The Virginia Beach City Council wants more information before deciding on a $70 million project to transform Rudee Loop into a lush public park.
“I really believe this is a ‘measure twice, cut once,’” said Councilmember David Hutcheson at Tuesday’s meeting. “There are so many little parts here. We’re not going to be able to account for them all;, that’s utopia. But we should try to account for as many as we can.”
Two weeks ago, architects presented park plans, which would add lawns, native plants, water features and walkways to the south end of Atlantic Avenue, space that’s mostly gravel and asphalt now.
The fate of Rudee Loop has generated decades of debate and current plans are on hold for a little longer.
The council was expected to provide direction this month but is pausing for a few weeks to develop a fundraising plan and review other Oceanfront projects planned for the Tourism Investment Program fund.
The Rudee design includes two parking options: A garage and surface lots, which would provide 530 spaces, or surface parking alone, which would provide 360, about the same number of spots currently available.
The parking garage changes construction costs by about $27 million. Without the garage, the park is estimated to cost about $43 million.
“I think we should just go with the surface parking plan for now,” said Vice Mayor Rosemary Wilson, citing the savings. “I think that’s kind of a no-brainer.”
Wilson said the parking garage could be added later. Hutcheson disagreed, saying more parking is a priority at the Oceanfront.
City leaders also discussed fundraising. Several park features including the pavilion, community lawn and ocean overlooks offer sponsorship opportunities through naming rights.
The park is expected to generate $1.5 to $2 million in revenue each year through ticketed and free events, food and beverage sales and rentals.
Councilmember Worth Remick, who represents the Oceanfront district, mentioned other projects in the area that require funding.
“We still have to reimagine Atlantic Avenue, we still have to find more parking at the resort, we still have the Aquarium.”
Remick said he wants to see the park go forward but have the city spend only so much: for example, around $15 million, with fundraising making up the rest.
Other members were broadly supportive of adding external funding and looking at how the plans fit in with other beach projects.
“Our goal is to get to ‘yes’ on this,” said Mayor Bobby Dyer. “We’re making a strategic pause, but we have to be decisive.”
Once park plans are approved, construction is expected to be complete in December 2028.
