THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 27, 1994 TAG: 9411230262
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: KALEIDOSCOPE: ROADS TO THE FUTURE
SOURCE: By MICHAEL J. BARRETT
LENGTH: Medium: 95 lines
SCENARIO ONE:
At the offices of The Hampton Roads Partnership, the metropolitan area's economic development agency, Mr. Robert Prospect asks, ``My 1,500-employee, high-tech telecommunications and software development firm needs to locate in close proximity to Dam Neck/Oce-ana with good access to the USACOM Joint Warfare Simulation Training Center. Can we go into Corporate Landing?''
Bob Jones, the staff corporate recruiter, replies, ``You chose a superb location, but Corporate Landing filled up a few short years after completion of the Southeastern Expressway. We can show you sites at the Lake Ridge Teleport and Corporate Park.''
Mr. Prospect replies, ``But I need great access to interstate quality roads. How can I get my employees and my products and services in and out of Lake Ridge?''
Jones replies, ``We know that centers of employment require good highways. In fact, that is a prerequisite. You will be pleased to know that Lake Ridge is just two interchanges west of Corporate Landing at exit 5 of the Southeast Ex-press-way.''
``Well, good,'' says Prospect, ``but quality of life is also most essential for my employees. Our people are highly recruited, and to keep them we must locate where they will be happy and where their continuing education and family-life needs will be met. Why Lake Ridge?''
Jones knows he has got him now.
``Lake Ridge is at the center of all your employees' needs. At the eastern terminus of the Southeast Expressway is the resort area of the Beach, which has become the entertainment and cultural hub of Hampton Roads. Pavilion Arts and Conference Center, in its third expansion since the Southeast Expressway was approved, now has a 1,500-room convention hotel next door and, since the theater and convention hall were expanded, now hosts major regional conventions and entertainment events.
``Going west two more exits, you gain access to the amphitheater and the municipal complex at Princess Anne. Grandsons of the Beach Boys are playing there this weekend, and next week we will host the Vienna Boys Choir!
``Further, because the Southeast Expressway provides regional access to Lake Ridge, the ODU/NSU Senior Education Campus has been fully constructed and serves as the research and high-tech continuing-ed-u-ca-tion complex for the region.
``Both the NFL Virginia Colonials and the NBA Hampton Roads Squires play at the Hampton Roads stadium/arena complex, and the Hampton Roads Mariners, our entry in major-league soccer, now draws over 20,000 people per match. The amateur sports complex at Princess Anne Park has four quality golf courses, indoor and outdoor soccer, tennis, lacrosse, field hockey, track and field, a swimming and diving natatorium.
``And next year, in conjunction with Virginia Beach Events Unlimited and the Hampton Roads Sports Corp., a public-private sports marketing entity, we will host the Olympic Festival because we showed the Olympic Festival committee that we had all the necessary facilities, organizing skill, and experience.''
Prospect senses that Jones is ready to move in for the sell. ``But as mentioned, I need access to the USACOM center in Suffolk. How can I get there from Lake Ridge?''
``No problem,'' replies Jones. ``The Southeast Expressway connects through the Oak Grove connector to Interstate 64/464 and on to I-664. You can also reach Greenbrier, the Hampton Roads International Airport, the port complex and the medical complex in no time at all.
``The Southeastern Expressway acts as the outer loop of the interstate system, so in essence you would have an address at an interchange on the interstate highway system located within one day's driving time of two-thirds of the business addresses in the United States.''
Prospect realizes that Lake Ridge is perfect for his company. ``Your city and regional business leaders must have had great foresight to develop this expressway to provide access and quality of life for business and residents alike. I am sold. Let's pick a site within Lake Ridge.''
SCENARIO 2
``Do you have sites at Corporate Landing?'' Mr. Prospect asks.
``Why, yes, we do,'' says Bob Jones. ``You can join our first tenant, Corporate Landing Elementary. We have choice sites still available.''
``Well, how do I get to Corporate Landing?'' asks Prospect. ``I sure had trouble with the gridlock on the Virginia Beach/Norfolk Expressway on my way here.''
Jones replies, ``Take the Virginia Beach/Norfolk Expressway to First Colonial Road, go South to Virginia Beach Boulevard, turn left and go three blocks to Oceana Boulevard, turn right, go three miles to General Booth Boulevard . . .
``Wait!'' yells Jones as Prospect heads down the hall. ``Where are you going?''
As the door slams behind Prospect, he shouts. ``Have to catch a plane to Charlotte.'' MEMO: Michael J. Barrett is chairman of the Hampton Roads Chamber of
Commerce.
by CNB