Now's the time to choose on Lots B
By Cecile Trevathan
Daily Press
November 24, 2006
The city of Hampton has more than 64 linear miles of shoreline property; very little of this is open to the public. There are gated beach communities to the north and south of Buckroe Beach, which are either private property or lack public parking.
It has been said that new upscale residential housing will revitalize the older neighborhood. If this is the case, why didn't Cantamar, Morningview and Salt Ponds accomplish this?
It has been argued that Hampton cannot afford to create an expanded public park at Buckroe. The city spent millions to replenish the beach at Salt Ponds, which is inaccessible to the public.
Hampton hopes to control Fort Monroe; if we can't manage 10 acres at Buckroe, how in the world can we care for 500 acres at Fort Monroe?
Some say we need the revenue from selling this measly 10 acres, Buckroe's Lots B, to developers to pay for new schools, etc. There has not been a new school built in the city for the past 30 years; why should it happen at the expense of our last near-bayfront property?
With all the economic engines in place at the taxpayers' expense, such as the Convention Center, Holiday Inn and Harbor Center, the city should be flowing with money.
The city is in the process of purchasing large areas of privately owned property surrounding Lots B. These newly acquired properties could be the site of upscale housing and will be even more valuable if they are near a wonderful bayfront park.
The city of Hampton is soliciting opinion regarding the fate of Lots B at Buckroe. The Planning Department will make its recommendation in December, and City Council will make a decision in January.
I urge readers to visit either www.hampton.gov/planning or www.buckroebeach.org and make their choice –– from the four design options –– known to our city leaders.
Cecile Trevathan
Hampton
