Virginia Beach weighs Rudee Loop redesign

The Virginia Beach City Council delayed finalizing a Rudee Loop revitalization plan , citing the need for more details on funding, environmental impacts, and how the project fits into other Oceanfront priorities.

Council members heard a presentation from city staff on June 3 asking for their approval on the overall design of the project, including whether it would include a parking garage or just a surface parking lot.

However, while they did informally support the inclusion of a parking garage, council members also asked for much more information, including how Rudee Park fits with other ongoing projects in the Oceanfront area, economic and cultural impacts of parks, the environmental impact associated with some of the proposed features, a funding plan including the possibility of selling naming rights to different amenities, and the cost of different park elements.

“It’s a delay, but sometimes, delayed gratification is the way to go to make sure we get it right,” Mayor Bobby Dyer said.

Even with the additional time needed to gather that information, completion of the park may only be about four years out, including two years for design and two years for construction. Proposals for Rudee Park include an elevated overlook, a splash pad, community lawns, a walking and cycling path, a jetty walk, an event plaza, and more.

Parks and Recreation Director Michael Kirschman, giving the presentation, did not offer specific figures on projected economic benefits or environmental trade-offs; however, he suggested the project would be an improvement on both counts over the current parking lot.

Several council members were concerned about how this project will be funded along with other priorities such as the ongoing Atlantic Avenue improvements , parking in other areas of the Oceanfront, and necessary updates to the Virginia Aquarium .

“I think we’ve got to recognize we can’t do everything,” said Councilwoman Barbara Henley.

The version of the park with the parking garage is currently estimated to cost more than $70 million. With surface parking, the cost would be about $42 million. City officials believe that corporate and philanthropic sponsors purchasing naming rights to various amenities within the park could help fund its construction, while a restaurant and commercial activities within the park could finance its continued operation.

The money has already been allocated for the project from the Tourism Investment Program fund, which is supported by a portion of hotel, meal, and amusement taxes, as well as fixed amounts from the hotel flat tax and cigarette tax. However, any money not used due to fundraising could revert to the TIP fund, Kirschman said during Tuesday’s meeting.

City Manager Patrick Duhaney said council members could expect the requested information in about 45 to 60 days.