2024 State of the City

MAYOR DYER

Thank you Melaina and welcome everyone to the 2024 State of the City address. I always look forward to this event every year, especially since I can now share the stage with young talent like Melaina and of course Patrick, our City Manager.

Like I always say, no Mayor does this work on their own. Since we all came together here at the beautiful Virginia Beach Convention Center one year ago, so much great work has been accomplished for our residents, our businesses and the region. The Virginia Beach Trail is one of many highlights we get to share today, because we’ve been busy. It’s been quite the journey the last 12 months, hasn’t it Patrick?

CITY MANAGER DUHANEY

Absolutely Mayor, and a welcome journey for sure. I would say the City of Virginia Beach is on a deliberate journey to ensure that operations and efforts are strategic and focused.

The City’s new “Focused Action Plan” translates City Council’s vision and goals into a plan of action that helps me guide the municipal organization’s focus, work and resources.

Today, we want to communicate that plan more broadly with you and share our efforts to date.

MAYOR DYER

Together with my 10 council colleagues - each representing unique districts across our great city - our Focused Action Plan covers three overarching key focus areas: govern, envision and invigorate, that help us as leaders to be transparent about our goals, focused in our effort and accountable to the results.

CITY MANAGER DUHANEY

This plan was a great collaboration, led by the City Council’s vision and direction, along with input and suggestions from the community that we gathered from a number of surveys throughout the year, discussions with residents and contributions from our talented City staff.

MAYOR DYER

In Virginia Beach, as in most cities and towns, our elected officials’ main responsibility is to govern – and to govern well. To do that, our leaders must listen to and understand the people of our city while using our resources in the most effective way possible.

They must provide direction for our citizens, which means understanding all the many assets and resources we have. That also requires a plan for community engagement – and we are focused on just such a plan. Here are the highlights…

MAYOR DYER

One aspect of a city this large with so many demands is the amount of planning needed to govern properly and respond quickly. And our emergency management and public safety teams understand the most what it means to be prepared and respond quickly.

On April 30, 2023, minutes after “Something in the Water” closed early due to severe weather warnings, a tornado touched down in the Great Neck neighborhood. Within minutes of touching down, we were taking action. It was a frightening and dangerous incident.

Fortunately, there were no deaths and few serious injuries to the residents even though the physical damage to homes and property was immense. Once again, we saw our public safety professionals respond in a timely manner and take important steps to help others during a very stressful weather event.

CITY MANAGER DUHANEY

Continuing on our public safety efforts, Emergency Medical Services celebrated their 50th Anniversary of the Emergency Coronary Care Program, the first all-volunteer pre-hospital advanced life support program in the nation, and the first cardiac tech program in Virginia.

Not only that, but we also learned this year that EMS had an unbelievable 51.2% sudden cardiac arrest survival rate for 2023. To emphasize how eyebrow-raising that is, it was 29% in 2021 and 39% in 2022. The average rate across the country is only 31%.

Congratulations to VB Rescue EMS career and volunteer members who work side-by-side to save lives every day.

Our City’s fire department also had another successful year, beginning with 56 new firefighters graduating from their academy and joining the force. They launched the newly developed rapid dive training program and responded to more than 40,000 calls for service.

Together, the fire department and EMS opened a new facility in the Burton Station community, Station 22, to better serve that part of our city.

MAYOR DYER

Our police and dispatch teams continue to work hard in protecting our city and responding to emergencies.

In 2024 we’re opening the real time crime center and the Emergency Communications and Citizen Services watch desk to expand around-the-clock monitoring and response. We are pleased to share that:

• Violent crimes are down 6.4% compared to 2022.
• Property crimes were down 7% compared to 2022.
• Larcenies from motor vehicles are DOWN 36% , and thefts of motor vehicles are DOWN 24% compared to 2022 – the lowest either number has been in four years!
• Virginia Beach had the lowers homicide rate per 100,000 residents when compared to several cities our size.
• Citywide vehicle crashes were down 6%.

CITY MANAGER DUHANEY

The First Precinct recently moved into what was formerly Building 2 but is now renamed Building 11. It is an impressive building with all of the latest in technology and equipment to help our officers do the demanding work that they do safely and efficiently.

