THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, January 18, 1996 TAG: 9601180470
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: By KATRICE FRANKLIN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 52 lines
After a heated debate over land once owned by the Navy, the City Council voted unanimously to delay indefinitely submitting final plans for the former Naval Radio Transmitting Facility near Driver.
During a public hearing, some residents questioned whether the city's plan to use the abandoned land served the best interest of the entire city.
Harry Young, president of a local youth organization which targets at-risk youth, complained that the city's plan failed to include his request to use 50 acres for a summer camp and new headquarters because of the type of children that would use it. Young's organization, known as Youth Entertainment Studios, works with children across the country and tries to get them involved in entertainment, production and media professions.
``I hope that the city would reevaluate the proposal,'' Young said. ``When we said we were working with at-risk youth, we all of a sudden weren't part of the mix. We didn't fit. I beg to differ because the whole plan involves youth.''
Under the city's plan, the vacant 597 acres would be used for an environmental education center, to be run in conjunction with Old Dominion University; a Little League athletic field and a city park that would include access to the Nansemond River. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Refuge would also receive some of the property.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Department of Interior and the city have all been vying for portions of the property, which has access to the Nansemond River.
City officials hired a consultant to conduct a series of meetings with residents about what should be done with the property.
Consultants presented the council with a plan in December based on what Suffolk citizens wanted.
The final plan is supposed to be submitted to the Navy, which will decide between the competing proposals.
Councilman Charles F. Brown urged the council to delay its vote until it studied Young's request.
``I'm very outrageous and upset,'' said Brown. ``ODU is about education. Parks and Recreation is about education. YES (Youth Entertainment Studios) is also about education. I am not going to sit here and allow anything like this to happen. I think we have enough land to include all three.''
Councilman Richard R. Harris suggested that the city look for another location for the youth-oriented entertainment organization.
KEYWORDS: SUFFOLK CITY COUNCIL by CNB