The area in Lot A includes the boardwalk, seawall, and part of the beach. These are not shown in this misrepresentation of the proposed remaining green space found on the City flyer.
Note: This view was taken before the sand was replenished
TRUTH: The City is misleading the public with their flyer dated June 2005 that not only misrepresents the size of the Buckroe Park as shown above in Lot A but glosses over the truth as shown below:
TRUTH: This aerial view is the true picture of the bayfront land area. Lot A is the current Buckroe Park. Lots B are the citizen-owned areas the City wants to sell to developers for condos. Compare the two pictures and note the City Spin picture on the size of Lot A is exaggerated and incorrect.
CITY SPIN - Parking - There will be more public parking spaces than the amount of public parking today after improvements are made to the park and on-street parking is added.
TRUTH: The Master Plan calls for parking to be wrapped around the remaining park, thus reducing the size of the remaining green space, and cluttering the visual beauty of the area. On street parking is also slated for Tappan, Richmond, and Pilot Avenues in front of residential homes far away from the remaining park.
CITY SPIN - The 10 Acres - Buckroe Park, next to the beach, will be improved, and all 10 acres will continue to be dedicated to the public for future generations.
TRUTH: There will be additional toe-in parking places added to the perimeter of the remaining green space and increased parking added to both ends. The remaining acreage of public space will be further smothered by parking leaving about 2 acres of actual “gathering” space.
CITY SPIN - Design of Residential Development - The planned new residential development and design guidelines will bring back the unique, historic architectural features of the best of Buckroe.
TRUTH: Historically, the best of Buckroe has always been the bayfront. The lots labeled B have always been available for the enjoyment of the people and have never been used for residential development.
CITY SPIN - Neighborhood Enhancements - The City of Hampton will improve Pembroke Avenue; acquire blighted properties and enhance code enforcement; continue to invest in Buckroe Park and the beach; provide more open space in more diverse Buckroe locations to balance city-wide and neighborhood needs; and build a new school and community center.
TRUTH: Improvements to Buckroe are much needed and welcomed – not condos, other housing, or industry in Lots B. The citizens want to see green space, good restaurants, shops and park amenities on the bayfront. Ask them!
CITY SPIN - Community Involvement - Hundreds of Hampton residents from neighborhoods throughout the city participated in 19 public meetings to develop the Buckroe Master Plan.
TRUTH: Most of the citizens of Buckroe and of Hampton were not aware of the Plan, nor were they notified and invited to participate in the planning process. Most of the 19 meetings were not public. Developers and investors were aware of the Plan. Hampton City Council acknowledged this on 3/23/05, referring to the developers and investors as “watering at the mouth.” The public was only able to vote on the plan by way of membership with the Buckroe Civic Association (BCA). The Hampton citizens were not properly represented, and dissenting voices were not listened to or respected.
CITY SPIN - The Land Banked Property - The vacant public property identified for residential development in the Buckroe Master Plan was bought by the City of Hampton for this purpose decades ago.
TRUTH: Purposes change! The need for saving the land identified in Lots B from development is at the forefront of this issue because it is unique to our region, and it is the only remaining undeveloped open green space on the Chesapeake Bay in Hampton. Twenty years ago, Buckroe did not have development on the Salt Ponds leaving that beach inaccessible, nor did it have the condos of Cantamar and Morning View on the stretch of beach from Buckroe Avenue to Pilot Avenue. Twenty years ago there was no gated community of Bay Shore. Twenty years ago there were less people and more green space.
Citizen Flyer
Say NO to condominium development on Lots B
June 28, 2005
This flyer, "Buckroe Master Plan: The Facts, was distributed in June 2005 by the City of Hampton to inform the citizens of the Buckroe Master Plan.
The information shown here in the "Buckroe Master Plan:The Truth" flyer is a citizen response to the "Buckroe Master Plan: The Facts" flyer created and distributed by the City of Hampton.
The City flyer follows this citizen flyer.
For more information contact: www.buckroebeach.org
