RESORT ADVISORY COMMISSION MINUTES

Transcription

1 Resort Advisory Commission 2101 Parks Avenue, Suite 502 Virginia Beach, VA (757) FAX (757) DATE: October 4, 2012 RESORT ADVISORY COMMISSION MINUTES TIME: PLACE: 3:00 pm Virginia Beach Convention Center, Meeting Room 4DE COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT Preston Midgett, Chair Ken Taylor Billy Almond Bryan Cuffee Craig Roback Sam Reid Randy Thompson Laura Habr Art Webb Tiffany Twine Nancy Creech Jim Davis Verne Burlage Kristina Chastain Michael Cloud-Butler Sylvia Strickland Tom Brown Bobby Melatti Nancy Perry-Marscheider David Groth Gerrie West OTHERS PRESENT Lynn Clements, VA Aquarium Diane Ippolito, SEACOM Tom Ippolito, SEACOM Eugene Thompson, AIA, Ionic Dezign Studios Ross Vierra, Virginia Gentlemen Fdtn. Bill Reed, BEACON Jay Beasley, VBPD Barry Frankenfield, SGA John Uhrin, Council CVB STAFF PRESENT Mike Eason, SGA/Resort Management Brian Solis, CVB Dept of Parks & Rec Bill Kelly, SGA/RM Robin Hart, SGA / Recorder COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT Chair Preston Midgett called the meeting to 3:03pm. Minutes from the September 6, 2012 meeting approved as written. SEACOM Presentation Diane & Tom Ippolito SEACOM Report.pdf The SEACOM was formed in April 2012 by the OEC in order to recommend ways to improve the Sense of Arrival upon entering the oceanfront district, the I-264/21st Street corridor. The decision needed today is to agree to fund the project in order for it to make the capital budget. Tom outlined the suggested Action Plan, which called for a Sense of Arrival Gateway and near term improvements (poles and banners, landscaping, swirling silks). He then reviewed the Gateway Design Guidelines (location, elements, designer considerations).

2 RAC Meeting Minutes, October 4, 2012 Page 2 Diane introduced Eugene Thompson of Ionic Dezign Studios to review what the Gateway could look like. Eugene presented three types of design possibilities, which included signage, a linear design, and oversized icons. Diane defined the Gateway Vision, reviewed recommendations, and closed with acknowledgement and thanks to the supporters of the SEACOM project. Committee discussion confirms that, although the designs presented were examples of ideas and not options for design selection, the consensus was that the linear design version with the fountain and pedestrian areas was the most popular, given the prevalent surfing theme on the East Coast. The area is not VDOT-owned; more landscaping could possibly involve garden clubs. Billy Almond makes a motion that the RAC accept the work of the SEACOM, and do what is necessary to move it forward and have the design funded. The motion was seconded from several sources. There is the hope that as the design comes forward, designs and concepts from other agencies merge, for example, from the Convention Center, Visitors Center, MOCA, etc. Others voiced their support for the project, understanding the importance of it. The proposed gateway will have the opportunity to make a profound impact on every driver coming down 264, and we need to emphasize the beach destination as one of the jewels of the East Coast. The Gateway is, in a sense about branding, as it is the perception created in the mind of the consumer. Motion carried unanimously that the RAC accept the work of the SEACOM, and do what is necessary to move it forward and have the design funded. Owls Creek Master Plan / Virginia Aquarium Expansion Plan X:\Resort Management\Owls Creek-VA AQM Master Plan RAC Oct 2012.pptx Owls Creek Plan Brian Solis, Plan & Design Development Administrator for Parks & Recreation Owls Creek is 1200 acres bound by a recreational amenity called the South Beach Trail. At the heart of the plan is Owls Creek, Lake Rudee its theme is water. Brian provides the history behind the development, reported that City Council adopted the Master Plan in December 2011, with the first implementation of the Plan being Marshview Park. The development is divided into color zones. The yellow represents established residential areas, and the green may represent either Navy preserve areas, or potential recreational area for existing residents; another possibility is a potential adventure opportunity area for visitors. The four pink circles represent possible gateways that could signify that one is entering a particular area. The whole area could have a broad theme, and then a signature theme for each smaller area. The yellow dots are water taxis that travel to the Marina District, Rudees, the Aquarium and Owls Creek. There are four different zones that have the potential for change. Those zones are (1) the Marina District, (2) the addition to the Aquarium, (3) the entertainment and

