Chesapeake, Suffolk, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Hampton have installed speed cameras in local school and work zones to deter speeding and enhance overall public safety.

Though law enforcement leaders tout the equipment as a safety measure to deter speeding, the cameras can also be significant moneymakers — with Chesapeake and Suffolk already raking in millions.

Chesapeake has a dozen cameras that have been active since 2022. The city reports a total of 158,075 violations since then, along with about $9.7 million in revenue.

Another 10 cameras in Suffolk went active in fall 2023 along with one at a work zone. Since then, the city reports roughly 196,000 citations, collecting $14.2 million in revenue. After paying the vendor, net revenue is $10.5 million. Suffolk did not specify whether the citation and revenue figures provided to The Virginian-Pilot were specific to school and work zone speed cameras only. The city also operates red light and school bus cameras.

Both cities previously said net revenue would go toward highway safety improvements and personnel costs.

The school zone speed cameras in Chesapeake and Suffolk are targeted in two lawsuits brought by former Del. Tim Anderson, an attorney who alleges the cities are improperly issuing speeding violations and allowing third party vendors to impersonate local government when collecting fees.

Anderson’s case in Suffolk is awaiting an order from a judge on whether it will move forward. A hearing in the Chesapeake case is scheduled for Sept. 18.

The Virginia General Assembly approved legislation in 2020 that allows state and local police to set up speed cameras at highway work sites and school crossing zones. Under that law, only motorists caught going at least 10 mph over the speed limit are ticketed up to $100.

Hampton is in the process of rolling out a dozen cameras in school zones this fall as part of a pilot program with staggered warning periods.

A 30-day warning period began Aug. 26 for cameras located near Bethel High School, Hampton High School and Hunter B. Andrews Pre-K. A 30-day grace period will begin for cameras at Jones Magnet Middle School, Kecoughtan High School, Lindsay Middle School and Machen Elementary School by Sept. 30. And cameras at another set of schools — Mary W. Jackson Elementary School, Thomas Eaton Middle School, Aberdeen Elementary School, Barron Elementary School and William Mason Cooper Elementary — will have a 30-day grace period beginning no later than Oct. 15.

Hampton city officials said about $3.5 million would be budgeted for the school zone speed camera pilot program.

Norfolk has 19 cameras in place across 10 public school locations. A 60-day warning period was slated to end in May, but a city spokesperson said last week that the cameras are still in an active warning period “until summons language can be resolved with the general district court and our vendor, Verra Mobility.”

Part of Anderson’s complaint in his lawsuits was that officers weren’t issuing an official Virginia summons document consistent with other traffic infractions when making the speeding citations.

Portsmouth has 16 cameras, and police began fining drivers in December. The city reports 28,289 citations and $951,061 of revenue collected between January and June. Of the total revenue, $565,042 will be paid to the third-party vendor.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated with the latest citations and revenue figures from the city of Portsmouth. The city provided the figures after the article published.

Natalie Anderson, 757-732-1133, natalie.anderson@virginiamedia.com

Almost six years later, the project has a new planned development partner and a much smaller scope. Gone is the enormous tower, replaced by plans for a modest five-story, 200-room hotel and minimum spending of at least $300 million, according to a new development agreement City Council members will vote on Tuesday.

Even so, Mayor Kenny Alexander said he believes the Pamunkey’s new partner Boyd Gaming has the track record and legitimacy to follow through on development, including financing the project to the tune of more than $500 million.

“We’re very confident in Boyd’s ability to exceed our expectations, and more importantly, be a great corporate citizen,” Alexander said.

Here’s how the proposals for the casino have changed over the years.

___

Current plans call for scaled-back project

Design teams presented the current casino plans, backed by Boyd, to the Norfolk Architectural Review Board in August. They include:

• A 200-room, five-story hotel tower
• An at-least 935-space parking garage
• An outdoor pool and bar
• Restaurants, including a food hall with four or five restaurants; a sports bar and a steakhouse
• A fitness center and spa

Absent from the latest plans and the agreements is a marina on the Elizabeth River, which was shown in previous renderings.