We continue to acknowledge the sensitivity of what was Building 2 as the tragedy of 5/31 and its aftermath is still with so many of us. The City Council-created “5/31 Memorial Commission” has been meeting and working for quite some time, and last spring, City Council funded and approved the memorial design - and work has begun.

Quoting the architect of the memorial:

"The ripple effects of May 31, 2019, impacted families, friends, loved ones, colleagues, communities, our city and our country. The process and path of healing and reflection is different for everyone. Inside the memorial grounds, these varied paths allow the memorial to be experienced by visitors at their own pace, in their own time, and in their own way to heal, reflect and to remember."

When completed, this memorial will be a thoughtful and lovely place on our municipal campus where everyone can reflect and remember

MAYOR DYER

We had some musical chairs on both City Council and the Sheriff’s office this year. With the retirement of Ken Stolle as our Sheriff , Rocky Holcomb, who represented District One on City Council, stepped down from council and stepped up to serving as our new sheriff. As much as I hated losing Rocky on council, he was the perfect choice to step into the Sheriff’s office.

Just like Ken, Rocky has made strengthening the partnership between the Sheriff’s Department and the Police Department a priority. One of the most important steps has been the Sheriff’s commitment to have his deputies at the Oceanfront throughout the summer and during special events to increase the police department’s coverage. As part of that, he bolsters his deputies’ law enforcement training by having them go through the police academy.

Before I go any further, I want to just say a word or two about Ken Stolle. Ken has been a dedicated part of our city for over 40 years. He started as a rookie police officer patrolling our streets and later read law and earned his law license. While practicing law, he served in the Virginia General Assembly, representing Virginia Beach’s 7th Senate District.

He left the senate after serving for 18 years and was elected Sheriff of Virginia Beach in 2010. Throughout his entire career, Ken has faithfully – and with fairness and integrity – served the people of Virginia Beach. It was always a pleasure working with him, and while we will miss him – we wish him the very best in his retirement.

Speaking of missing valuable leaders, we’d also like to take a moment to acknowledge a couple of major figures over the years in Virginia Beach who passed away in 2023.

Dr. Clarence Holland, although everyone knew him as “Clancy,” passed on Veterans Day last November. Clancy dedicated many years of his life to serving this city, first as a City Council member and later mayor, as well as a state Senator representing Virginia Beach in the Virginia General Assembly for 12 years.

It’s also worth mentioning that Clancy was a leader and prime mover in helping us bring the Lake Gaston Pipeline to Virginia Beach in the 90s.

Not only did he spend years as a public servant for Virginia Beach but was a well-known and respected physician for over 60 years in our community, continuing to help the citizens of Virginia Beach every day.

We lost another leader this past year with the passing of Reverend Dr. Pat Robertson. Dr. Robertson had a full and high-profile career in both religion as a minister and in politics. He gave back to the community in many ways, but none more important than the establishment of Regent University. 

Starting off as a small four-year college, Dr. Robertson worked to make it a well-known and respected institution, eventually adding a law school that has shaped many of our best legal minds and political leaders, and a communications program that is known throughout the country for its excellence.

Both of these men were true leaders and integral parts of our past and our future. They left an indelible mark on our city, and we will miss them.

CITY MANAGER DUHANEY

Increased community engagement was a key Council priority coming out of the first Council retreat. With the new 10-1 election system receiving 81% support from residents, communicating with each district’s constituents has become more important than ever.

As a part of that, SpeakUpVB.com has allowed residents to chime in and offer their opinion on several key City issues and opportunities like:

• The future of Rudee Loop.
• Plans for electric vehicle charging stations.
• 5/31 Remembrance Memorial design concepts.
• The new 10-1 Local Election System.
• The State of Recycling.
• How to Spend Opioid Abatement Funds.
• The City’s Transportation Plan, which is active now.
• And ending homelessness.

Our City Councilmembers are holding community meetings in their districts that allow residents to hear updates on projects, ask questions of the councilmember and be more informed about City issues. We want our residents to continue to interact with their local government and be involved in policy development and decision-making. 

