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http://www.yesvirginiabeach.com/Resource...nswers.pdf

Sounds like a decision will be made by May 19th.

Do they know who would go IN this arena?

(05-02-2014 11:51 AM)MonarchManiac Wrote:  Do they know who would go IN this arena?

From my understanding this is an arena which is being planned to be profitable with or without a professianal sports franchise as the primary tenant. The plan is to bring in major entertainment acts which currently bypass the area, big-time college basketball tiurnaments such as the ACC, and perhaps events such as Olympic qualifiers. None of that would preclude the arena from being the location of a NBA or NHL franchise if that possibility ever presented itself or was pursued.

I hate to be selfish about this but I am strongly against an arena or any pro team. I would be bummed to see the corporate marketing dollars drained or spread around in other directions when we have so much happening in the next 5 years.

IMO we have come a long way but still have miles to go.

(05-02-2014 11:51 AM)MonarchManiac Wrote:  Do they know who would go IN this arena?

No permanent teams initially. Would make VB a very desirable target for NBA team, though.

A big concern for VB has always been boosting a dead winter economy, and one way to do that is to bring in a few big concerts. Another way is to host NCAA tournament games, which could kickstart the tourist season a couple months early. A third way that I think the arena would be a hit in this area is to lure the UFC to Virginia Beach for a big ticket event. Joe Silva lives in Richmond, so I think he could certainly sell the area to Dana White. Dana also loves the military, and what better way to show appreciation than to jump into this market?

So sure, this proposal is not ideal to begin with because there is no permanent tenant, but I think it's a risky move that needs to be taken. I am a little more in favor of the proposals that take the city off the hook for a chunk of the cost, as well. Hopefully this goes through. I like the fact that the city is being proactive here and not waiting around for pro teams to come calling.

I can't fathom the ACC tournament coming to VB, but I think it would put us in the ballpark for the A-10, C-USA, first- and second-round NCAA basketball, maybe a women's final four. My sense of disappointment comes from its location; it's like the leaders here have learned nothing in the past 50 years. Why right at the ocean, instead of somewhere people from all over Hampton Roads can more easily get to it. Nothing's going to change until the people who lead us change their mindset about us being separate fiefdoms.

(05-02-2014 12:38 PM)jumpshooter Wrote:  Why right at the ocean, instead of somewhere people from all over Hampton Roads can more easily get to it.

The idea is that people will come to the area for an event and spend money/time down at the oceanfront, and vice-versa. If you put good events in the arena (which wouldn't be too hard), people are going to come regardless. As it stands, residents in this area have to travel much further for such entertainment, so what's a 30 minute drive? And if VB ever gets its act together and runs the light rail out to the oceanfront, they're making it that much easier.

(05-02-2014 12:38 PM)jumpshooter Wrote:  I can't fathom the ACC tournament coming to VB, but I think it would put us in the ballpark for the A-10, C-USA, first- and second-round NCAA basketball, maybe a women's final four. My sense of disappointment comes from its location; it's like the leaders here have learned nothing in the past 50 years. Why right at the ocean, instead of somewhere people from all over Hampton Roads can more easily get to it. Nothing's going to change until the people who lead us change their mindset about us being separate fiefdoms.

I agree with this. Coming from Newport News, they might as well put it in Richmond if it is at the Oceanfront in my eyes. Heck, with the parking situation at the Oceanfront, I'd actually prefer it in Richmond. I will certainly attend an occasional event that falls on a weekend night, and a game or two every year if we get an NBA team, but I wouldn't be in the market for season tickets or any kind of regular attendance. Same thing with Farm Bureau. I have been there exactly 3 times.

I only wish it was a 30-minute ride from where I live to the oceanfront; hell, it's 45-50 minutes to ODU and I have football and basketball season tickets. I'm only saying that we refuse to think regionally and it has hurt us badly for years. You're right, though, people now have to drive to Raleigh or DC to see some of the acts that will consider coming here; I can't argue that.

Being in Yorktown, I echo Ever's statements.

Residents on the peninsula, especially as far up as Williamsburg or Yorktown, are in a tough spot because it's too far to make it a regular trip but it's too close to go on vacation to VB. For that reason, I would assume they aren't really the main target for this proposal.

The big draw for this would come from the southside and from tourists who vacation here, and that's still a very large market from which to draw.