However, the agreements would require casino developers to pay for part of two significant waterfront projects — up to $7.5 million for the southern portion of the downtown Norfolk seawall project and up to $562,000 to maintain the portion of the Elizabeth River Trail near the property.

The city documents reveal Boyd, a major Nevada gaming company with 28 properties in 10 states, is set to become the new majority owner of Golden Eagle Consulting, the company created by Yarbrough that oversees development. Under the new agreement, the Pamunkey Indian Tribe also would possess a 20% equity interest in the company.

It’s unclear from the documents whether Yarbrough would have a role in the new agreement. Alexander also didn’t know.

“I’ve never met him,” Alexander said about the billionaire backer. “I’ve never had a conversation with him on a telephone. I’ve never met him.”

Also removed from renderings is the name Golden Eagle previously used for the development: HeadWaters Casino and Resort.

___

Significantly smaller than 2019 plan

The latest plans are smaller in scale than what was presented to the City Council in September 2019, about a year before Norfolk voters passed a referendum authorizing the casino. Those plans included:

• A $700 million price tag
• 500 four-diamond hotel rooms
• 3,500-4,500 slot machines and 100-225 table games
• A 750-seat entertainment venue and a spa
• 3-5 restaurants
• Roughly 6,500 parking spaces

Some city officials, including former City Manager Chip Filer, were skeptical of the tribe’s initial investment figures. In a December 2019 economic analysis, the city predicted the developers would only spend $375 million on the project. As recently as 2023, however, tribe officials said investment in the development would top $500 million and include at least 300 hotel rooms.

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Agreement includes minimum standards

The new development agreement, like the old agreement, comes with minimum standards that must be met. It requires a minimum investment of $300 million. Other minimum standards detailed in an option-to-purchase agreement include:

• A casino floor with at least 750 electronic gaming machines and 25 table games
• At least 150 hotel rooms, with a lobby bar, retail store and coffee shop
• Several food and beverage venues including a food hall, a sports bar and grill, and a fine dining restaurant and lounge
• A 500-seat “intimate showroom”
• A parking garage with at least 103 spots for Amtrak customers
• An outdoor function space
• A spa and fitness center

A 2019 agreement by the developer and Norfolk also includes similar minimum figures, such as 750 gaming machines, 25 tables and 150 hotel rooms.

___

Timeline and construction phasing

One of the biggest hangups with the project has been the phasing of planned construction. An initial plan would have housed a temporary casino inside Harbor Park baseball stadium while the permanent structure was built. But that was scrapped after the city ran into statutory issues with using the location.

Developers later pitched a phased construction plan that built the casino first followed by the hotel and resort. But city leaders made clear they did not support the two-phase approach, and the design was pulled from review.

Alexander said, unlike the past proposals that included temporary gaming, he is confident Boyd can deliver on the whole project in a single phase.

Norfolk voters approved the casino construction in a 2020 referendum, which came with a five-year deadline. To meet that deadline for obtaining a state gaming license, Boyd plans to build a temporary casino at the site while construction for the permanent casino commences. The temporary casino would open in late 2025 and the permanent space in late 2027, according to a project timeline.

Norfolk City Council members will vote on the option-to-purchase agreement, development agreement and construction and use covenant Tuesday.

Trevor Metcalfe, 757-222-5345, trevor.metcalfe@pilotonline.com

Virginia Beach residents Richard “R.K.” Kowalewitch and Donald Edwards petitioned the Supreme Court of Virginia to force the Virginia Beach Voter Registrar and Electoral Board to remove Mayor Bobby Dyer and Councilwoman Sabrina Wooten from the ballot.

They claim Dyer and Wooten violated the city charter by not tendering their resignations, effective Dec. 31, before qualifying for the ballot. The plaintiffs contend that the registrar and the board placed “ineligible and unqualified” candidates on the ballot.