3 RAC Meeting Minutes, October 4, 2012 Page 3 education corner, including enhancements to Motor World and Ocean Breeze Fun park, and (4) Owls Creek Park and Marshview Park. Brian discussed Concepts I and II for the Marshview Park area, with the main difference including the possibility of expansion including Seatack Park for Concept II. Both concepts of the plan for Marshview Park protect the neighborhoods. Only one half-mile paved trail will be on the site, and that will be for emergency access, maintenance and accessibility. They want the area to stay heavily wooded, but the canopied tree landscape allows for good lines of sight. There is opportunity there for active biking (BMX) here, the oceanfront s first dog park (which will require staffing by the City of Virginia Beach). There will be minimal parking provided mainly to support neighborhood use. There are opportunities for neighborhood resident canoeing (storage and launch). They are also reviewing the historical value of the area, which appears to date back to the 1850s, and have hopes of building at least the trail in the summer, and then implementing Phase I in FY Aquarium Plan - Lynn Clements, Exec. Director, Virginia Aquarium and Exec. Director, City of VB Museums Lynn noted that the Aquarium changed their name from Virginia Marine Science Museum to The Virginia Aquarium and Science Center, as they have plans of becoming a huge research center. They are a public non-profit partnership (so the City owns the building and the non-profit owns the animals and exhibits), and their goal is to increase from 650K to 1M visitors, closer to the numbers of the national aquariums. The vision would tie in with the Adventure Corridor and package eco-tourism with her ideas for the Aquarium. The Aquarium Plan is related with the Owls Creek Master Plan because the Aquarium draws from the Owls Creek body of water for their facility aquariums, as it is high-quality seawater. The Marshview area is the hidden jewel in the Aquarium, behind it. Lynn is hoping for a new exhibit building on the main parking lot in order to draw the desired amount of visitors. This would enable them to add four research centers. Building One would be the animal care center, one of which is onsite at every major center. Building Two is the Research Center (covered in Brian s Marshview presentation). Building Three is possibly a GREEN research center. Building Four would be located across the street from the Aquarium and would add structured parking, and you could watch active research. Lynn does suggest that the front of the Aquarium building be facing Owls Creek, so it will be on the water. There could be an Entertainment District. The Aquarium draws 300K people, half of which happens during the 100 days of the summer. They want to make it more yearround., and they are trying to figure out how to decrease the amount of walking between the buildings, which, right now is approx. 1/3 of a mile. They already know that the Aquarium will be required to have a full-time vet within the next five years. They are looking at a conservation center, which could house a veterinary services building, possibly showing the vets at work (public viewing-friendly vet procedures), or hatching babies.

4 RAC Meeting Minutes, October 4, 2012 Page 4 They have another plan in October to upgrade the Owls Creek Marsh Pavilion. JT s Grommet Island Ross Vierra/Virginia Gentlemen Foundation This is their 5 th year for the JT Walk to fight ALS, and they want to expand on the existing Grommet Isle park facility at 1 st Street to the next level. They have an idea 20- acre adventure camp designed for kids with special needs and illnesses, and have hopes to provide the Wounded Warrior Program with the same opportunity, in hopes that it will bring together parents and their children in dealing with their disabilities. The facility includes a built-in lake with cable wake boarding, a 3- to 5-acre ropes course, and other activities, some of which have evolved into competitions. This park will have an island setting, but will be located inland, and allow for a lot of activities that they cannot implement at Grommet Island. There will also be a pool, splash park, gymatorium, theater, kayak, fishing. The Wellness Support Center will be also available onsite for health concerns. Tiki Hut cabins will be available for overnight stay. All trails will be easily accessible. They are four months into the $20 million dollar project, and already raised 1.4 million. COMMITTEE REPORTS Transportation, Parking, Pedestrian Committee (TPPC) Preston Midgett reports that they met last Thursday and they are in the midst of reviewing a draft for a street closure policy. Oceanfront Enhancement Committee (OEC) Jim Davis committee had the SEACOM presentation, also presented at today s RAC meeting. Planning Design Review Committee (PDRC) Billy Almond reports that PDRC did not meet. A lot is on the Agenda for the next meeting. Resort Investment Committee (RIC) Preston Midgett reports for RIC Chair Ken Taylor that they met yesterday, and had a presentation on the opportunities available for both the tourism/convention visitor business, as well as the convention center business, should the Arena contract be secured. Communications Committee (CC) Sylvia Strickland reports that the CC did not meet. G.R.E.E.N. Committee Laura Habr reports that they met last Wednesday, and reviewed the remaining locations of the recycling drop-off sites; hoping for an update next month. They also had a draft presentation from Clay Bernick, covering the entire City initiatives on Environmental Sustainability. The committee had a presentation on community gardens for open green spaces, and what they could provide to the community.

5 RAC Meeting Minutes, October 4, 2012 Page 5 Staff Report Mike Eason reports that the boardwalk walking tour in place, and he encourages us to try the QR codes. New Business Preston says that next month the committee will take nominations for elections. See Ken Taylor, who will chair the nominating committee. The meeting adjourned at 4:38pm.