Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for new City Council Chamber to Take Place Aug. 2

The Virginia Beach City Council invites the public to a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new City Council Chamber on Tuesday, Aug. 2, at 1 p.m. at the new City Hall building, 2401 Courthouse Drive. The ceremony will take place prior to the City Council Special Session which begins at 2 p.m.

This first public meeting in the new Council Chamber ushers in a new era of Virginia Beach City Government, marking the last transition of City business from the former City Hall. All public meetings previously held in the former chamber, including City Council and Planning Commission meetings, will now convene in the new building.

The Aug. 2 special session is for public interviews of the three applicants selected to advance to fill the vacant Bayside District seat. Candidates will be called in alphabetical order and given 10 minutes to make a presentation followed by questions from Council Members.

Citizens will have the opportunity to provide feedback to the City Council during the informal session on Tuesday, Aug. 9, starting at 2 p.m. Following public comment, the City Council will proceed to closed session for deliberation and make a formal vote on an appointment to fill the Bayside District vacancy during the formal session.

The new City Council Chamber is located on the second floor of the new City Hall building. It seats nearly 300, which is almost twice as many seats compared to the previous chamber, and there is overflow seating to accommodate up to 50 more. The chamber features a sloped floor and raised council dais for better sightlines and communication to the public, along with large monitors stationed throughout the chamber for clear viewing of presentations. The dais was also built with added features for improved security.