“They have to put the resignation letter in,” Kowalewitch said by phone Wednesday. “It wasn’t done.”

Dyer’s term as mayor expires Dec. 31. Wooten represents District 7; her term also expires Dec. 31.

Virginia Beach’s charter states: “In the event any councilman, including the mayor, shall decide during his term of office to be a candidate for mayor, he shall tender his resignation as a councilman not less than ten days prior to the date for the filing of petitions as required by general law. Such resignation shall be effective on December 31, shall constitute the councilman’s intention to run for mayor, shall require no formal acceptance by the remaining councilmen and shall be final and irrevocable when tendered.”

Kowalewitch contends resignation letters would have needed to be filed by June 18.

Wooten submitted a resignation letter, effective Dec. 31, to City Clerk Amanda Barnes on Aug. 27. Wooten declined to comment about the lawsuit when reached by phone Wednesday.

Dyer has not submitted his resignation letter, according to Barnes. The mayor also declined to comment.

Another mayoral candidate, council member Chris Taylor, provided a resignation letter, also effective Dec. 31, to the city clerk May 30. Taylor is in the middle of his four-year term as the District 8 representative.

The fifth mayoral candidate, former Councilman John Moss, doesn’t currently hold office. The upcoming election will be Kowalewitch’s fourth run for mayor.

Kowalewitch and Edwards are seeking a writ of mandamus from the court, which is a judicial order that requires a government official to comply with the law. The petition names Virginia Beach Voter Registrar Christine Lewis and the city’s Electoral Board: chairman Jeffrey Marks, vice chair Nanette Miller,  and secretary Lauralee Grim. Lewis declined to comment on the lawsuit. Marks, on behalf of the board, also declined to comment.

The legal action was filed ahead of the start of early voting, which begins Sept. 20. It references a recent opinion by the Virginia attorney general on a election matter unfolding in neighboring Chesapeake, though the issue at hand there appears unique to the city’s charter.

Chesapeake City Council filed a lawsuit against sitting member Don Carey in a dispute over whether he should have resigned — in this case, officially stepped down from his current seat — in his bid for mayor.

The Chesapeake city charter calls for a resignation by June 30, six months before Carey’s term ends. But it was established when Chesapeake held elections in May.

General Assembly action in 2021 shifted the city’s elections to November, but the accompanying provision for resignation was not altered, according to an opinion issued in May by Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares. His opinion concluded that Carey was required to step down by June 30.

In contrast to Chesapeake, the Virginia Beach charter states that the resignation to run for mayor must be made 10 days prior to the deadline for filing a petition to run, which occurs in June. But it is effective Dec. 31.

Kowalewitch says Miyares’ opinion proves candidate eligibility requirements in a municipal charter must be upheld.

“There’s a value in that,” said Kowalewitch.

He cited another part of the city charter which states that the term of office for each council member continues until his successor has been duly elected and qualified. Kowalewitch worries if Dyer and Wooten didn’t follow the proper resignation procedure, they could stay in office beyond their term should a problem arise with the election of their successor.

Kowalewitch and Edwards previously filed a federal lawsuit contending that the city illegally changed its voting system prior to the 2022 election. The lawsuit was dismissed. A separate state lawsuit challenging the city’s district voting system was allowed to proceed in circuit court.

When the resign to run issue arose in Chesapeake, The Virginian-Pilot asked Virginia Beach City Attorney Mark Stiles if Dyer and Wooten each was required to submit a letter of resignation.

“No,” Stiles wrote back in an email on Aug. 6. “The resign to run provision states that the effective date of the resignation is December 31. Because their terms end on that date anyway, there is nothing for them to resign from.”

On Aug. 12, The Pilot asked Stiles to provide more context as to why Dyer and Wooten were not required to submit a resignation letter.

“Because their terms naturally expire, there is nothing for them to resign from and there is no need for a special election to fill the balance of their terms,” Stiles wrote.

