THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 14, 1996 TAG: 9602140370
SECTION: FINAL PAGE: A1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HARRY MINIUM AND KAREN WEINTRAUB, STAFF WRITERS
LENGTH: Medium: 99 lines
The Virginia Beach and Norfolk city councils, in separate actions Tuesday, agreed informally to hire a consultant to recommend how to pay for a 20,000-seat indoor sports arena - and how to attract a major professional team.
Virginia Beach officials, however, would not agree to Norfolk's suggestion that the arena be in downtown Norfolk. Beach officials want consultants to examine a number of sites in the region, and insisted that all cities in the region - not just Norfolk and Virginia Beach - be involved in the selection process.
Virginia Beach also declined to immediately hire Rick Horrow or Bob Walsh, two nationally known consultants whom Norfolk city officials have recommended. Beach officials instead called for an open bidding process.
Each of the councils agreed informally, but did not take an official vote.
Norfolk Mayor Paul D. Fraim said he was pleased with the result. ``If the decision here has gone from whether to build an arena to where,'' he said, ``that's a step forward.''
``I think there's great promise in the fact that the dialogue is going to continue. Obviously, we need to lay some more foundation and come to a clearer understanding about where we should proceed from here.''
Fraim and other Norfolk City Council members supported a suggestion from Horrow that if area cities build an arena, they also should fund other facilities regionally, including perhaps a convention center in Virginia Beach.
Oklahoma City hired Horrow in 1992 to put together a plan for nine projects, that included an arena and a museum.
``If we could bring the communities together on a project like this,'' Fraim said, ``it would indicate we could do a number of things together. You have to develop strategies where everyone wins.
``There will be projects that each one of the cities need that the region can pull together to accomplish.''
Fraim spoke briefly with Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf Tuesday and plans to speak with her at length today so they can agree on an interview process for hiring a consultant.
Then the discussions will branch out.
Fraim said he contacted other leaders in Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk and Hampton; he intends to speak with leaders in other cities. He said he will ask them to participate in the consultant's study, and hopes to hold a meeting this month among the region's mayors.
Getting regional cooperation could be tricky. Some Virginia Beach officials fear the arena project could hurt Beach convention business and take concerts from the amphitheater that is nearing completion on Landstown Road.
Beach Councilman William W. Harrison, a strong arena supporter, said he also is concerned about competition, but thinks cooperation is essential to untangling regional problems.
``(Fraim) made it clear that Norfolk is proceeding with plans for a venue for professional sports,'' Harrison said. ``They have come to us with the recognition that success depends on our participation.''
And Harrison pointed to other benefits. If Virginia Beach helps Norfolk get an arena, he said, Norfolk might be more willing to help Virginia Beach get water.
``This may be an insurance policy to go back to Norfolk and say will you help us,'' Harrison said. ``When a sister city asks for help in a manner that doesn't bankrupt us, I think we ought to participate.''
Harrison and Beach Vice Mayor W.D. Sessoms strongly favor an arena project. Councilman John A. Baum said he would support it if he thought Norfolk might return the favor someday.
Other council members expressed various concerns about the arena proposal, but said they could support a study as long as it considered locations regionwide.
The study would cost about $75,000. The Greater Norfolk Corporation and Visions of Virginia Beach, private groups who try to promote growth in their respective cities, have agreed to help the cities pay for the consultant, Fraim said.
Fraim said a steering committee of local political and business leaders will oversee the study and help attract an NBA or NHL team.
``I think it's healthy to have a discussion about the site now,'' Fraim said. ``And I think the arguments for a downtown location are compelling.'' ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
What are the cities discussing?
Hiring a consultant who would recommend how to fund a 20,000-seat
indoor sports arena and how to acquire a major professional team for
Hampton Roads.
What's at stake?
In the near term, an NBA or NHL team for Hampton Roads, the nation's
largest region without a major sports franchise.
What's next?
Norfolk Mayor Paul D. Fraim and Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera E.
Oberndorf today are to discuss the interview process to hire a
consultant. Also, Fraim plans to ask mayors and other leaders from
Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Hampton and Newport News to help
study a prospective arena.
KEYWORDS: PROPOSED ARENA by CNB