News

Actions

Virginia Beach city council looks at what’s next after light rail vote fails

Posted at 9:34 PM, Nov 15, 2016
and last updated 2016-11-15 23:20:50-05

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - City council members are deciding how to use the land once meant for light rail tracks as well as the millions of dollars intended for the project.

In their first meeting since voters decided not to support extending light rail from Norfolk to Virginia Beach, city council members gave answers as to what's next would take time.

"I look forward to the conversations," said Councilman John Moss. Part of the money intended for light rail was generated through a real estate tax increase. Moss says he supports undoing the tax and then voting separately on using the funds for something else.

Storm drains and water management could see the impact of the money. "It's going to protect the value of neighborhoods. It's going to protect the citizens," said Council member Shannon Kane of the idea of using the money for drains.

The talks focused not just on money, but also about what to do with transportation in the city overall. "We must continue to grow out city and how we will do that will be determined in the weeks and months ahead," said Mayor Will Sessoms.