On Wednesday, Stiles said he would not comment on the lawsuit because the city’s not a party in it.

Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, stacy.parker@pilotonline.com

Special tax increment financing (TIF) districts were established in South Norfolk and Greenbrier in the early 2000s. Portions of tax revenue from property assessments within the districts are earmarked specifically for projects there, primarily to spur economic development and improve infrastructure.

Both districts have their own funds. For the fiscal 2025 budget that began July 1, $12.4 million of revenue was received for the South Norfolk TIF — an increase of about 11% over the previous fiscal year — and $15.6 million for the Greenbrier TIF. As revenue is received each year, the difference between projected revenue and budgeted expenses within each district is sent back into the respective districts’ fund balance to use for future projects as needed.

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South Norfolk projects

In South Norfolk, the most expensive project is the new municipal center within the Poindexter corridor, a 45,500-square-foot building that also could include a business incubator and retail space. The total cost is about $42 million and primarily will be funded with bonds, but an accumulation of almost $12 million in TIF revenue will also help cover the project. Completion is anticipated in 2026.

Another chunk of money — $6.5 million of TIF money budgeted several years ago — is earmarked for strategic acquisition of residential and commercial property along key transportation corridors within South Norfolk for rehabilitation and redevelopment.

Almost $3 million of TIF funds will cover neighborhood sidewalk connections and expansions beginning next year and spanning to 2027. The projects will be focused along Myers Road; Hull, Ohio, Poindexter, Richmond and Rodgers streets; and Chesapeake, Jackson, Orville, Wright, Chamberlain, Wilbur and Post avenues.

The Freeman Overpass Bridge project will primarily be covered with around $11 million of South Norfolk TIF funding and more than $2 million in bond debt. An accumulation of $3.6 million will fund improvements on Chesapeake Avenue.

Another nearly $1 million of TIF funds is used for a program that assists property owners within historic districts with home improvement projects, grants for façade improvement projects in South Norfolk’s business district, and a parking lot for Poindexter Street that could be complete by the end of the year.

Other projects with less than $2 million of funding earmarked include pedestrian and light improvements on Poindexter Street at the Interstate 464 overpass, the Port Locke Railroad Overpass Bridge, the Guerriere Street closure and conversion and the activation of vacant city-owned parcels at Liberty and 22nd Street.

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Greenbrier projects

In Greenbrier, the biggest expense includes $10 million for site and infrastructure improvements for mixed-use and commercial development within the district, which could include potential redevelopment of Greenbrier Mall and future construction at Summit Pointe.

About $3.5 million will be used to extend Belaire Avenue off Volvo Parkway. More than $1 million will be directed to pedestrian safety improvements in the commercial district, including walkways, paths and crosswalks that could be complete by the end of the year.

A little more than $1 million will go toward stormwater outfall improvements in the district. Other smaller projects include a Greenbrier redevelopment study and intersection improvements on Battlefield Boulevard at Volvo Parkway.

Natalie Anderson, 757-732-1133, natalie.anderson@virginiamedia.com

Boyd Gaming Corp., a gaming company with several casinos in Las Vegas and across the country, would step in and help develop the casino planned for land next to Harbor Park downtown. But a proposed development agreement shows the new casino plan may revert back to operating a temporary casino while the permanent gaming facility is under construction.

According to public notice published by the city, the Norfolk City Council will vote Sept. 10 on an ordinance that amends terms of purchase and the development agreement with Golden Eagle Consulting and the Pamunkey tribe. The proposed ordinance states that Boyd would become majority owner in Golden Eagle Consulting, the company created by billionaire Jon Yarbrough that oversees development. The tribe would also possess a 20% equity interest in the company.

It’s unclear from the documents what Yarbrough’s future role would be in the project. But according to the option to purchase, Boyd and the tribe would be the only owners of Golden Eagle Consulting.

