CBDA News

Light Rail in the News - On May 7, WAVY News aired an interresting and informative report on the Light Rail referendum and expansion to Virginia Beach, including an interview with Mayor Will Sessoms. You may watch the report by clicking here.

CBDA Executive Director Jeanne Evans-Cox testified at the April 24 Virginia Beach City Council Meeting on behalf of CBDA in favor of a resolution calling for a referendum on light rail in November. The resolution passed by a vote of 10-1. Below are her comments before the Council:

GOOD EVENING. MAYOR SESSOMS, VICE MAYOR JONES, MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND MR. SPORE.

MY NAME IS JEANNE EVANS-COX AND I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT ASSOCIATION REPRESENTING 160 SMALL, MEDIUM AND LARGE BUSINESSES BOTH WITHIN AND OUTSIDE OF THE PEMBROKE STRATEGIC GROWTH AREA OF VIRGINIA BEACH.

I AM HERE TONIGHT TO VOICE OUR SUPPORT FOR AND ENCOURAGE YOU TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THE CIRCUIT COURT TO CONDUCT AN "ADVISORY REFERENDUM" TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 6TH IN SUPPORT OF EXTENDING LIGHT RAIL INTO THE CITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH.

ALOT HAS CHANGED SINCE THE LAST LIGHT RAIL REFERENDUM HELD ALMOST 13 YEARS AGO. CITIZENS HAVE EXPERIENCED A HUGE INCREASE IN GAS PRICES, ROAD CONGESTION CONTINUES TO INCREASE, AMTRAK'S NORTHEAST REGIONAL TRAINS WILL DIRECTLY SERVICE NORFOLK'S HARBOR PARK BY THE END OF THE YEAR AND TOWN CENTER HAS BEEN DEVELOPED.

YOU ARE TASKED WITH MAKING THE TOUGH DECISIONS. YOUR ACTIONS AS OUR CITY'S LEADERS HAVE WON MANY ACCOLADES FOR OUR CITY SUCH AS "ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO RAISE A FAMILY, ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO LIVE AND ONE OF THE BEST RUN CITIES IN AMERICA". CONGRATULATIONS!

TO PARAPHRASE MAYOR SESSOMS, "YOU HAVE RISEN TO THE OCCASION MANY TIMES BY MAKING TOUGH DECISIONS THAT NOT ONLY KEEP AN EYE ON THE FUTURE, BUT CONTINUE TO KEEP VIRGINIA BEACH WELL AHEAD OF OTHER CITIES IN THE NATION".

THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT ASSOCIATION IS IN FULL SUPPORT OF THE REFERENDUM TO EXTEND LIGHT RAIL AND I BELIEVE THE CITIZENS WANT THE SAME. THEY WANT PROGRESS, CONVENIENCE, AND AN ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION, AS WELL AS THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS THEIR OPINION.

WE BELIEVE THE TIME IS RIGHT. THE TIME IS NOW AND YOUR CONSTITUENTS WILL GIVE YOU THE GUIDANCE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR POSITIVE VOTE TO MOVE LIGHT RAIL FORWARD AND THANK EACH OF YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE CITIZENS OF VIRGINIA BEACH.

On March 22, the CBDA held its annual Internship Day with Princess Anne High School. This year’s event was a huge success, and declared “the best ever” by Princess Anne High School Assistant Principal Tom Gustafson. Over 70 students spent the morning at 39 businesses “learning the ropes” in their career fields of interest.

The day began at Princess Anne High School with opening remarks by Principal James Pohl and CBDA Executive Director Jeanne Evans-Cox, and concluded with a luncheon at the Crown Plaza Hotel. Luncheon speaker, WVEC-TV Anchor Regina Mobley, congratulated the students on endeavoring themselves to an early start on their professional careers, and reminded everyone in the audience to “be nice to the interns, because one day they might be your boss.” Regina shared stories of several young entrepreneurs whose creativity, passion, and hard work had resulted in great achievements, and encouraged the students to always strive for excellence.