The Mayor, City Council, and I want to thank those who take the time to participate in these public engagement efforts, and there will be plenty more opportunities ahead.

MAYOR DYER

While we may not like to brag, this is the day to do so if we are. So, Patrick, let’s take a moment to look back on some of the recognitions the City of Virginia Beach received in 2023, and also some of the reasons why Virginia Beach continues to stand out when compared to other U.S. cities.

Virginia Beach is ranked as the third safest large city, with a $773 crime cost per capita.

CITY MANAGER DUHANEY

Virginia Beach was named the fourth-best city for veterans and their families.

MAYOR DYER

And wedding bells are ringing here…Virginia Beach ranks as the fifth best large city for newlyweds.

CITY MANAGER DUHANEY

Virginia Beach was recognized as one of the Top 100 Places to Live in the Country.

MAYOR DYER

Forbes includes Virginia Beach among one of the top choices for high quality retirement living at an affordable price.

CITY MANAGER DUHANEY

We’re also the fourth hardest working large city. I know our 7,000+ employees are hard-working, and I’m thankful for that for sure.

MAYOR DYER

We’re the fifth best city for persons with disabilities.

CITY MANAGER DUHANEY

We were ranked the 19th Best City to Raise a Family based on factors such as playgrounds per capita, pediatricians per capita, and high school graduation rate.

MAYOR DYER

22nd Best Run City with the third highest ranking for quality of city services. Great job, City staff!

CITY MANAGER DUHANEY

91% of residents rate the quality of life in Virginia Beach as either excellent or good. Great job, Mayor and City Council!

MAYOR DYER

As we all know, we cannot move forward or achieve progress if we have no plan, no map, no blueprint to follow. A large part of governing is developing a vision for the city and its residents. 

That means planning for a responsibly built environment that protects and preserves the natural resources of our city.

By doing so, we are ensuring that we have a community that allows for sustainable growth. That means our city leaders are focused on a plan to envision what our future can look like.

Let’s take a look.

MAYOR DYER

In November 2021, Virginia Beach voters overwhelmingly supported a half-a-billion-dollar resiliency package for several key flood protection initiatives to include drainage improvements, tide gates, pump stations and flood barriers throughout the city.

And to be clear, we did not raise the tax rate even though 73% of the voters authorized the City to do so. City Council absorbed these costs.

I’d also like to thank the volunteer community oversight board for their time and assistance with this huge project.

CITY MANAGER DUHANEY

Over the last 12 months, the City's Flood Protection Program, The Ripple Effect, has made significant progress toward a flood-resilient future.

The City just awarded its first progressive design-build project for the Windsor Woods, Princess Anne Plaza and The Lakes area. The construction of the Windsor Woods Tide Gate has been ongoing for a year and has reached just over 30% completion.

In 2023, three construction projects were finished, while three more have started construction. We are not hiding from the fact that these important projects are now coming in at more than double the estimated cost due to inflation and cost of construction materials.

This will play a significant role in future budget decisions, but we remain committed to this major resiliency effort.

MAYOR DYER

Our City Council has said repeatedly over the years how one of our highest priorities, in addition to flood protection, was to increase educational opportunities, especially those that help us prepare for the rapid changes in technology. The City has worked with all of our educational institutions in 2023 in some capacity.

• At Virginia Wesleyan University, they developed a partnership with Virginia Beach Public Schools focused on teacher education and licensure.
• Virginia Wesleyan and the City’s Economic Development department also worked together to produce talent and workforce development courses available to Virginia Beach residents at no cost.
• With the Police Department, Wesleyan formed a partnership to develop "credit for experience" pathways and courses that provide quicker, more cost-effective four-year degrees for officers. They are currently developing a similar partnership with the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Department.

CITY MANAGER DUHANEY

As data science job opportunities grow in our city, we recognize and understand the need and great importance of having an educated workforce that is prepared for these jobs.

Because of that, we have consistently made a focused effort over the years to work with partners who bring significant projects and ideas to the table.

Working with Old Dominion University, we are bringing a real jewel to the table: The Institute of Data Science and the Coastal Virginia Center for Cyber Innovation. Stationed at Town Center, this program provides a specific place where students can access state-of-the-art labs and the best possible data science education you will find anywhere.

