What’s going to happen this weekend?
OPCL Board sent a letter to City about what is going to be done to mitigate this.
How could first responders respond?
Beach Replenishment Update
The following comes from the City of Virginia Beach Public Works concerning the Ocean Park Beach replenishment project slated for this spring/summer:
The city received three bids on April 7, 2020 for the beach nourishment of Ocean Park Beach. Unfortunately all bids were over 50% higher than the available budget for the project. The primary driver as to why the bids came I’m significantly higher than the available budget is due to industry capacity related to high demand for dredging along the east coast and Gulf of Mexico for the next six months.
No additional funding has been identified and not likely in the immediate future given the current uncertainty in the City budget. Therefore, a contract cannot be awarded based on the current bids. Public Works staff has recommended rebidding the project with a longer period of performance to incentivize more favorable bids. Staff is waiting on final direction from upper management. For now, we are in a holding pattern until revised City budget is determined.
Coastal Section Project Management, City of Virginia Beach Public Works
Apartments proposed for Ocean Park at Marlin Bay Drive
About a week ago a local developer made an (on-line via Zoom) presentation proposing an apartment complex to replace the boat dealership at the corner of Marlin Bay and Shore Drive to members of the Ocean Park Civic League Board and the Shore Drive Community Coalition Board. The Ocean Park Civic League (OPCL) would like to have your opinion on the proposal. Attached is the PowerPoint slides that were presented outlining the project overview to include renderings of what the completed project would look like. Look it over, tell the OPCL board what you think. Are you for, against or somewhere in between?
The presentation highlighted that the complex will be 227 total units, 4 stories in height, to include 1, 2, and 3-bedroom apartments, offering what they consider high-value amenities with a starting target rental price at $1200.
The residential area surrounds a parking garage of 400+ spaces and a swimming pool. Most significantly, the Zoning for the property must be changed to B4 to accommodate the planned higher density dwelling, as well as closing existing paper streets. Property entrances are planned for Shore Drive and Marlin Bay Dr. There will be on site management company, Drucker & Falk.
The developer has established an introductory website: https://www.marlinbayvb.com/ . The project has not come before the Planning Commission yet, and they hope to in May depending on where the city is with the COVID-19 restrictions. Optimistically, they would like to break ground in 2021, and hope to have the approval of the surrounding community….But that’s up to you.
Your input to the Civic League leadership has great value. The board intends to carry the message forward from the residents of Ocean Park to the developer and the City. You can leave comments to this email address: communication@opcl.org or add to the discussion below. The OPCL Board will be looking to you for your input.
On Thursday Feb 6th the Ocean Park Civic League unanimously voted to request the OPCL BOD to send a letter to the Mayor & City Council re: Orsted plan for Lesner Municipal Wharf
The current idea has prompted many questions due to its impact on Ocean Park, safety on Shore Drive & the wildly popular Lynnhaven Boat Ramp & Beach Facility.
View Powerpoint presented to City Council Informal Session FEB 4 ’20.
Have questions or concerns?
Share them in “DISCUSS” below.
Cassidy was arrested on Monday and charged with five counts of robbery
Cassidy was arrested the same day police responded to a robbery at Albano Cleaners at Thoroughgood Road and Pleasure House Road, but police haven’t said whether Cassidy might be linked to that robbery at this time.
OCEAN PARK BEACH NOURISHMENT update & documents
The official notice from Army Corp of Engineers including drawings, project review certification, official species list and more.
The ACOE is “still reviewing the permit application submitted by the City of Virginia Beach”. There is no current timeline when this project might get approved.
OPVRS signals up!
Syncing of lights & crosswalks installed about Dec 21.
Thanks to everyone who helped add this pedestrian love!
“Ocean Park is the dumping ground of Virginia Beach,” said Todd Parker, a neighborhood resident. “They love to collect our taxes, but we are the stepchild to the Oceanfront.”
Some examples of the continuing coverage of how destructive Floatopia was to Ocean Park beach & neighborhood.
Others reported seeing people who could barely walk get behind the wheel and drive home. Some were so inebriated they couldn’t find their cars. Many of the residents said that they felt laws weren’t enforced and that the city has ignored residents’ complaints about the event for years.
Virginia Beach police said Shelby Ross Oliver left her baby and 7-year-old child alone for hours at the “Floatopia” event in [Ocean Park].
Many who spoke were angry and said the city should’ve been ready for the event. Although the amount of litter left behind on the beach is what dominated headlines, people who live out here said the issue is way bigger than the trash.
“I don’t know why I didn’t call the city.” Said self proclaimed Floatopia organizer.
Possible charges for the self proclaimed Floatopia organizer are pending.
Ocean Park Civic League 