Latest news with #GreenbrierAreaPlan
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Chesapeake adopts $1.7 billion budget without real estate tax hike
CHESAPEAKE — City leaders this week approved an operating fiscal 2026 budget of $1.7 billion that grants city raises, implements the Greenbrier Area Plan and funds enhanced public safety needs and projects. City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to adopt the budget, which will span July 1 to June 30, 2026, and includes $17 million in amendments made since the initial budget presentation in March. The multi-year capital improvement plan allocates $217 million in fiscal 2026 — about $22 million less than what was initially presented due to council avoiding tax hikes. The CIP includes $47.8 million for police and fire facility replacement, $22 million for Greenbrier Area Plan implementation, and $11 million for site readiness program. Leaders spent weeks considering a 2-cent increase on the city's real estate tax rate of $1.01 per $100 of assessed value to cover a host of staffing and equipment needs for the police and fire departments, which was met with pushback from residents. Among those needs was a second set of firefighting gear, police technology enhancements, additional staffing for Animal Services and fire rescue, medic and tanker trucks. But council members ultimately agreed to generate about $5 million annually by redirecting an 8-cent mosquito control dedication to a new public safety dedication, funding utility projects only in the designated utility enterprise fund without general fund support, and using $500,000 that can be taken from the budget's bottom line. That approach left about $200,000 of additional funds for another priority. At Tuesday's meeting, council members voted 6-1 on a request from council member Jeff Bunn to use the funding as a supplement for the victims witness protection program, carried out by the sheriff's office. Only council member Daniel Whitaker voted against it. Chesapeake council backs away from tax hike, instead considers water and sewer increase Hundreds oppose Chesapeake data center, commission recommends denial South Hampton Roads regional trail construction continues despite delays in Chesapeake Part of the series of budget votes also included a transfer of $4.9 million in surplus funds from the Greenbrier Tax Increment Financing District and $5.7 million of surplus funds from the South Norfolk Tax Increment Financing District fund balances to the city's general fund balance. Portions of tax revenue from property assessments within these special districts are earmarked specifically for projects there, primarily to spur economic development and improve infrastructure. The Greenbrier TIF will see a $15 million allocation in the fiscal 2026 budget, while South Norfolk will receive $14 million. The city will maintain its personal property tax rate of $4.08 per $100 of value. Some fees and taxes, however, will increase. The hotel tax rate will increase by $1, bringing it up to $2 per night. The increased revenue generated will be dedicated to the city's conference center special revenue fund. Additionally, all monthly water and sewer service charges and usage rates will increase by 2.9% on Jan. 1 following previous action taken by council. The budget vote also included a redirection of a half percent of the meals tax to the city's lockbox. The budget includes a $680.6 million transfer to Chesapeake Public Schools for its operating budget, including an additional $20.7 million budget request from CPS that wasn't included in the initial budget. Council also opted not to fund a data analyst position requested by the fire department and EMS. At Tuesday's meeting, several speakers made pleas for increased funding to various nonprofits and organizations, such as Meals on Wheels, Chesapeake Humane Society, ForKids and a career and community development program called 'Neighborhood.' George Reed of the New Chesapeake Men for Progress pushed for the city to fund the construction of a convocation center that could be used for the city's high school graduations. He also pushed for more funding to mitigate flooding. Vice Mayor John de Triquet addressed the crowd at the meeting, stating that council members have the flexibility to come back and amend the budget at future meetings. Council member Debbie Ritter said the public comment on the city's Human Services grant showed there may be 'duplication of efforts' in Chesapeake, and that the schools' system may be in a better position to fund some of the city's nonprofit organizations. Natalie Anderson, 757-732-1133,
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Chesapeake is planning for the future of Greenbrier. Here's how to get involved.
