Chesapeake creating a ‘pedestrian paradise’
Quasi-downtown off Volvo Parkway takes another step into reality
Pedestrian paradise. Resort amenities. French-style balconies.
These might not be words you have associated with the city of Chesapeake over the years, but get ready.
If you believe the hype, those qualities will be part of a glitzy, $330 million development underway in Greenbrier near the tall, shining new Dollar Tree headquarters.
And, for another year, that project — dubbed Summit Pointe — was one of the highlights of Mayor Rick West’s State of the City address.
The mayor also shared how the city was progressing with vaccines, saying over 75% of Chesapeake residents 65 and older have been fully vaccinated and 40% of the adult population has had at least one dose.
He said the city continues to work with a coalition of Black pastors that formed after the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis last year sparked new national conversations about systemic racism.
In his opening speech, West criticized state leaders in Richmond for not having a robust response to the pandemic, including with vaccine distribution.
“They were supposed to be both a lead and support role in a crisis of this nature,” West said. “But time and time again this city and cities all over Hampton Roads and their dedicated professionals have been called upon to supplement and even replace processes and programs that failed at the state level.”
West later made more pointed comments to “certain of our Chesapeake delegation” who he said seemed to make efforts to not support localities but “to blatantly rise up against them.”
He pointed to closings and regulations related to the pandemic as well as an “ill-conceived overreach” that forced changes in local elections without sufficient public input.
Earlier this month, Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam signed a bill sponsored by state Sen. Lionel Spruill, a Democrat who represents parts of Chesapeake and Norfolk, that forced cities to move their May elections to November. Spruill has called it the “people’s bill” as one of the goals was to have more people vote in city elections. May elections have historically seen lower voter participation since high-profile races for president and Congress aren’t on the ballot. Spruill and supporters also say the law will save cities between $100,000 and $200,000.
West — who has endorsed Republican Kirk Cox for governor and has been called a “Republican leader,” though city offices are officially nonpartisan — has been critical of the bill, saying cities should have the choice of when to hold their elections. The mayor is considering an ordinance that would move Chesapeake’s elections to odd-numbered years, when state officials are elected.
“The General Assembly and the governor have driven a wedge between localities and Richmond the likes of which we have not seen in many, many years,” West said. “But I am hopeful that following the fall’s election cycle cooler heads and a spirit of partnership can be restored.”
Spruill couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.
Later during the event, a number of videos were played highlighting things the city is doing, including bringing a new park to Indian River, revitalizing neighborhoods, including Western Branch, and attracting new business.
West and others spoke about the Summit Pointe project over the course of the COVIDfriendly event, streamed live online.
The city is on its way to cementing a downtown “metropolitan center” along Volvo Parkway, where next week Summit Pointe Realty will break ground on Mosaic, a $68 million “lifestyle community” that will include shops and apartments. The first should be ready by mid-2022.
The six-floor apartment building will have a “resort-style swimming pool, lap pool with infinity edge, cabanas, firepits, dog walk and dog-wash station,” according to a news release.
Mosaic follows in the footsteps of Helix, another apartment building where about 100 residents started moving in over the summer. The development’s third phase is called 555 Belaire, a six-story, 150,000-square-foot office building that will open this summer. Also anticipated soon: Wasserhund Brewing Company will move in as well as First Watch, a breakfast, brunch and lunch spot.
“This is truly a pedestrian paradise,” said Dollar Tree executive Chris Williams.