Boyd also appears to be reviving plans for a temporary casino in order to meet a statutory deadline, according to a project timeline included in the documents. Called a “transitional casino,” construction would begin Feb. 24, 2025 and the casino would open Nov. 5, 2025 — in time to meet a deadline for obtaining a gaming license by November 2025.

According to the timeline, construction of the permanent casino would begin Jan. 13, 2025, with the casino opening Sept. 13, 2027.

In a short joint statement, the tribe and Boyd said, “Boyd Gaming has started the process required to help the Tribe bring its vision to fruition, in a way that will deliver meaningful benefits for the Tribe, the city of Norfolk and the Commonwealth of Virginia.”

The latest plans also include a scaled-back 200-room hotel, an at-least 935-space parking garage, a pool, restaurants, a spa and fitness center.

However the development agreements states that the minimum capital investment for the project would be $300 million. Previously, developers promised a $500 million facility.

It has been more than five years since the tribe signaled interest in building a casino on a land parcel next to Harbor Park. Norfolk voters approved the casino construction in a 2020 referendum, which came with a five-year deadline. But the project has undergone several delays and changed plans over the years.

If the developer does not obtain a gaming license by that time, voters would need to approve another referendum. Some state lawmakers have told The Virginian-Pilot they are open to the idea of extending the deadline.

Boyd operates 28 properties in 10 states, though none in Virginia, according to its website. The company made $3.7 billion in revenue in 2023 and posted a profit of around $620 million.

In a second quarter earnings call held July 25, Boyd CEO and President Keith Smith said the company was exploring a number of unannounced capital projects.

Trevor Metcalfe, 757-222-5345, trevor.metcalfe@pilotonline.com

The review comes on the heels of an intense meeting last week when Virginia Aquarium Foundation President Dan Peterson addressed the council for the first time about the group’s desire to partner with the city on the facility’s future. The City Council, after learning the aquarium needs major renovations to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars, has been considering leasing it to a private third-party.

City Auditor Lyndon Remias presented the findings to the City Council today.

The audit revealed that the city operating expenditures were nearly $20 million in fiscal year 2024, and the city fell short with a $3.7 million loss in revenue. Despite the shortfall, the city had anticipated a worse scenario, setting aside nearly double that amount as a subsidy in the budget.

Aquarium foundation wants to collaborate with Virginia Beach, pause search for private operator

The foundation’s expenses topped out at $5.2 million, but it was able to stay in the black with an estimated $827,000 in revenue after expenses.

The group is not required to provide the city with detailed revenue and expense transactions, according to the audit. One of Remias’ recommendations is to add a “right-to-audit” clause to the agreement between the city and the foundation so that his office can require the foundation to provide those numbers.

At the Aug. 27 council meeting, Peterson said the foundation didn’t provide financial information that’s not required in the agreement because he was not told how the city planned to use it.

“I have a fiduciary responsibility not only to the foundation but to all of our constituents, especially our volunteers and especially our donors, to ensure that that information would be utilized in a manner that takes into consideration the best interests of the foundation,” Peterson said.

Council members are expected to vote Tuesday night on whether to share the cost of an initial $100,000 inspection with the foundation — at the nonprofit’s request — to figure out the extent of renovations needed on three large tanks, which hold shark, seals and sea turtles. The audit recommends moving forward with a detailed assessment.

The city owns the aquarium’s buildings and grounds and operates its facilities. The foundation owns the exhibits and the animals. Funding for the aquarium comes from a variety of sources, including admission fees, memberships, retail sales, grants and sponsorships.

The audit also notes that per the agreement the foundation retains all revenues from concession sales, boat trips and the aquarium’s Adventure Park activities. Remias recommends a review of the revenue distribution given the fact that the city owns the facilities.

Virginia Aquarium currently utilizes 48 acres of land, operates out of three buildings, including one that is closed to the public, and has a visitor capacity of approximately 3,660 per day. It’s key components include marine life exhibits, nature trails, educational programs and research.

