the Norfolk Southern Right-Of-Way. Both will require similar stations along the ROW.
The meeting opened with remarks by Jim Wood, City Councilman and TDCHR Chairman. That was followed by three Staffers from HDR, the consultant doing the study. Afterwards, citizens broke out to three separate tables based on segments of the line: Newtown Road - Town Center, Town Center - Lynnhaven, and Lynnhaven - Oceanfront.
With it being my home area, I went to the Newtown Road - Town Center table. There were a couple things of interest:
1. A member of the City's Historic Preservation Committee wants to keep the former Kempsville Building Materials building and use it as the Witchduck Road station. A couple of us thought the idea was nuts.
2. A gentleman was there who claimed he's been part of talks on a Witchduck Road - Great Bridge extension. The discussions reportedly involved the City of Chesapeake and the Commonwealth of Virginia. The rail line would shoot down the Witchduck Road/Kempsville Road Corridor to Greenbrier, then on to Great Bridge. We'll see if such a routing is included in the study that the Chesapeake City Council has requested.
The PowerPoint Presentation given is supposed to be on HRT's website by Friday. There will be another stations meeting in the Spring. WVEC had a camera crew there, so you might find video on their website.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving, Turkeys!
On Tuesday the Chesapeake City Council passed 8-0 a Resolution asking for a light rail extension study for their study. The Virginian-Pravda has the story here: http://hamptonroads.com/2009/11/chesapeake-seeks-study-joining-lightrail-line
There's the obvious story here: yet another city in the region jumps on board the train. 5 of the 7 cities are in some state of light rail planning or (in Norfolk) construction.
However, let me point out the more obscure story here. Many VBTAers (lef by Reid Greenmun) want Virginia Beach and Chesapeake to form their own separate Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). The idea is to spilt the two cities off from Hampton Roads to form a separate region. (Virginia Beach alone doesn't meet the population threshold.) There they would build their "suburban utopia". Therefore, a light rail extension in Chesapeake is as much a threat to the VBTA's crack pipe dream as the Virginia Beach extension itself.
On a few different levels, way to go Chesapeake!
There's the obvious story here: yet another city in the region jumps on board the train. 5 of the 7 cities are in some state of light rail planning or (in Norfolk) construction.
However, let me point out the more obscure story here. Many VBTAers (lef by Reid Greenmun) want Virginia Beach and Chesapeake to form their own separate Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). The idea is to spilt the two cities off from Hampton Roads to form a separate region. (Virginia Beach alone doesn't meet the population threshold.) There they would build their "suburban utopia". Therefore, a light rail extension in Chesapeake is as much a threat to the VBTA's crack pipe dream as the Virginia Beach extension itself.
On a few different levels, way to go Chesapeake!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Say "No" To Non-Resident Library Fees
One of the accounting tricks in the proposed amendments to the FY 2010 Virginia Beach Budget is to impose an annual $45 fee for non-residents using our libraries. It's a case where what is good politics is bad public policy.
I live in Virginia Beach and have a Beach library card. I also have cards from Chesapeake, Newport News, Norfolk, and Portsmouth. Each system has it's strengths:
Chesapeake - probably the best all-around: large book collections, plenty of good computers, nice buildings, and more operating hours than anyone else in the region. If they only had much better meeting rooms....
Newport News - the Pearl Bailey Library may be small, but has the feel of a community center.
Norfolk - my favorite computer room is in the new main library in the Seaboard Building. In addition, the Pretlow is a gem.
Portsmouth - patrons are friendly, plus a neat queueing system for the public computers.
Virginia Beach should not launch a regional fee war. First, as dependent as we are on visitors, we should be mindful of our image. Second, as Virginia Beach often gets portrayed as the bad guy in regional efforts, no need to feed into it.
Virginia law provides that the resident of any jurisdiction may get a reciprocal library card in any other locality in the Commonwealth. It's an easy argument that a non-residents fee violates the spirit - if not the letter - of the law.