With the rapidly changing ways we do business in the 21st Century, it is essential that we embrace the data-informed innovations that enhance economic development and foster commercialization. Those who fail to do so quickly fall behind.

This also gives us one more tool in our economic development toolbox that helps us attract new businesses to our city and the region. With this latest step, ODU continues to burnish its reputation as one of the top research institutions in Virginia and on the East Coast.

I believe the working partnerships we have developed with Virginia Wesleyan and ODU are providing a strong foundation that will benefit our citizens of all ages and make us a stronger city.

A grateful thank you to Dr. Scott Miller with Virginia Wesleyan and Dr. Brian Hemphill with Old Dominion for your help and leadership.

MAYOR DYER

I need not remind anyone of the importance of the Navy to our city and region and how much we appreciate them. And I have said countless times over the years that the Navy is part of the DNA of Virginia Beach, and that’s absolutely true.

This year makes 81 years since Oceana was commissioned in August of 1943, and over that time it has become a jewel in our city’s crown. Everybody’s favorite, the Air Show in September, drew over 300,000, plus over 6,000 public school students.

Also, a big congratulations to the Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Fire and Emergency Services District 3 Fire Department who was named the Navy’s fire department of the year and their Fire Chief Cedric Patterson as fire chief of the year.

The importance of the Navy in our community is indelible and vital to the future prosperity of Virginia Beach.

CITY MANAGER DUHANEY

In 2017 Virginia Beach began its initiative to turn our region into the next digital port with the announcement of the arrival of transatlantic subsea cables at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. Their arrival created many discussions about how our city and region could take advantage of these assets to drive economic development opportunities for our community.

In 2019 Virginia Beach passed a resolution and to create the Southside Network Authority whose mission is to use the power of the subsea cables and turn our region into a true digital port city. In 2020 the Authority put out solicitations to build and operate the Regional Connectivity Ring, a 119-mile fiber-optic backbone network that links all five southside cities in Hampton Roads.

Globalinx, a locally owned and operated business in Virginia Beach, began building the infrastructure needed to add the cables. With this Globalinx Cable Landing infrastructure - and its potential to add an additional four Subsea Cables - the total number of cables will eventually increase to seven.

In addition, the Southside Network Authority has signed a comprehensive agreement for a public-private partnership with Global Technical Systems (GTS) for the operations, maintenance, and marketing of the Regional Connectivity Ring.

MAYOR DYER

Not only does this ensure that our city has the most up-to-date infrastructure in the country with the newest fiber optic network that will attract and retain businesses and residents, but it means that Virginia Beach will soon be poised to host the most subsea cables in one location on the Eastern Seaboard – a huge attraction for Fortune 500 companies.

I’d like to thank Vice Mayor Rosemary Wilson and former councilmember Ben Davenport for their steadfast leadership of the Southside Network Authority that helped get us to where we are today.

CITY MANAGER DUHANEY

Speaking of top players in the digital world, The Center for Digital Government unveiled its 2023 Digital Cities Survey winners and Virginia Beach has maintained a position among the top five cities in our population category.

This ties in well with our overall plan for digital technology.

MAYOR DYER

It’s important that we point out how companies such as DroneUp, Chorus Intelligence, DOMA Technologies, and the ODU Data Science Center, among many others, are advancing the digital industry for our community and state.

Many of these projects illustrate the symbiotic relationships between cities, educational institutions, businesses and a broad cross-section of residents.

With the assistance and generous resources provided to us, along with the hard work of our City’s economic development leaders, Virginia Beach is able to continue on its rapid trajectory of becoming a leading player in the world of digital technology.

CITY MANAGER DUHANEY

Wind energy has been on the forefront of our agenda the last few years, including working with Dominion Energy. City leaders continue to see growth in companies who choose to establish a presence here to serve the growing offshore wind industry such as the Correll Group and Thayer-Mahan.

In 2023, Thayer-Mahan, a leading service provider in the maritime, defense, and offshore renewable industries, announced their decision to open a mid-Atlantic base in Virginia Beach, creating 40 high-wage jobs in a range of advanced technical capabilities. They will work with companies like Dominion Energy to focus on bringing offshore wind energy to Virginia safely and efficiently.