Remias recommends that the aquarium’s three animal care accreditations, which are currently held by the foundation, be transferred to the aquarium itself, so that the city can control that aspect, especially since the city pays insurance coverage on the facility. Such a change could also make the aquarium’s animal records available to the public.

The audit also delves into the aquarium’s Stranding Response Team. Its area of responsibility for stranded marine mammals and sea turtles encompasses over 7,200 miles of the state’s coastal shorelines. Remias recommends seeking federal and state funding for the aquarium’s rescue, research and conservation efforts. The foundation’s research and conservation expenditures in fiscal year 2023 topped out at $1.3 million, according to the audit.

Remias also recommended considering the pros and cons of requiring the aquarium director to also serve as the foundation’s executive director as outlined in the agreement.

“Inherently, you’re putting the director in two roles,” said Remias. “That increases the risk, in fact or appearance, of a conflict of interest.”

Part of the review focused on a survey of aquarium employees and foundation members, many of who became unnerved when the city pursued privatization options earlier this year and felt left out of the conversation.

In March, City Manager Patrick Duhaney had recommended that the city continue to engage third parties to figure out what kind of offer can be brought forward while communicating with the foundation. Meanwhile, some aquarium employees resigned amid the turmoil.

Remias’ audit recommends ways to address “low morale.”

“Leadership should engage in transparent communication, actively involve employees in strategic planning, and provide reassurance through clear, actionable steps that demonstrate a commitment to navigating challenges together,” the audit states.

Cynthia Whitbred-Spanoulis, aquarium director, responded to the recommendations in an interoffice memorandum.

“The aquarium leadership team was not significantly involved in the discussions and decisions made over the past year regarding the future of the facility,” she wrote. “For accuracy, the term ‘leadership,’ in this context, should refer to the City Manager’s office.”

The audit was part of a scheduled review of city assets, but several council members agreed it was timely given the ongoing conversations about next steps.

“We should certainly take these recommendations into account,” said Councilman Worth Remick.

Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, stacy.parker@pilotonline.com

Demolition began Monday, said Chuck McPhillips, chair of the board of directors for Next Step to Success. The Norfolk nonprofit plans to construct a youth center across 9 of the property’s 15 acres. He said demolishing the structures would continue for about a year before construction begins — with the new facility slated to open in January 2027.

“It’s a massive campus and a lot of work entailed in doing that,” McPhillips said.

The nonprofit, which currently provides afterschool programming for about 90 students, purchased the property from Bon Secours for $5.7 million in December, according to city documents. The Norfolk real estate assessor’s office valued the property at roughly $4.1 million in July.

The group plans to build a campus, called the St. Vincent DePaul House, on the site with activity rooms, a gym, soccer field, media center and other features. McPhillips said the group also plans to construct several tennis courts.

He said the after-school and summer programs would be free to students, and transportation from school and to their homes would be provided.

“We took a leap of faith in making this investment,” McPhillips said, because the group’s goal of reducing poverty in the city is so important.

DePaul was founded in 1855 as the Hospital of St. Vincent de Paul, the first hospital in Norfolk for civilians, according to Virginian-Pilot archives. The hospital was moved to the location off Granby Street in 1944 and was a part of the community for decades. However, owner Bon Secours closed the location in 2021 after a major decline in patients.

A plan to convert the space into almost 500 luxury apartments fell through in late 2023, with a representative for developer Marathon Group citing higher construction costs and interest rates.

Next Step To Success was founded in 2021 through the James Barry Robinson Trust, McPhillips said. That trust, from former Norfolk businessman Frederick J. Robinson, also helped create The Barry Robinson Center behavioral health facility.

The trust will partially fund the new youth center, but McPhillips said the nonprofit will also work to partner with area businesses and other donors. He said the program would start with space for about 200 students and gradually ramp up to 400 or so.