The CBDA once again would like to thank the companies who hosted interns for their tremendous contributions to the day’s success:

Amerigroup, Armada Hoffler, Associated Distributors, BB&T, BridgeTrust Title, Central Business District Association, Cherry Bekaert & Holland, Community Bank, Divaris Real Estate, FASTSIGNS, First Atlantic Restoration, HBA Architects & Interior Design, Holiday Inn Virginia Beach Norfolk Hotel and Conference Center, McCormick & Schmick’s, Michel Ashe AIA, MSA PC, On Call Holdings, Pembroke Commercial Real Estate, Pender & Coward, Providence Dane, Remedy Staffing, Ripley Heatwole, Rubin Communications Group, The Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, Sentara Healthcare, Servepro of Virginia Beach, SunTrust Bank, Sykes Bourdon Ahern & Levy, The Art Institute of Virginia Beach, The Opus Group of Virginia, The Virginian Pilot, Tidewater Community College, Town Center Fitness, TowneBank, Troutman Sanders LLP, Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development, Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, Virginia Beach Schools Federal Credit Union, and Williams Mullen

 Above Left - Internship Day Students begin their day.

    Above Right - Dan Edwards, Chairman of the Virginia Beach School Board and Billy Harrison, Chairman of the CBDA Board of Directors

 Left - Internship Day Luncheon Speaker, WVEC-TV Anchor Regina Mobley.

Right - Princess Anne High School Guidance Counselors, Principal James Pohl, and Assistant Principal Tom Gustafson.  

  CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT ASSOCIATION

 CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES PROPOSED $640,000 TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENT GRANT FOR THALIA CREEK GREENWAY

            COMMONWEALTH TRANSPORTATION BOARD MEMBER AUBREY LAYNE HAS APPROVED AND SUBMITTED A PROPOSAL TO ALLOCATE $640,000 TO BUILD PHASE 1a OF THE THALIA CREEK GREENWAY, A PROJECT ENDORSED AND SUPPORTED BY THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT ASSOCIATION (CBDA). FORMAL CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL BY THE COMMONWEALTH TRANSPORTATION BOARD IS EXPECTED IN JUNE.

            THE THALIA CREEK GREENWAY PROJECT, LOCATED WITHIN THE PEMBROKE STRATEGIC GROWTH AREA, IS A NETWORK OF TRAILS AND OPEN SPACES WITH LINKAGE TO TOWN CENTER AND MOUNT TRASHMORE. THE “GREENWAY” WILL PROVIDE BIKING AND HIKING TRAILS, BIKE RACKS, BENCHES, AND INTERPRETIVE SIGNAGE.

            CBDA member, Ripley Heatwole Company, previously constructed 570 feet of the Greenway as part of their Midtown at CityView apartment development. Additionally, Ripley Heatwole will soon begin construction on a 430 foot elevated walkway over the marsh to connect the existing path to Constitution Drive in conjunction with the City of Virginia Beach.

            “Protecting and preserving the Thalia Creek corridor, a natural resource within our city is an important part of our mission” stated Bill Harrison, CBDA President. “The relationship between government, the private sector and the environmental community is a perfect example of how public/private partnerships work for the benefit of the entire community.”

            “A special thank you to Commissioner Layne and the City of Virginia Beach along with participating businesses who recognize the need to safeguard our precious Thalia Creek corridor”, CBDA Executive Director, Jeanne Evans-Cox stated. “65% of City’s residents live within a 5 mile radius of this Greenway. This is a win-win project for all”.

On February 18th, the CBDX held its Third Annual Casino Night at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts!This year's event was a huge success with all proceeds benefiting Junior Achievement of Greater Hampton Roads. Special thanks to On Call Holdings International for sponsoring the fun. Participants were treated to an exciting night in the casino, winning lots of great prizes prizes including an iPad 2, a night at the Westin Hotel, and a Town Center Shopping Spree. For more information on the CBDX click here.

The Annual Board of Directors meeting was held on January 17th. The agenda for this meeting included approving the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, approving the organization's 2012 budget, and electing the Board of Directors and Executive Committee.    

