VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) – Nearly 80 percent of people who responded to a recent survey say they either ‘love’ or ‘like’ the idea of a public fishing pier, yet many people expressed concern about the city spending taxpayer money on any new development at the Oceanfront.
“Stop spending our tax money on these boondoggles and fix the drainage problems,” one person wrote.
The city has big plans for the Beach Entertainment District, positioned between 14th and 20th streets from Atlantic Avenue to Birdneck Road. The plans include a new pier, surf park, sports fieldhouse and a new hotel next to the Convention Center.
A respondent wrote, “Virginia Beach needs projects like this to compete in the beach town markets.
Without redevelopment, Virginia Beach will continue to lag behind cities that are moving forward.”
The survey, conducted online throughout March, generated 2,578 responses and 1,938 comments. About 75 percent of respondents were 41 years and older.
The chart below shows how people rated different attractions. Public parks, parking and live music top the list.
A majority of people say they are against adding a ‘skywheel’ to any pier that is built. The city has set aside $21.5 million to build a new pier. They will then select a developer to build amenities.
A previous survey shows 73 percent of people approve of a surf park to help revitalize the former Dome site.
The city is building a new sports fieldhouse next to the Convention Center, however the survey did not ask residents if they supported the idea. The survey asked if people would watch high school or collegiate sports, to which a majority answered they would not.
A casino and farmers market also received strong support.
To see the full breakdown of responses to the survey, click here.