To say we have had a great year when it comes to economic development is somewhat understated. We have seen phenomenal growth in several sectors of our business community while bringing new ventures to our city.

In June, we were proud to announce that ZIM, a global container shipping company based in Israel, was relocating their corporate headquarters to Virginia Beach. The company operates in more than 90 countries, with customers at more than 300 ports worldwide. Their move to Town Center is a $30 million investment in our city.

MAYOR DYER

DOMA Technologies was founded in Virginia Beach in 2000 as one of the first cloud-based document management companies that realized a need for a holistic approach to document management and emerging cloud technology.

This year, DOMA Technologies, working with the Virginia Jobs Investment Programs, will provide training and funding programs that will mean over 300 new jobs in Virginia Beach.

CITY MANAGER DUHANEY

Chorus Intelligence, a British cybersecurity software company, initially came to Virginia Beach and was located in our International Business Incubator. Their reach has been at the federal, state, and local level in states across the U.S., as well as in Europe.

Because of their strong growth, they have moved operations from the incubator to Town Center in 2023.

MAYOR DYER

In one of the most exciting retail announcements in the Hampton Roads region, LEGO made news by choosing Town Center last year for their latest store.

This is only their third location in Virginia, and their only store in the Hampton Roads market. Since they opened the store on Central Park Avenue in November, they have been doing gangbuster business.

CITY MANAGER DUHANEY

We started off this year with KPMG announcing their plans to move to the Armada-Hoffler Tower at Town Center, where they will occupy just over 13,000 square feet of office space.

With KPMG’s announcement, the Armada-Hoffler Tower is now 98% leased, an amazing feat in the post-COVID office world.

MAYOR DYER

Acoustical Sheetmetal, a company that manufactures sound-reducing and weather-protective enclosures for power generation equipment used in the data center industry, hospitals and other critical facilities, showed their growth this year.

After huge growth since 2020, they completed Phase II in 2023 with a larger footprint than anticipated. They employ over 400 workers and continue to grow and prosper here in our city.

CITY MANAGER DUHANEY

First, let me say the word “Amazon” and please raise your hand if you think of anything else besides the business model that has dominated the market the last few years. It’s no secret how much Amazon has become such a huge part of American life because of the way they have changed the marketplace and how we now do business.

In September, we broke ground off Dam Neck Road where Amazon will be building two state-of-the-art facilities: a robotics fulfillment center and a “last mile” delivery station. The delivery station is expected to launch in 2024 in time for the holiday season, and the 650,000-square-foot robotics fulfillment center will be ready for business in 2025. This welcome addition to our community will add 2,000 new jobs.

I believe we all see Amazon’s expanding footprint impacting economic growth and innovation across the United States and the Commonwealth, and we are very glad that Virginia Beach gets to be a part of that.

MAYOR DYER

One of the companies I spoke of last year is continuing to grow. DroneUp is a success story of a small business with a vision, ambition and determination.

Much to my delight, they have recently begun making deliveries for Wal-Mart in some locations and predict that this service will grow very rapidly.

MAYOR DYER

Coffee break is over, Patrick, time to get back to it!

I really enjoyed making that video, and I want to thank everyone who helped, including my wife Trish who contributed several creative suggestions and helped us get it just right! What does it feel like for a city or community to be truly invigorated? And not just by coffee!

In our city, it means we embrace what ensures the well-being for all of our community. And we do that by ensuring a clean, inspiring and vibrant environment where all residents and guests feel safe, and where they have access to the services and amenities that provide a high quality of life.

We can do that, and we are focused on a plan. Let’s take a look at these City initiatives.

CITY MANAGER DUHANEY

We are welcoming more than 13.6 million visitors to our city each year, and to do that well takes great collaboration and planning with our valued tourism partners.

In 2022, expenditures by visitors amounted to $2.4 billion dollars, which was an increase of $300 million compared to the previous year, and a striking $460 million increase above the spending levels from 2019.

