VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — What should be done with Rudee Loop in Virginia Beach?
That was the question at the forefront of a Virginia Beach City Council meeting Tuesday afternoon.
For years, the city has talked about redeveloping the space at the southern end of the boardwalk.
Planning Director for Virginia Beach, Kathy Warren, says 4,269 people participated in a recent online survey regarding the future of Rudee Loop.
The majority of residents want Rudee Loop to be a green space and they do not want a hotel or apartments built there. Here are some of the results:
- 71% come to Rudee Loop for the green open space
- 83% do not want a hotel at Rudee Loop
- 59% do not want residential property
City leadership has been looking at four options including a plan from Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation. In fact, Warren says 64% of those surveyed support the Parks and Rec option.
On Tuesday, councilmembers weighed in, one by one, and the overall consensus is they'd like to have the parks and recreation department get some expert advice for a formal proposal.
Councilmember Michael Berlucchi said it was one of the best conversations he's had on the topic of what to do with Rudee Loop.
"This space has always been referred to during conversations I've been involved with, as one of the most valuable pieces of real estate on the east coast," Berlucchi said. "I believe that to be true...not for its financial value and development potential but because it's such a special piece of property in the way that it's situated on the Rudee Inlet.
Longtime Councilmember Barbara Henley said this has been discussed for years and perhaps it's time to make it happen.
“Past councils, in acquiring this property, recognized that this was an extraordinary location and was a very special place and needed to have a special treatment for what was to be done," Henley stated.
Council agreed to revisit the issue during their retreat next Tuesday, August 22 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and it will be live-streamed.