Trevor Metcalfe, 757-222-5345, trevor.metcalfe@pilotonline.com

Chesapeake resident Nelson Velez filed the lawsuit in Chesapeake Circuit Court this week, asking the court to compel the Virginia Department of Elections and the local registrar to find Carey ineligible to run, remove him from the ballots and delay printing them.

It’s the second legal action taken amid an ongoing dispute over Carey’s candidacy. A majority of City Council members in July approved a lawsuit seeking to compel him to resign his council seat.

At issue is a resign-to-run provision on the books in Chesapeake that requires any council member running for mayor to vacate their council seat by June 30. The provision was established when Chesapeake held city elections in May, but it was not altered when the General Assembly acted in 2021 to shift city elections to November. Carey’s council term will end Dec. 31.

Velez’s complaint states because Carey didn’t resign, he didn’t fulfill all necessary requirements to be a mayoral candidate.

Reached by phone Friday, Carey said the move was “disheartening” and “anti-democratic.”

“It’s just an attempt to disenfranchise not only myself, but the people that I represent and the issues that we’re fighting for,” he said. “I would have never thought to see something like this happening in the city of Chesapeake.”

Carey and Mary Lynn Pinkerman, the city’s elections registrar, confirmed to The Virginian-Pilot that Carey filed all necessary documentation to be considered a candidate. Pinkerman, who’s named in the complaint, didn’t comment on the pending litigation.

Velez’s complaint, which seeks an emergency injunction, urges a hearing no later than Tuesday, but as of Friday, no hearing was scheduled. His attorney, Christopher Woodfin of Woodfin Law in Williamsburg, told The Pilot on Friday that Chesapeake judges have recused themselves, and a judge is being appointed. Still, he’s confident the court will expedite the process before the election.

It’s also unclear when the City Council’s lawsuit will be heard. All Chesapeake Circuit Court judges also have recused themselves in that case and no hearing was on the docket as of Friday.

When Carey declared his candidacy in March, he announced he was switching political parties to become a Democrat in the nonpartisan election. He is running against incumbent Rick West in the Nov. 5 election.

Pinkerman said the window for creating, proofing, printing and delivering ballots begins Sept. 6 and spans to Sept. 20, the start of early voting at the registrar’s office.

Velez’s complaint also states that if Carey is included on ballots, he asks that Carey be forced to resign as a council member and pay back the salary he earned after June 30.

Reached by phone Friday, Velez said he filed the lawsuit because he “needed to act” before the start of early voting.

“I pretty much filed it because I’m a citizen of Chesapeake, and I’m concerned about this absolute disregard of law,” he said.

John O’Bannon, the chair of the Virginia Board of Elections, also is named as a defendant in the lawsuit. He did not respond to a request for comment. Andrea Gaines, a Virginia Department of Elections spokesperson, declined to comment on the pending litigation.

Natalie Anderson, 757-732-1133, natalie.anderson@virginiamedia.com

The overrun adds roughly 10% to the capital improvement project, bringing the total cost up to $93 million. The total includes an increase of more than 25% on the $53 million construction contract, which will require the City Council’s approval.

Cost inflation, supply chain impacts, unforeseen circumstances and scope of work changes have impacted the project.

“It’s due to a lot of the same factors we’ve seen on other projects as we’ve gone through the pandemic and the post-pandemic inflation,” said L.J. Hansen, director of public works, during a Tuesday City Council meeting.

Three municipal buildings are undergoing renovations and each of them have been renumbered. They include: old City Hall (now Building 3), Building 2 (now Building 11) and Building 11 (now Building 33).

The city’s municipal center was the site of the 2019 mass shooting, when a disgruntled city employee killed 12 people and injured six others before he was fatally shot by police. Nearly 400 people, including staff from four departments, worked in former Building 2. They were relocated to temporary, leased offices.

“This was right after 5/31,” said City Manager Patrick Duhaney at Tuesday’s meeting. “The City Council made a decision that no employee that was in Building 2 would have to come back to Building 2.”