When you factor in both indirect and induced effects to those same numbers, the total amount was a grand total of $3.7 billion dollars of economic impact for 2022. This economic ripple funded more than 32,000 jobs, or about 19% of all jobs in the city. In addition, tourism spending contributed $324 million in state and local tax revenues during the same year.

MAYOR DYER

Out of that same $2.4 billion spent by visitors, food and beverage took the lead in spending, with over $1 billion being spent. Our tourism partners continue to provide excellent hospitality to our guests, whether they are here for sports, business, leisure.

Festivals played a large part in our local economy in 2023 as well. A recent economic impact study of eight major festivals showed a combined economic impact of 94 million dollars that came to the City from a 4.2 million dollar investment by the city.

And while we host them now, we also prepare for their return trip with new experiences to enjoy in the future, like Atlantic Park.

We know visitors like to return to our city year after year to enjoy the life that we as locals live every day. Having new experiences and things to do is key. That’s why we are so excited about the progress of the Atlantic Park project.

The cranes and concrete are currently towering over the horizon at 18th and 20th Street at the Virginia Beach oceanfront. When completed, Atlantic Park will be a multi-venue entertainment complex, including a wave garden surf park, retail, residential, and a City-owned concert venue with parking.

It will be one more great asset to our Oceanfront and the great array of entertainment that we already offer.

I have to tell you that Ms. Henley and I are the first two people to sign up for surf lessons and we both are really looking forward to it!

CITY MANAGER DUHANEY

Meanwhile, another major tourism attraction in our backyard, the Virginia Aquarium, is expanding education through nature. We are thrilled to have recently unveiled the South Building, a momentous achievement in the community’s dedication to marine conservation and education.

This expansion offers visitors immersive experiences, featuring state-of-the-art exhibits that highlight diverse aquatic ecosystems. Much of this has been possible because of the steadfast support from a 40-year partnership with the Virginia Aquarium Foundation working with the City.

MAYOR DYER

So, when we aren’t surfing or visiting the Aquarium, many of our residents, our young residents, are in school.

With 86 schools and over 63,000 enrolled students, Virginia Beach City Public School, under the leadership and vision of the School Board, continued to provide a first-rate education while receiving awards and reaching milestones.

Dr. Donald Robertson was recently chosen to become our City’s 19th school superintendent. Dr. Robertson has been with the school system since 1988 and has served in numerous roles over those 36 years.

Congratulations, Dr. Robertson.

CITY MANAGER DUHANEY

Our schools continue to receive numerous accolades:

• 82 schools and centers have earned the Virginia Department of Education’s Purple Star Designation because of their continued commitment to meeting the needs of military families. The most recent designees include Cox High School, Indian Lakes Elementary, John B. Dey Elementary and Birdneck Elementary.
• Also, during the last school year, more than 1,000 high school students participated in work-based and service learning, working with more than 150 partner organizations, creating an estimated economic impact of over $430,000 in wage-hour equivalency.
• Schools recently collaborated with Newport News Shipbuilding to create the Apprentice X program. This is just one of more than 1,000 partnerships in place to support students' well-being, real-world learning and career exploration.
• For the 14th consecutive year, Schools reached a record-high on-time graduation rate, which now stands at 95.3%. Last year, graduates accepted scholarships totaling $62 million dollars.

Thank you to our School Board, our teachers, and all school employees who are making such a positive impact on Virginia Beach youth.

MAYOR DYER

I’ve always believed down to my core that Virginia Beach is filled with people who are generous, giving, and who care for each other. But networking in a way that connects everyone can be difficult.

When I began discussing the idea of the H.O.P.E. Initiative and helping people excel back in 2023, my goal was to reach out to the community and recognize and strengthen those who are committed to making their community and Virginia Beach an even better place.

Our plan was to reach out to all groups in our city: individuals, community groups, faith-based organizations and corporate entities were encouraged to apply to become “Champions of H.O.P.E.” I wanted us to harness that energy and generosity that runs through our city and help fill the need for purposeful connections and work together as one.

Just two weeks ago we hosted a successful networking meeting with over 100 attendees where many new connections were made. What was most gratifying was learning about and meeting so many of the great and caring people in our city who wanted to give a hand up to others; people who were making a difference in their communities.

