THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, April 27, 1996 TAG: 9604270335
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A9 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Short : 44 lines
The Hampton Roads Partnership will hire and direct a consultant to decide whether, how and where the region should build a 20,000-seat sports arena. The consultant will be paid by the cities and counties and the business community.
What is the partnership? A group of political, business, educational and military leaders being formed to help improve the area's economic competitiveness and foster regional cooperation.
How it started: The region's 10 city mayors and five chairs of county boards of supervisors determined 18 months ago that a new regional organization was needed. Norfolk Mayor Paul D. Fraim and Hampton Mayor James L. Eason were asked to form the partnership.
When does it begin? An organizational meeting will be held May 15. An executive committee will be named, and David Goode, CEO of Norfolk Southern Corp., and John O. Wynne, president and CEO of Landmark Communications, parent of The Virginian-Pilot, are expected to be named co-chairmen.
Public sector members: All 15 mayors and chairs; four senior military commanders; six university, med-school, college presidents; executive director of Virginia Port Authority; chairman of Hampton Roads Planning District Commission.
Prominent business members: Tim Robertson, president, The Family Channel; Vincent J. Mastracco Jr., attorney, Kaufman & Canoles; William B. Spong Sr., former U.S. senator and Portsmouth attorney; Jack W. Davis Jr., president/publisher, The Daily Press; Dan Hoffler, chairman of board, Armada Hoffler; James. F. Babcock, chairman, First Virginia Bank of Tidewater; Robert Wilburn, president, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation; Cameron Blandford, president, Newport News Shipbuilding; Hunter B. Andrews, Hampton attorney, former House of Delegates majority leader; Joshua P. Darden Jr., president of Darden Properties Inc.; Harry T. Lester, Virginia Beach Vision Inc.; E. George Middleton Jr., president, E.G. Middleton Co.; Elizabeth A. Duke, president, Bank of Tidewater. by CNB