Brady PieperThe Virginia Beach City Council is recommending the termination of an existing contract seeking to improve community spaces and infrastructure on historic Atlantic Avenue.
The city council is in the process of refining the city’s operating budget, Capital Improvement Program and funding priorities for fiscal year 2025-2026. As part of this year’s cuts, the Atlantic Avenue Improvement Project will be put on hold and evaluated to pursue a cheaper option.
“They live and breathe Atlantic Avenue,” Councilwoman Rosemary Wilson said during a city council meeting. “That’s where their businesses are, that’s where their livelihood is and I’d really like to see if we can get a little bit more creativity and fun into it.”
Atlantic Avenue is the central aspect of Virginia Beach’s Oceanfront District, featuring a variety of hotels, restaurants, shops and recreational activities for all ages. Initially constructed in the 1880s, the district is a major driver for tourism and the local economy.
The estimated $48 million project, financed by the city’s tourism tax fund, is designed to reinvigorate this historic avenue and surrounding areas, driving economic and community growth in a district that hasn’t been updated since the 1990s.
The project proposes several improvements to the district along Atlantic Avenue from 2nd to 40th streets, including repavement of roadways and sidewalks, upgrades to landscapes and lighting and a full rehabilitation of the Central Beach area.
The initial proposal also features dedicated bike lanes, upgraded amenities and the potential of murals or other art installations to create a sense of welcoming and arrival along Atlantic Avenue.
Supported by $3 million in city funds, the revitalization project started design and build work in spring 2024, completing 30% of the design by the end of the year. Based on these designs, project officials updated the revitalization cost estimate to reflect inflationary and budget shifts.
While the project will be halted at the recommendation of the city council, members still support the pursuit of a cheaper option that revitalizes the aging oceanfront district.
The city council will recommend the creation of a new task force, consisting of business owners and local stakeholders, to identify community needs and the feasibility of a cheaper alternative revitalization effort.
If Virginia Beach officials were to pursue a cheaper alternative, the city may initiate partnerships with public and private entities that can help design, construct and implement these upgrades to the aging avenue.
The city council is expected to adopt the final budget and capital improvement program on May 13, which will include the future of the Atlantic Avenue improvement project. The city will host several public hearings with opportunities for residents to comment on the budget proposal.
Photo Courtesy yesvirginiabeach