On January 11th,the CBDA was pleased to host Virginia Beach City Manager, Jim Spore at a luncheon where he discussed future opportunities for the city. The City Manager's presentation was insightful and informative. We also are grateful to have his support and encouragement of our work on behalf of our CBDA members and of the CBDA's role as an advocate for the business community in the Pembroke Strategic Growth Area.

2011

A special meeting of CBDA Members was held on Monday, December 5 to consider and vote upon a proposal to amend and restate the Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation, which included but was not limited to, an amendment to change the name of the Corporation from Virginia Beach CBD Association to Central Business District Association.

Motion to approve the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation was made by Robert S. Miller casting his vote in person. A second to the motion was made by Marilyn Burstein. President Harrison called for the question. Eighteen (18) signed, witnessed and dated proxy’s FOR adoption of the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation were included in the final vote for a total of 21 voting in FAVOR of the motion for adoption. No votes were cast AGAINST adoption. Resolution passed.

The First Annual CBDA Oyster Roast was held on Saturday, November 12th. Thanks to all who attended and to all of our member volunteers and sponsors who made this event a true success! We'd like to give a round of applause to TowneBank for being our lead sponsor, as well as H&A Architects, TCC, Monarch Mortgage, MSA PC, Armada Hoffler, Amerigroup, Divaris Real Estate and Priority Auto for their generous contributions. This event was hosted in partnership with Lynnhaven River NOW, The Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and Green Drinks, in promotion of Awareness Day for the Thalia Creek Greenway.

On November 18th the CBDA hosted a Luncheon with Senator Mark Warner.We'd like to thank Senator Warner for being our guest and for his insightful comments. Our sponsors for this event were Great Atlantic Management, Suburban Asset Management, Troutman Sanders, The ESG Companies, and Rubin Communications Group. 

Senator Mark Warner chats with CBDA President Bill Harrison and CBDA Past President Aubrey Layne.

Senator Warner with CBDA Board Members Burrell Saunders and Mike Summers.

 "A tiny CHANGE today brings a dramatically different tomorrow." Richard Bach, Author of Jonathan Livingston Seagull …what profound words…

The CBDA took on “CHANGE”. After 25 successful years it was time to bring CBDA to the next level, to turn the corner and concentrate on our future and the future of our members. To CHANGE!

When I became Executive Director my first assignment was to implement the recently developed “strategic plan”, to listen to the members suggestions, and to identify their needs. The feedback I received was CHANGE…networking opportunities, connectivity, access to new business, market the brand was the new direction! The “NEW CBDA” heard the message. CHANGE is on its way to CBDA and it’s coming quickly.

We are implementing the “Strategic Plan”. Our members are now involved in committees. We developed a budget, and we are reaching out and forming partnerships with other community organizations that will help foster CBDA’s mission. We have formed a “special committee” to meet the needs of our retail establishments. We are reaching out to businesses outside of the CBD (Central Business District) to inform them of the professional diversity of our CBDA membership.

We CHANGEDthe scheduling of our events to become more flexible. We implemented “Third Thursdays” to allow members to network and the results are positive.   We scheduled our first Oyster Roast in November, in partnership with local environmental organizations which will feature the city’s newest environmentally sensitive “Thalia Creek Greenway” project. We have a new logo “Connect Uptown”, a new vision, and a new mission. CHANGE!

Last, but not least, our new website is member driven to provide value to our members. It’s all about our CBDA members! Allowing members to market their brand, featuring members, special events, employees and success stories are all part of the CHANGE you demanded!

The Central Business District (CBD) has grown from a dream to reality. Investors were persistent visionaries and City leaders took on the challenge. They did the right thing! They opened the door for “CHANGE” in Virginia Beach. The success of the “Pembroke Strategic Growth Area” means success for the entire City of Virginia Beach and the region. Business doing business in the CBD is good business. “Connecting Uptown” is good business.

CHANGE at CBDA is happening…new website, new staff, new logo, new vision and new mission. Hang in there with me as we CHANGE CBDA together. I promise to listen to your suggestions and your needs. It is definitely a ………“dramatically different tomorrow”.

 Jeanne Evans - CBDA Executive Director