Getting To Williams Farm

This morning's Virginian-Pravda brings us to story of the ongoing battle to secure a recreation center for the Lake Edward neighborhood. http://hamptonroads.com/2008/04/beach-activists-wishes-far-cry-what-city-can-deliver

I recently was invited to a meeting on the issue - on 3 hours notice. With my schedule, there was no way I could make it. Yes, activists are going to continue to push for such a center until it gets done. City Council candidates running this November can expect to be asked to pledge such a facility. (The only thing funnier than the incumbents who have yet to deliver it may be getting the VBTA-backed candidates to actually agree to spend money.) Like a ward system, it isn't going to go away as an issue.

Which brings us to the proposed West Bayside Community Center (WBCC). The concept is very nice, certainly much better than anything that will be built in Lake Edward in our lifetimes. One huge problem: getting there. Unless you have a car, you won't.

Which brings me to the proposal I want to float: getting bus service to the WBCC. A version of Hampton Roads Transit's (HRT) 2030 Plan from earlier in the decade had Route 23 extended from Military Circle to Pembroke East via Haygood Road. (Donald Flayhart posted about it on Talknet.) That would provide access to the WBCC not only for Lake Edward residents, but everyone. Coming from Lake Edward, you'd catch the 23 on Newtown Road to go. With the problem in Lake Edward being in the evenings, that would make evening service a must.

Why was that 23 extension dropped from the 2030 Plan? I don't know, but if it was projected ridership, the WBCC should bring it.