THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, April 6, 1995 TAG: 9504060331
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL REED, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 90 lines
Now that a 10-year Atlantic Avenue facelift is nearly complete, the city plans to turn its cosmetic attentions to Pacific Avenue.
The Virginia Beach engineering firm of Langley & McDonald was selected this week to study the scope and cost of beautifying the three-mile strip in much the same way Atlantic Avenue was redone.
While the Pacific Avenue makeover wouldn't be as elaborate, it would include street-widening, new traffic turn lanes, buried utility lines and the installation of new water and sewer lines, traffic signals and street lights.
``Basically, we'll be replicating Atlantic Avenue improvements, but the only side streets to get treatment probably will be Laskin Road, the Dome site (19th and 20th streets) and 17th Street,'' said Ralph Smith, the city's public works director.
The fancy brick paving prevalent along Atlantic Avenue and the Boardwalk probably would be limited to intersections to keep expenses down, Smith said.
Langley & McDonald was selected from about 10 firms to conduct a study of Pacific Avenue, although the cost and timetable of the survey have not been determined.
One year remains on the Atlantic Avenue project, which began in 1986 and has cost about $36 million. The last segment involves the reconfiguration of the merger of Atlantic and Pacific avenues at 42nd Street. The streets now converge in front the old Cavalier Hotel, and plans call for the area to be bulldozed and elaborately landscaped to form a welcoming northern gateway to the resort district.
Once the job is finished in May 1996, city officials foresee continued beautification work on Pacific Avenue from 42nd Street to the Rudee Inlet Bridge.
The entire project, being done in an effort to stimulate tourism, is included in a $93 million Tourism Growth Investment Fund initiative approved by the City Council in 1991.
The initiative calls for the construction of a 20,000-seat amphitheater, expansion of the Virginia Marine Science Museum and the Pavilion Convention Center, construction of several professional-quality golf courses and the revitalization of the Boardwalk. Several of those projects are under way.
The proposed Pacific Avenue facelift has yet to get the approval of the Resort Area Advisory Commission, a citizens panel appointed in 1983 to oversee tourism-related improvements and activities in Virginia Beach.
``Let's get some idea of the cost first,'' commission Chairman Roger Newill said Wednesday.
Development of property near the Pavilion Convention Center on 19th Street, the intersection of Laskin Road and Baltic Avenue, and the 17th Street corridor to the Oceanfront may take precedence over the Pacific Avenue renovation, he said, adding, ``I have yet to perceive problems on Pacific that are so bad that they need immediate attention.''
Pacific Avenue beautification also brought mixed responses from business operators queried Wednesday.
While not opposed to a street facelift, George Proferes, owner of Waffles & Co. at 1710 Pacific Ave., questions the value.
``What does it help?'' he asked. ``Right now we're looking at taxes, taxes, taxes.''
John Colaprete, part-owner of The Jewish Mother at 3108 Pacific Ave., is of the same mind. ``I'm not really pleased with that at all,'' he said. ``I saw what it did to Atlantic Avenue. The city spent a lot of money on it. It certainly looks nice, but did it bring in any more business?''
Thomas Murphy, owner of Murphy's Emerald Isle Motor Apartments in the 1000 block of Pacific Avenue, was upbeat. ``Anything that'll dress the Beach up anybody would be for,'' he said.
Also enthusiastic was Carolyn Jarrett, manager of the Christmas Attic, a specialty shop at Pacific Avenue and 20th Street. ``I think it's needed and would be a great asset to the Beach,'' she said.
Preston Midgett, owner of Jungle Golf of Virginia Beach, at 22nd Street and Pacific Avenue, was somewhat guarded.
``I think it would be a nice thing to do,'' he said. ``I think putting utilities underground would be great, but I'm concerned about widening the street. I've got things like trees and pools that would have to be moved and that would be very expensive.'' ILLUSTRATION: MARTIN SMITH-RODDEN
Staff photos
The upgraded intersection of Atlantic Avenue and 21st Street, left,
contrasts with the existing intersection of Pacific Avenue and 21st
Street, right, at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. The Virginia Beach
engineering firm of Langley & McDonald was selected this week to
study the scope and cost of beautifying a three-mile strip of
Pacific Avenue from 42nd Street to the Rudee Inlet Bridge.
STAFF MAP
by CNB