Focus Areas
Virginia Beach Vision has identified the following six focus areas. Each focus area is made of task force members who meet to identify key initiatives that need to be addressed and then develop statements of position that are shared with Hampton Roads’ civic leaders.
HOUSING
The task force will look at city plans to facilitate and grow the affordable housing stock in Virginia Beach by: 1. Understanding what constitutes “affordable” housing; 2. Studying the existing inventory of affordable housing; 3. Identifying obstacles to affordable housing; 4. Identifying programs, both governmental and NGO, that financially incentivize such development; 5. Encourage innovation in the development of mixed-use areas inclusive of placemaking projects that will attract new workers; and 5. Consider best practices that might be emulated. The task force will also work with its regional partners to identify and advocate programs and regional initiatives that address homelessness.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
The task force will continue to focus on improvement to the city’s planning and permitting process for business development and to the regulatory requirements for stormwater mitigation. Attention will also be given to: 1. Economic development site readiness opportunities such as the Williams Farm aka Coastal Virginia Commerce Park; 2. Emerging new industry clusters including offshore wind, mental health care, and development of a global internet hub; and 3. Creation of a plan and advertising strategy to recruit remote workers.
CITY VISIONING
The task force will continue its focus on identifying the city budget elements most critical to the city’s and region’s future business retention, development, and economic prosperity. The task force will advocate for related city budget funding. Focus will include efforts to promote the city’s creation of a long-term strategic vision, citywide transportation technologies and alternatives, and creation of a “brand identity” for the city.
Member Development
The task force will address areas significant to the growth, engagement, and retention of Vision board members including: 1. Identification and recruitment of member candidates and subsequent candidate interviews; 2. Efforts to continue diversification of the membership; 3. Encourage member participation and appointment to city and regional committees, commissions, and organizations; 4. Planning of member engagement events (OFF THE CLOCK, Refreshing Exchange, other).
ResILIENCE/ENVIRONMENT
The task force will continue to work on: 1. Identifying and promoting intra-regional, collaborative efforts to address flood resiliency; 2. Collaboration among the cities in identifying, prioritizing, planning, and funding flood resiliency projects that impact shared waterways; 3. Encouraging HR localities to jointly plan and seek state and federal grants for mitigation projects; 4. Advocacy for a recurring, stable state funding source for flood mitigation infrastructure and resilience; 5. Supporting efforts to monetize flood mitigation research, technologies, and business development; and 6. Monitor the city’s implementation of projects funded through bonding authority and in the CIP. Expanding its focus the task force will also consider the environmental impacts of flooding and resilience strategies, the integration of ecological considerations into flood mitigation plans, promotion of sustainable development practices, and work towards enhancing the natural resilience of ecosystems against climate-induced changes, emphasizing the importance of environmental stewardship in flood resiliency and mitigation efforts.
RESORT DEVELOPMENT
The task force will: 1. Monitor implementation of the resort area strategic plan; 2. Monitor and influence major development projects significant to future economic development including the Rudee Loop redevelopment, the Atlantic Park development, and need for a headquarters convention center hotel; 3. Support expansion and enhancements to the ViBe district; 4. Encourage city support of cultural activities and art that enhance the city as a family-friendly, diverse destination; and, 5. Engage in plans to maintain the Virginia Aquarium as a Virginia Beach asset.