DATE: Wednesday, March 26, 1997             TAG: 9703260448

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B3   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Public Life

                                            LENGTH:   75 lines

LAST NIGHT

PORTSMOUTH:

Budget examined: The city council and planning commission went over the city's proposed capital improvement budget together. See center story on this page for what's included.

Tower approved: The city council granted Area Wide Communications Inc. permission to construct a two-way mobile radio and paging tower at 3850 Broadway Street.

CHESAPEAKE:

Budget delivered: The proposed operating budget was made public Tuesday. No property tax rate increase, but money is being raised in other ways to offset a looming $19 million shortfall over the next two years. See Page B1.

New Kempsville Road: The council narrowly approved major design features of a six-lane stretch of Kempsville Road and passed a resolution asking the state to begin acquiring the rights-of-way for the expansion. Construction is expected to begin this fall and is expected to be complete by the fall of 2000.

VIRGINIA BEACH:

Stadium OK'ed: The City Council decided Tuesday to move ahead with a $9 million multipurpose stadium that could eventually be expanded to house a Major League Soccer team. The council decided to spend $750,000 for the design of the stadium, which will start out with 6,000 seats. See Page B1.

Juvenile center: The City Council agreed Tuesday to study building a larger juvenile detention center to alleviate overcrowding at the Tidewater Detention Home in Chesapeake, where Beach youths are now housed. The new center is expected to have 60 beds instead of the original 45 that were planned. See Page B7.

Whale watching endangered?: The owner of the Virginia Beach Fishing Center, base for local whale-and dolphin-watching tours and commercial fishing, said he might have to close his operation if the city doesn't do a better job of dredging Rudee Inlet. See Page B1.

Shelter approved: After a one-month delay, the council gave permission Tuesday for the creation of a shelter for youths with family problems, under the direction of Seton House. The new shelter will be located at St. Aidan's Episcopal Church on North Lynnhaven Road and Edinburgh. See Page B4.

NORFOLK

Five Points rezoning: The way is clear for a Rite Aid drug store on a corner at Five Points intersection in Norview that now is home to an apartment complex with 32 units and a laundry and car wash. See Page B7.

Offsetting military cuts: Norfolk has applied for $1 million in grants designed to assist areas affected by job losses associated with military base closings. The planned Berkley Shopping Center would receive $700,000 for public infrastructure improvements, and $300,000 would go to a small-business revolving loan fund.

Al fresco: Outdoor dining at the Magnolia Steak restaurant on the corner of Colley and Princess Anne avenues in Ghent will continue. The City Council on Tuesday approved continuation of a lease with the restaurant for a 168-square-foot piece of property.

Booker T. parking: City Attorney Philip Trapani was authorized to proceed with condemnation of the old Atlantic Ice House property on Princess Anne Road. The $58,000 property will be used for parking facilities for the football stadium at Booker T. Washington High School.

Wetlands gift: Norfolk accepted a $100,000 donation in goods and services from the Elizabeth River Project to construct a wetlands demonstration project called Birdsong Wetlands on city property adjacent to the Larchmont Library.

Bond sales: The council voted 6-1 to approve the sale of about $56.1 million in revenue bonds to finance a variety of capital improvement projects, including $4 million in Qualified Redevelopment Bonds to buy and demolish property in the 90-acre East Ocean View redevelopment area. It also approved the sale of $34 million in tax-exempt bonds to construct a new public health center near the intersection of Brambleton and Colley avenues. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic

HAMPTON ROADS BY THE NUMBERS

Residents with at least a bachelor's degree.

SOURCE: 1990 Census

[For complete graphic, please see microfilm]

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