News Summary
Virginia Beach is contemplating a $64 million redevelopment project on Laskin Road, which may impact local businesses like Love Song and Sushi Vice. The City Council plans to decide on property sales and redevelopment plans that include demolishing an existing shopping center to build apartments, retail, and offices. While intended to boost economic growth and generate significant tax revenue, local entrepreneurs express concerns over rising rents and loss of community character. The project also aims to support ongoing initiatives and preserve the vibrant cultural identity of the area amid prior redevelopment efforts and new projects like The Canopy.
Virginia Beach is facing potential significant changes as the City Council is scheduled to review a $64 million redevelopment project on Laskin Road, which could threaten the existence of several local businesses, including popular restaurants Love Song and Sushi Vice. The council’s decision on the sale of property located at 333 Laskin Road for $1.5 million, previously occupied by Papa John’s, will be made on Tuesday. Developer VB Laskin Road LLC plans to demolish the aging shopping center nearby and construct a mixed-use apartment complex.
The proposed redevelopment aims to introduce approximately 215 apartments, along with a parking deck and 20,000 square feet of additional retail, office, and restaurant space. City Councilman Worth Remick highlighted the city’s decade-long efforts to enhance the Laskin Road area to stimulate economic development. He noted that if the council approves the sale, the city would retain the right to approve project details and have the option to reacquire the property if the construction does not commence within three years.
This redevelopment will grant current tenants at least 30 months to continue their operations before the shopping strip is demolished, with construction expected to take over two years. Local business owners have expressed concerns about potentially not being able to afford the new rents that may come with future leasing arrangements. Trey French of Sushi Vice mentioned he would only consider returning if the conditions are favorable.
The businesses in the area have cultivated a distinct synergy and branding, fostering a vibrant cultural hotspot where creative enterprises thrive. Store manager Kobe Wiggins expressed anxiety over losing the “good energy” and cultural identity that current businesses contribute to the community if the redevelopment proceeds.
Previous redevelopment initiatives along Laskin Road have not favored local businesses. The construction of another project known as The Canopy is also underway, which features 132 luxury apartments and 10,000 square feet of retail space, alongside a new traffic signal planned for Laskin Road. Expected to finish this winter, the initial move-ins for The Canopy are scheduled for March.
The projected redevelopment plans are anticipated to generate over $1.2 million in new annual real estate taxes. In light of this, some local business owners have requested that part of these funds be reinvested into incentives for small businesses to help mitigate the impact of the redevelopment on their operations.
The community surrounding Laskin Road has a rich history of engagement and initiatives, such as hosting a strawberry festival that showcases the array of vibrant businesses operating in the area, despite the looming challenges posed by the planned redevelopment. The potential transformation of the Laskin Road area remains a topic of significant concern and interest for local residents and business owners alike as the council prepares for its decision.
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Additional Resources
- Pilot Online: Laskin Road Land Sale
- Wikipedia: Virginia Beach
- WTKR: Mixed Use Development Laskin Road
- Google Search: Laskin Road Virginia Beach
- Legacy: George Stein Obituary
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Virginia Beach
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