The additional $8.4 million Hansen is requesting now would cover $2.4 million in floor plan changes in Building 33, $1.5 million increase in cost of furniture and demountable walls, and $500,000 to soundproof police interrogation rooms, among other items.

The project has already included nearly $12 million in construction change orders including relocating and upgrading data center equipment, adding storm water structures and installing ballistic glass in former Building 2, which was renovated into a police headquarters. Most of the renovation work to former Building 2 has been completed and police staff started working there this year.

The main entrance of the Colonial-style three-story brick building is now adjacent to the new City Hall, a separate $50 million project, which opened in 2022.

First look at renovations to building where Virginia Beach mass shooting occurred

Former City Hall, now referred to as Building 3, has been undergoing renovations for two years and completion is expected in the spring. There have been some delays including asbestos remediation and the need for a waiver that was granted by the City Council for the use of synthetic slate on the roof. Public utilities and planning employees will move into the building next summer.

Construction on Building 33, which was the former police headquarters on Princess Anne Road, began in March after the police department headquarters relocated. Public works and information technology staff will occupy it by next winter.

Hansen said money from two other city capital improvement projects — future relocation of the Beach Maintenance Facility and upgrades at the Central Plant — could be transferred to cover the municipal center funding gap. Hansen said funding for those projects could be reinstated at a later date.

The City Council will vote on the transfer option in September.

Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, stacy.parker@pilotonline.com

With a sports complex open in Virginia Beach and another under construction in Williamsburg, the Norfolk City Council is investigating the feasibility of a sporting facility anchoring a redevelopment project at the former Military Circle mall property.

Two consultants presented plans to study the economic impact and cost of redevelopment and create a master plan for the site during a City Council work session Tuesday.

“We see this as an opportunity to create a new, livable mixed-use community also with destination appeal,” said Mark Erdly of Gensler, a design firm studying the property.

Erdly said the consultant envisioned a sports complex anchoring the site, with other features including housing, retail, food and a hotel.

Some Council members approved of the sports complex idea, but others wanted to better understand the market for such a development. Mamie Johnson hoped the redevelopment could — like the former mall — also make the space a safe hangout spot for young people.

Council member JP Paige, who represents Ward 4 where the mall is located, said in an interview that students who play sports have a better chance at being successful in life. However, he wanted to make sure the city did its research and investigated how similar complexes were doing.

City Council member Courtney Doyle voiced a similar opinion during Tuesday’s meeting. She asked the consultants to study facilities not only in Hampton Roads, but across the state, when investigating the demand for another sports complex.

“Others are getting into the sphere now,” Doyle said. “I really want a very honest and realistic comparative analysis for the intake area that we’re going to be developing.”

Williamsburg recently broke ground on an $80 million, 200,000-square-foot indoor sports complex expected to open in 2026. The $68 million Virginia Beach Sports Center in opened 2020. That facility has been operating at a loss according to a 2023 city audit, even though it is bringing more business to area hotels, restaurants and shops.

Utah-based Victus Advisors is studying the economic feasibility of the Norfolk sports complex. Founder Brian Connolly told council members typical facilities could be used every day — by local teams during the week and for travel teams and tournaments during the weekend. He also touted the spending power of traveling athletes and their families, who usually come from up to five hours away and spend two nights in the area.

The consultants are soliciting input from several community stakeholders, including the East Side Task Force, a city group made up of representatives from neighborhoods near Military Circle.

In 2020, Norfolk purchased the parts of Military Circle not owned by Sentara Health and issued a request for proposals for redevelopment. The three finalists included Wellness Circle, a Pharrell Williams-backed plan that included an arena. Norfolk City Council entered talks with Williams’ team, but after months of negotiations city officials said those plans had been scrapped in November.

Erdly said the firms will develop recommendations from market analysis in about four to six week, then create a master plan to present to City Council members in about 12 weeks.

Trevor Metcalfe, 757-222-5345, trevor.metcalfe@pilotonline.com