Today, I want to recognize someone who has touched the hearts and minds of so many of our youth over the years. He has taught them what it means to be dedicated to a cause; the importance of setting a goal and pursuing it, of fairness and respect for yourself and your opponents, of focusing on doing the best that you can in everything that you do, while also doing all that you can to help others.

This person has a sterling reputation throughout Hampton Roads and certainly in Virginia Beach and is respected for not only his accomplishments, but for the great person that he is. The person I want to recognize this year as our Champion of Hope is former Green Run High School football coach Cadillac Harris. Mr. Harris, thank you for helping our youth excel.

Coach Harris, please stand and be recognized!

CITY MANAGER DUHANEY

This year, our Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation Department was named the 2023 National Gold Medal Award winner for “Excellence in Parks and Recreation Management” by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration, in partnership with National Recreation and Park Association.

This is a highly competitive national competition. Judges praised our Parks and Recreation team for an array of unique initiatives including:

• At Woodstock Park, Parks and Recreation partnered with the Hampton Roads Sanitation District and gathered community input to install a new 30,000 square-foot state-of-the-art skate park atop a federally required 5.2 million-gallon underground wet weather storage tank.
• The “Parks After Dark” program began with Parks and Recreation collaborating with the Mayors Youth Violence Prevention Task Force, the Police Department, Virginia Beach City Public Schools and community organizations. This program offered free, family-friendly summer events series with live music, outdoor movies, lawn games. video game tournaments and local food trucks.
• Also recognized was our $68 million “Stormwater Park” at Bow Creek Park, where Parks and Recreation became a key partner with Public Works in easing recurrent flooding in a vulnerable area that’s home to nearly 4,000 residents.
• This 100-acre, City-owned golf course is being converted into a resilient park designed to contain storm water during major floods. The park will offer multi-use trails, sports courts, a kayak launch and scenic areas.

MAYOR DYER

I truly believe the future is here, and I have great faith in what we offer as a city. Together, our city and community leaders are taking action and facing our challenges as a collective force.

As with all cities, we have challenges ahead of us in the coming years. The needs of our residents are always first and foremost on our City Council’s agenda. We’ve heard from many of the need for additional tax relief. Our job is to ensure that we can provide the needed funding to maintain operations and look for ways to support residents navigating the ever-changing economic conditions.

While we work to continue to keep Virginia Beach tax rates the lowest in the region, we must find new revenue streams to support existing services that have increased in cost due to inflation, just to maintain what we have now.

We have a number of aging buildings, some of them 60 years old and older, that are in need of renovations or replacement.

As many of our best employees reach retirement age, we are tasked with replacing them with a younger generation and a much more competitive job market, which presents challenges for attracting the skilled professionals we want.

There is a trail ahead of us that we need to navigate that leads to a bright future, together. But we can - and will - go down that trail which unfolds the promise that Virginia Beach and its residents have within themselves. Which is why I want to conclude today by circling back to the Virginia Beach Trail.

Virginia Beach City Council recently appropriated almost $3 million dollars of local match funding to Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation for the first phase of the trail. This approval unlocked $15 million dollars from the federal government to make safety improvements along the Virginia Beach Trail, the largest such award in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

CITY MANAGER DUHANEY

The funding package for Phase 1 of the trail will provide a 3.2-mile long shared-use path connecting the City’s western border with Norfolk at Newtown Road to Constitution Drive in Virginia Beach. Safe crossings will be built at all intersections along the path. Phase 1 includes a pedestrian and bicycle bridge to be built over Independence Boulevard.

Once the trail is completed, its 12 miles of shared-use path will cross the full width of the City of Virginia Beach, connecting communities, key destinations and other pathways. The VB Trail will also be the easternmost segment of the 41-mile-long South Hampton Roads Trail. 

This project, and many others, leads to a great future for our city and region.

MAYOR DYER

Let me close by saying this city offers so much, but its greatest resource is its people! We’ve been a city that has pulled together whenever needed and I believe that is why our future holds so much promise.

Thank you very much for all that you do for our city and its people. 

We are blessed to have you as a part of this, and thank you for being here with us today.