The historic City budget that Linwood Branch and his Virginia Beach City Council colleagues passed this year will have a profound effect on our resort area and tourism economy for decades to come.
First, it aggressively tackles the parking issues that have challenged the resort area for years, committing $75 million to new parking solutions throughout the Oceanfront that will welcome more tourists and locals, while taking the summer-season parking pressures off our Beach neighborhoods.
Next, it makes a strategic investment in the iconic Atlantic Park project – the City’s largest public-private partnership in history.
Atlantic Park will completely transform the Resort Area.
It will bring a Town Center feel to the heart of the Oceanfront, with a state-of-the-art, indoor/outdoor live performance venue, world-class retail, dining and architectural design, and a signature surf lagoon – one of just 23 of its kind in the world!
“It’s an incredibly exciting time in the City and I’m proud of my City Council colleagues for the investment we’ve made in Atlantic Park. It will not only elevate our dining, recreation and entertainment offerings at the Oceanfront, it will lift our entire tourism economy for years to come. Virginia Beach is about to take off.”
-Linwood Branch
Planned at the former Dome site on property that has sat vacant and generated zero tax revenue for years, Atlantic Park is expected to attract thousands of new visitors and add $7 million in new tax proceeds to the City budget every year.
Atlantic Park will also be transformative in the way it connects the Resort Area to the ViBe District, Virginia Beach Convention Center and the new Virginia Beach Sports Center, which has already exceeded projections by a whopping 40 percent.
The momentum won’t stop here!
Linwood is listening closely to what his constituents have to say about plans for 6 undeveloped acres of land at Rudee Loop. With three proposals on the table, he understands how important the land, location and stunning waterfront views are to the locals who love it, and he’s committed to hearing what they have to say as he closely evaluates each proposal.
“It’s an incredibly exciting time in the City and I’m proud of my City Council colleagues for the investment we’ve made in Atlantic Park. It will not only elevate our dining, recreation and entertainment offerings at the Oceanfront, it will lift our entire tourism economy for years to come. Virginia Beach is about to take off.”
-Linwood Branch
Recreational sports
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The new Virginia Sports Center has performed 40% over its original projections, providing much-needed revenue to our city. Given its success and the promise of guaranteed waves at Atlantic Park’s surf lagoon, Linwood thinks the area has immense potential to bring even more participatory sports offerings to the Resort Area. The City is now exploring our next recreational sports opportunity, which will surely be enjoyed by our citizens and visitors.