Here's an idea for further regional cooperation: how about an agreement among localities not to impose non-resident library fees on residents from elsewhere in Hampton Roads?
I live in Virginia Beach and have a Beach library card. I also have cards from Chesapeake, Newport News, Norfolk, and Portsmouth. Each system has it's strengths:
Chesapeake - probably the best all-around: large book collections, plenty of good computers, nice buildings, and more operating hours than anyone else in the region. If they only had much better meeting rooms....
Newport News - the Pearl Bailey Library may be small, but has the feel of a community center.
Norfolk - my favorite computer room is in the new main library in the Seaboard Building. In addition, the Pretlow is a gem.
Portsmouth - patrons are friendly, plus a neat queueing system for the public computers.
Virginia Beach should not launch a regional fee war. First, as dependent as we are on visitors, we should be mindful of our image. Second, as Virginia Beach often gets portrayed as the bad guy in regional efforts, no need to feed into it.
Virginia law provides that the resident of any jurisdiction may get a reciprocal library card in any other locality in the Commonwealth. It's an easy argument that a non-residents fee violates the spirit - if not the letter - of the law.
Here's an idea for further regional cooperation: how about an agreement among localities not to impose non-resident library fees on residents from elsewhere in Hampton Roads?
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Portsmouth Public Libraries: Land Of the Pharos
Yesterday HR Transit Ideas' Michael Ragsdale and I went riding on Hampton Roads Transit's (HRT) newly-established Route 65, the Jordan Bridge Limited. (As for yesterday's operational execution by HRT, I don't use that kind of language on my blog.)
Arriving in Portsmouth about 90 minutes ahead of Michael, I went a half-block to Portsmouth's main library. I had been there twice before.
The building itself looks nice from the outside. Inside, it's small by the standards of main libraries in Hampton Roads. We have a few branches in Virginia Beach about the same size.
The amusing thing was their Internet computer system. Only 6 computers are available, but the highlight was the registration system they used. The Pharos program has you register on an unit at an adjacent table. Your name then goes into the queue. A monitor displays the names in order with the estimated wait time for each. When your unit opens up, the monitor tells you which unit to report to. It's similar to an airport flight display.
The appalling thing in Portsmouth is the lack of quality meeting rooms. The main library and Churchland branch each have small meeting rooms. However, nothing on the scale of Chesapeake or Norfolk, yet alone Virginia Beach,
Arriving in Portsmouth about 90 minutes ahead of Michael, I went a half-block to Portsmouth's main library. I had been there twice before.
The building itself looks nice from the outside. Inside, it's small by the standards of main libraries in Hampton Roads. We have a few branches in Virginia Beach about the same size.
The amusing thing was their Internet computer system. Only 6 computers are available, but the highlight was the registration system they used. The Pharos program has you register on an unit at an adjacent table. Your name then goes into the queue. A monitor displays the names in order with the estimated wait time for each. When your unit opens up, the monitor tells you which unit to report to. It's similar to an airport flight display.
The appalling thing in Portsmouth is the lack of quality meeting rooms. The main library and Churchland branch each have small meeting rooms. However, nothing on the scale of Chesapeake or Norfolk, yet alone Virginia Beach,
Friday, September 26, 2008
TDCHR September 25, 2008
On Thursday the Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads (TDCHR) held it's monthly meeting. The TDCHR is the governing body of Hampton Roads Transit (HRT).
MARVIN GARDENS
The TDCHR unanimously voted to condemn a 333 square foot land area for a drainage easement on the Norfolk light rail Starter Line project. The land is part of a rented house. The land is appraised at $4,600, but the owner is demanding (get this!) $51,000. Why $51,000? The house is assessed at $136,000, while the owner's best offer to sell has been $85,000. Therefore, the owner is trying to claim he's suffered $51,000 in damages from light rail and wants HRT to pay.
