THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 31, 1996 TAG: 9603290234
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 07 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Meyera E. Oberndorf
LENGTH: Medium: 78 lines
Editor's note: The following letter was written March 8 by Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf and sent to 14 Hampton Roads mayors and county chairs concerning the region's interest in attracting a major league sports team and building an arena. Oberndorf will brief her colleagues on the City Council at 11 a.m. Tuesday on this subject.
Dear Members:
As we come together today to discuss the possibility of a truly joint approach to attracting major league sports to the Hampton Roads region, it is critical that we be clear and straight-forward with each other regarding this exciting opportunity.
With this letter I have attempted to specify the criteria necessary for the City of Virginia Beach to participate in the joint effort. I encourage each community to do likewise in order to avoid any misunderstanding later and thereby increase our collective chances of success in this endeavor.
Our thoughts are as follows:
1. As previously stated, Virginia Beach feels strongly that every community in the region should be offered an up-front opportunity to participate in the study.
2. The necessary consulting services need to be provided by a nationally known and respected professional selected by an open and competitive process. This endeavor is inherently a high visibility undertaking and will necessitate broad public support to ultimately be successful. If an open and competitive selection process takes longer - so be it. The increased public confidence in the process will be invaluable later on when public support is requested.
3. Since public funds are involved, the study process should be guided by an advisory committee composed of elected officials supported by appropriate staff expertise. The services contract and public funds for the conduct of the project shall be managed by an organization such as the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission or a participating local government.
4. The study should be structured in such a manner to contain a discrete first phase addressing key issues of market and financial feasibility only. Upon a favorable finding and following the first phase, the study scope could then appropriately address franchise issues and project location.
5. The City of Virginia Beach has concerns that the final project complexion be carefully considered to positively reinforce the economics of the region and the host community. Clearly, it would be very difficult for any community to support a project that would substantially and negatively impact a major component of its economy or existing facility. In our case, local support of a regional project that would materially damage our convention or hospitality industries will not be possible. We reserve the right to independently analyze and determine those interrelationships and impacts.
6. The study should be structured to include options for a number of region-wide quality of life projects. This approach obviously has substantial financial dimensions but could also be crucial to fashioning a successful strategy necessary for broad public support and funding.
7. The location of the major professional sport arena, or any other aspect of the study, cannot be predetermined.
8. An open and inclusive participation, review and comment process should be provided as an essential ingredient of any study scope of services. This will help insure that all interests and priorities can be intelligently considered. Such a process can help build understanding about the project and public trust in the process.
9. Any major facility constructed or any professional sports team located in the region as a result of this joint collaborative process, should not be named for any single host community.
I believe the conditions outlined above will enhance the probability of a win-win solution that will be deserving of strong public support. Unanimous region-wide participation in this joint process could be put in motion an extremely beneficial effort that can shape our region in significant and positive ways. I encourage your active participation and support to seize this unique opportunity. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Meyera Oberndorf
by CNB