THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 15, 1995 TAG: 9501140092
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL REED, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
Now that the Dome is dead, what will occupy that Oceanfront site?
Resort Area Advisory Commission members hope its something to amuse tourists' children during summer months, such as a small carnival or a Kids Cove-type playground.
How about 116 more parking spaces? suggests city parking czar Henry Ruiz, who is proceeding with plans to pave over the bare ground formerly occupied by the 36-year-old civic center. The rest of the Dome property on Pacific Avenue, between 18th and 19th streets, already is a parking lot.
Other, bigger and more distant plans are afoot as well. City economic development officials see the Dome property as an ideal site for a major entertainment complex on the order of a Carolina Opry or Dixie Stampede.
But, until something permanent is selected the resort advisory commission and Oceanfront business operators would like to fill the void at least temporarily by providing more amusements for visiting families.
The commission voted Thursday to ask the city to put parking expansion plans on hold and to explore the other two options.
Use of the strategic plot on Pacific Avenue became the center of a minor debate at the commission meeting Thursday.
Henry Richardson, president of the Virginia Beach Hotel and Motel Association, said innkeepers want to see a carnival operation on the property during the summer.
Commissioners David R. Hager and Earl P. Fraley were not convinced that was the right choice.
``I'm not sure I'm very enthusiastic about something that I see at mall parking lots,'' he said.
``Amusements and family atmosphere are fine, but I'm not sold on using that site for something like that.''
Commission chairman Roger F. Newill suggested that the carnival plan be placed up for bids, with specific demands requiring potential carnival operators to refrain from clustering too many amusement rides on the site, if the city agrees to landscape it.
``In Europe, carnivals are placed in park-like settings,'' he explained. ``It makes tacky rides more palatable.''
Paul West, attending the session as liaison for the city's Parks and Recreation Commission, suggested building a Kids Cove type playground at the Dome site.
West played a major role in organizing and erecting the Kids Cove playground at Mount Trashmore Park.
``It's very popular,'' he told advisory commissioners. ``It's exceeded expectations.''
What's more, West added, the volunteer group that organized the Kids Cove project is still intact and probably would be willing to tackle a similar program at the Dome site.
``With volunteers and donations, it could be built quickly,'' he said.
Commissioner R. Dawson Taylor said he preferred Newill's plan over the playground suggestion.
Fellow member Robert M. Tata Jr. had other ideas. ``Tourists would remember Kids Cove instead of a tacky carnival,'' he said.
Both concepts will undergo study by Rob Hudome, the city's resort programs coordinator. He is expected to return with some possible solutions within a month. by CNB