CHESAPEAKE — Leaders are finalizing future land use plans for the Greenbrier area of Chesapeake and want feedback from residents. For more than two years, city leaders have been working to conceptualize and plan for the future of Greenbrier, the city's main commercial hub, as part of the overall citywide comprehensive land use plan. The citywide comprehensive plan will ultimately guide future development and plan for an additional 50,000 residents in Chesapeake by 2045, Planning Director Jimmy McNamara previously told The Virginian-Pilot. Greenbrier is the largest center for employment in the city, with an average daytime employment of nearly 50,000 people. One of the area's largest commercial spaces is the Greenbrier Mall, of which the bulk was sold at an auction last month. Though future plans for the space are not clear, a city spokesperson previously said project plans will factor into the Greenbrier area plan. Residents will have two opportunities next week to learn more about the vision for the Greenbrier area. A draft of the Greenbrier area plan can be found online at A community meeting will be held between 6-8 p.m. Monday at Greenbrier Middle School. The public can learn more details and ask questions at the meeting. The city Planning Commission will also discuss the plan during a work session at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the Apex Room at Summit Pointe. The meeting is a public hearing, but there will be no public comments at the meeting, according to the agenda. The study area for the plan is an approximately 12-square-mile area bounded by Military Highway to the north, Chesapeake city line to the east, Kempsville Road to the south and the Chesapeake Expressway to the west. Greenbrier is home to more than 35,000 residents. The draft plan includes a market report and design guidelines. It also touches on the use of open space, infrastructure and transportation in the area. It highlights five locations for future transformation, noting they have 'the greatest potential to change significantly from their current form.' The ideas for those districts include a mixed-use community around Chesapeake Regional Healthcare Center, a recreation-focused area around existing Battlefield Corporate Center, a vibrant mixed-use district that builds around Summit Pointe, maintaining but enhancing Greenbrier Mall as a regional destination for entertainment and retail, and building up commercial and hotel space around the Chesapeake Conference Center. 'The purpose of the Greenbrier Area Plan is to develop strategies to guide future development, maintain Greenbrier's economic advantage in the marketplace and attract new businesses and residents by improving the qualities that make Greenbrier a unique place in the city,' the city stated in a news release about the community meeting. City staff have touted redevelopment efforts like the large mixed-use Summit Pointe, which has attracted more than a dozen restaurants, as an example of reimagining the future of the area. Greenbrier also relies on special tax district revenue to fund infrastructure and capital projects for the area. Residents can weigh in on the draft plans through April 9. The Chesapeake Planning Department can be reached at planning@ or 757-382-6176. City staff will provide all the compiled feedback and plans to present to both Planning Commission and City Council members for approval. Natalie Anderson, 757-732-1133, ___ What: Greenbrier Area Plan community meeting Where: Greenbrier Middle School, 1016 Greenbrier Parkway, Chesapeake When: 6-8 p.m. Monday Contact: Chesapeake Planning Department, planning@ or 757-382-6176
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Greenbrier Mall has been sold, multiple sources say new owner will be local
CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) — The majority of Greenbrier Mall has been auctioned off and while a the winning bid has not yet been publicly disclosed, multiple sources say the property will now be in local hands. The three-day online auction for the more than 562,000-square-feet of retail space concluded yesterday afternoon. Specifically, the Macy's and JCPenney department stores, interior mall shops and the former Abuelo's Mexican Restaurant were up for grabs. Bidding started at $6 million; however, it's not yet known the final purchase price. The sale will mark the end of what has been a nearly three year process that began when Tennessee-based CBL Properties lost the property in 2022 after they defaulted on a nearly $62 million loan balance. Most of Greenbrier Mall to be auctioned off in February 'Unfortunately both seller and buyer have requested confidentiality,' Mark Williford, a broker with Newmark who helped with the transaction, said. 'What I will say is the mall will be in great hands.' It's likely any sale won't be made public for several weeks. As with any other real estate transaction, a due diligence period is typical. However, two sources, not authorized to speak publicly on the matter, say the top bidder was local to Hampton Roads. The mall, which first opened in 1981, has a 82% occupancy rate, with three of its four anchor stores remaining in operation: JCPenney, Macy's and Dillard's. There is also a Cinema Café on the ground floor. Dillard's and the former Sears property, which sits vacant were not part of the auction. Dillard's owns its store and Virginia Beach developer Mike Sifen owns the Sears. 'It was a very competitive process which speaks to the performance of the asset and the attractive submarket fundamentals of Greenbriar,' Williford said. While Willford's agency touts a positive operating income of $3.4 million per year, it's no secret that across the country, indoor shopping malls have suffered in recent years — with shoppers opting to shop online and at discount retailers over traditional department stores that tend to be more high-end. The city of Chesapeake planning department is currently finalizing the Greenbrier Area Plan, which takes into account the best use of the mall property. 'It will have a very bright future,' Williford said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