Just to backup what I'm saying, here are the 2011 population numbers I found:

Virginia Beach- 441,246
Norfolk- 243,985
Chesapeake- 225,898
Newport News- 181,027
Hampton- 137,372
Portsmouth- 96,368
Suffolk- 85,962
York Co.- 65,973
Williamsburg- 14,256

So out of a market of roughly 1.5M, 1.1M of that comes from the southside. If I'm VB, I'm probably more concerned with residents within arms reach (aka, residents who don't have to venture across the bay), as well as tourists who live far enough away to call a trip to VB a vacation.

(05-02-2014 12:38 PM)jumpshooter Wrote:  I can't fathom the ACC tournament coming to VB, but I think it would put us in the ballpark for the A-10, C-USA, first- and second-round NCAA basketball, maybe a women's final four. My sense of disappointment comes from its location; it's like the leaders here have learned nothing in the past 50 years. Why right at the ocean, instead of somewhere people from all over Hampton Roads can more easily get to it. Nothing's going to change until the people who lead us change their mindset about us being separate fiefdoms.

During the last round of arena talk John Swofford said they would bring the ACC tournament here. Things certainly change, but I certainly wouldn't right off the chance.

An arena, such has been outlined in the press, is not a good idea for this area. If private interests want to fund such an endeavor at 100% THEIR COST, including local infrastructure costs required for the facility, then let them have at it. Our elected leaders would do better at focusing local tax dollars on improving our schools, roads, jobs, and per capita income.

That's exactly why they wanna build this arena. You need tax money to pay salaries of teachers, policeman, fireman, etc. The increased revenue the arena will generate will do that.


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(05-04-2014 11:37 AM)Sithlord Wrote:  That's exactly why they wanna build this arena. You need tax money to pay salaries of teachers, policeman, fireman, etc. The increased revenue the arena will generate will do that.


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Would you have a reference to any studies that show these numbers? I'd like to see what the real revenues are vs. the expenses that the VB taxpayers would incur.

And do you have any studies showing that growing the entrainment attractions of the beach would not generate revenue?

Regardless, Virginia Beach has not shown any difficultly providing the needed infrastructure for a vibrant thriving city. Why some folks are so against progress boggles my mind. VA Beach has continually been rated one of the best cities of its size, and will continue to be with or without an arena. I for one would welcome the addition of more excitement and entertainment. Those who don't like progress should move to, or stay on, the peninsula.

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I thought I read 2 options. 1 is almost entirely privately funded and I believe that's the one they are leaning towards. I'll have to reread the pdf.

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Let VB build their arena. It will just motivate the City of Norfolk to do more for ODU's football stadium. It's called keeping up with the Joneses.

(05-04-2014 03:40 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  And do you have any studies showing that growing the entrainment attractions of the beach would not generate revenue?

Regardless, Virginia Beach has not shown any difficultly providing the needed infrastructure for a vibrant thriving city. Why some folks are so against progress boggles my mind. VA Beach has continually been rated one of the best cities of its size, and will continue to be with or without an arena. I for one would welcome the addition of more excitement and entertainment. Those who don't like progress should move to, or stay on, the peninsula.

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You basically provided a response to your own argument here. The fact is that the City of Virginia Beach has its own niche already with the boardwalk. The majority of tourists come to the city for this reason. The number of new tourists an arena would bring in would be minimal. They don't need to attract more people, thats not a problem. This arena would be nothing more than a minor side show in my eyes.

No matter what proposal is made public, significant city money will be tied up in any arena being built. I tend to agree that there are several other priorities such as infrastructure, schools, etc. that could reap more benefits for the City of Virginia Beach.

As for your comment about those who don't like progress should move: Really? The majority of Virginia Beach residents oppose this idea because they are the ones who will be stuck dealing with all of the downfall for a project like this. What happens if the arena runs into the ground after the initial buzz and the investors run away? You are stuck with an eyesore and problems that ultimately come back to the residents. Most of the residents enjoy the boardwalk for what it is. It's that simple.

If you are so bent up about trying to getting an arena in an attempt to pluck a pro sports team to fulfill your fantasy then maybe you should move to a city that already supports it. There is a reason this area hasn't seen a pro team in 100+ years. It doesn't have the interest of the public.

What happens if all your negative what ifs don't happen. What happens if we get a NBA team and they win a title, and sell out every game and the next Lebron comes to play in VB and the beach becomes known for the great, large, city that it is and businesses start to relocate...

The point is, you make a lot of negative assumptions. And flat out lies, like the majority of citizens don't want an arena. Stop getting your news from the pilot comments section.

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