Here a Daily Press letter to the editor and news article combine to update the situation at Buckroe Beach, the Hampton shorefront neighborhood adjacent to Fort Monroe where city leaders, defying the public will, chose privatization over public waterfront parkland. Sandra Canepa, a leader of the opposition to this privatization, wrote the letter and is quoted in the article.  

 

 

Hampton's election

February 6, 2008

There is strong indication in many letters to the editor that Hampton residents are looking for fresh leadership.

Therefore, the news that former City Manager George Wallace, Mayor Ross Kearney and Councilman Charlie Sapp will be among the candidates seeking the three open seats in May for a four-year term on the City Council is unsettling.

The Jan. 17 article "Game on in Hampton!" states that Wallace is regarded as being part of a group often linked to former Mayor Jimmy Eason, who is now Hampton's economic development director. Most Hampton residents are aware that Eason wants development, development, development. Wallace's connection is scary for those of us who want to save what remains of Hampton's charm, history and public access to our beautiful waterfronts.

By the same token, most Hampton residents are aware both Kearney and Sapp ignored 13,000 signatures on a petition to design and develop Buckroe's Lots B into a city park. They also ignored more than 545 Hampton residents who chose a park design for Lots B in favor of a design which only 10 Hampton residents picked in a city-sponsored survey. Visit www.buckroebeach.org for more information on this issue.

My wish is for other decent, qualified individuals to throw their hats in the ring for Hampton City Council.

Sandra Canepa

Hampton

Buckroe overhaul to begin

VMRC could review the pier permits this month or in March.

By MATTHEW STURDEVANT

247-7874

February 7, 2008

HAMPTON

Construction vehicles are digging at the edges of grassy lots that were the foundation of Buckroe Beach Amusement Park from the late 1800s to 1985.

The lots have been mostly empty since 1985, when the park was torn down. A two-year debate about whether to keep the area as open space came to a climax during a City Council vote in January 2007. A year later, construction has begun that could lay the groundwork for private development on some of the land.

"It's disgusting," said Sandra Canepa of Buckroe, who opposed development of the lots. "This is not what the people wanted."

Many in Hampton wanted to keep the lots as open space, but the city's 2005 master plan for the area called for developing some of the land as a way to attract private investment that might revitalize the area. The two "A" lots between First Street and the beach were to be saved as a park, according to the master plan. The three "B" lots west of First Street were to be developed.

Canepa is part of an activist group self-named as the "Green Space Ladies" who rallied and solicited more than 12,000 signatures in favor of blocking development on the "B" lots. The council voted 5-2 to change the master plan for what they believed was a compromise involving some development and some open space. Vice Mayor Randy Gilliland and Councilwoman Angela Leary cast the opposing votes.

The first phase of construction involves about $450,000 of work to pave two connector roads through the "B" lots, connecting First and Second streets. Additionally, Pembroke Avenue will be separated by a median and an additional 145 parking spaces will be added. Parking is still a point of contention among those who say the B lots offer more parking space than on-street parking, provided the B lots are kept as open space.

A second phase of construction starts this summer. That phase should cost less than the first, and will include adding sidewalks, lighting and landscaping in the two "A" lots — the grassy park next to the beach, said project manager Mike Hodges.

City Engineer Fred Whitley said street work will be finished by Memorial Day and the remaining work at the park shouldn't be intrusive.

"It's not like they'll have to walk through a construction zone to go to the beach," Whitley said.

One of the B lots, between Pembroke and Point Comfort avenues just west of First Street was a gated Bark Park for people to walk dogs.

That has been closed and could be moved to Ridgway Park, . on East Mercury Blvd., said Parks & Recreation Director Jim Wilson. Wilson said moving the Bark Park to Ridgway Park is contingent on an environmental review.

Meanwhile, down the beach and south of the park, construction is expected to start this spring on a new pier. A privately-owned wooden pier on the beach was torn down during Hurricane Isabel in 2003.

The city will replace it with a concrete pier that has wooden decking for a cost of $4.1 million — $1.3 million for the land and $2.8 million to build it.

The city hopes to get a permit from the Virginia Marine Resource Commission after the state agency meets at the end of this month, Whitley said.

The pilings will go in first, then the decking, followed by the parking lot, restrooms and bait shop, Whitley said. Construction on the pier and amenities will last through 2008, Whitley said, but the pier itself could be open by the end of the summer with portable restrooms and a temporary bait shop.

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