About two-thirds of the land is beyond the house's fence, a wooded area between the fence and the railroad right-of-way. One Commissioner joked, "I have a 330 foot easement to sell you for $49,000."
BRAMBLETON AVENUE STATION
The TDCHR agreed to move the proposed Brambleton Avenue Station on Norfolk's Starter Line at a cost of $1.45 million. Norfolk State University (NSU) had expressed paranoia-er, concerns about the station's placement. It will now be over Brambleton, with an elevator and stairs down on the west side of the street. That immediately raised concerns about NSU students trying to cross six lanes of traffic on Brambleton to get to the station.
Randy Wright pointed out that Brambleton contract (Contract 20) had originally been over $2 million under budget, so with the Change Order it was still more than $500,000 under budget.
OTHER LIGHT RAIL
Portsmouth has wanted light rail through the planned second tube of the Midtown Tunnel. HB 6028 brought Virginia Beach in. Our latest entrant: Chesapeake has begun preliminary talks with HRT about light rail.
The big Virginia Beach news of the day was that Norfolk now has publicly agreed to a EVMS to Navy base EIS in conjunction with Virginia Beach's Newtown Road to the Dome site. First, it accepts Virginia Beach's position that it doesn't want to proceed without such an extension. Second, by bringing the Navy base and Old Dominion University (ODU) online, you enhance the projected numbers for the Virginia Beach extension. Congratulations to both cities for the cooperation in getting it all done.
Virginia Beach Vision has formed a task force to work on the light rail issue. Councilman Jim Wood (one of Virginia Beach's HRT Commissioners) was scheduled to meet with them later Thursday afternoon.
Paul Riddick expressed concern that Virginia Beach might punt light rail to referendum again.
MARVIN GARDENS
The TDCHR unanimously voted to condemn a 333 square foot land area for a drainage easement on the Norfolk light rail Starter Line project. The land is part of a rented house. The land is appraised at $4,600, but the owner is demanding (get this!) $51,000. Why $51,000? The house is assessed at $136,000, while the owner's best offer to sell has been $85,000. Therefore, the owner is trying to claim he's suffered $51,000 in damages from light rail and wants HRT to pay.
About two-thirds of the land is beyond the house's fence, a wooded area between the fence and the railroad right-of-way. One Commissioner joked, "I have a 330 foot easement to sell you for $49,000."
BRAMBLETON AVENUE STATION
The TDCHR agreed to move the proposed Brambleton Avenue Station on Norfolk's Starter Line at a cost of $1.45 million. Norfolk State University (NSU) had expressed paranoia-er, concerns about the station's placement. It will now be over Brambleton, with an elevator and stairs down on the west side of the street. That immediately raised concerns about NSU students trying to cross six lanes of traffic on Brambleton to get to the station.
Randy Wright pointed out that Brambleton contract (Contract 20) had originally been over $2 million under budget, so with the Change Order it was still more than $500,000 under budget.
OTHER LIGHT RAIL
Portsmouth has wanted light rail through the planned second tube of the Midtown Tunnel. HB 6028 brought Virginia Beach in. Our latest entrant: Chesapeake has begun preliminary talks with HRT about light rail.
The big Virginia Beach news of the day was that Norfolk now has publicly agreed to a EVMS to Navy base EIS in conjunction with Virginia Beach's Newtown Road to the Dome site. First, it accepts Virginia Beach's position that it doesn't want to proceed without such an extension. Second, by bringing the Navy base and Old Dominion University (ODU) online, you enhance the projected numbers for the Virginia Beach extension. Congratulations to both cities for the cooperation in getting it all done.
Virginia Beach Vision has formed a task force to work on the light rail issue. Councilman Jim Wood (one of Virginia Beach's HRT Commissioners) was scheduled to meet with them later Thursday afternoon.
Paul Riddick expressed concern that Virginia Beach might punt light rail to referendum again.
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