VIRGINIA BEACH — With the opening of the new surf park checked off, the city is doubling down on its support for action sports.
Virginia Beach is seeking a developer to build and operate another sports venue at the Oceanfront, possibly for skateboarding, BMX, rock climbing, indoor ice or water sports or other indoor sports.
“We think there are opportunities, plural, with other sports,” said Councilman Worth Remick.
The facility could be constructed adjacent to the convention and sports centers along 19th Street between Parks Avenue and Birdneck Road, according to the city’s request for proposals published online at yesvirginiabeach.com.
Three areas of city-owned surface parking lots, totaling approximately 28.6 acres and 2,513 parking spaces, have been identified at potential locations for the venue.
Remick said the Virginia Beach Sports Center on 19th Street is “performing better” under a new operator, and the city is encouraged by the success its seeing in sports tourism.
“We like sports tourism; we like action sports,” said Remick, who represents the district where the development would occur. “We want to build on it.”
The proposals must include how much the developer is willing to pay to lease or buy the city land, and any city financial support requested. The project’s fiscal impact will be one of the criteria evaluated by the city along with the developer’s credentials and parking impacts.
City officials have lauded the the recently-opened surf lagoon at Atlantic Park and have signaled support for a new venue that would address the growing interest in action sports including BMX.
The request for proposals touts Virginia Beach’s support of the Coastal Edge East Coast Surfing Championships, Jackalope action sports festival and the Super Girl surf festival, to be held Labor Day weekend.
“Interested parties that plan to create a vibrant, diverse, and connected development, while also complementing the creative energy of the adjacent ViBe Creative District, are encouraged to submit,” the request says.
The city has been taking a closer look at the 19th Street corridor in recent months, after the City Council heard details of a preferred plan for the central beach area, which includes the convention center district. City staff and consultants with Renaissance Planning and Dills Architects designed a plan for roughly 80 acres of land, which included recommendations for new residential areas, structured parking and an action sports facility.
The city’s Development Authority is also seeking proposals for a commercial or residential project with a public parking garage on the southeast corner of 19th Street and Parks Avenue. The property is currently operated as a public surface parking lot serving the convention center.
Proposals for the action sports venue are due by 3 p.m. on Dec. 5.
Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, stacy.parker@pilotonline.com