Should the City Council approve the agreement between Virginia Beach and United States Management to build an arena at the resort? Yes or no. Why or why not?

I say No

I am against this project for many reasons. I was born and raised in VB at the Oceanfront and have lived in VB almost my entire life. We (the city of VB) are not set up to handle such a venue, especially at the proposed location. Traffic is already a nightmare in the summer time at the oceanfront, especially so on weekends. There are no amount of traffic design controls or multi-modal options to even attempt to mitigate this in the least. I think this will hurt our city, not help. I understand the motivations of our leaders are in the right place (hopefully) but this is the wrong idea. The area immediately around the proposed location will only continue it's slide into the lower echelons of the socio-economic ladder.

I say Yes

I say Yes

This will bring jobs and revenue into the area. However, it would be even nicer to have a light rail stop to use. (hint, hint) I may not come to a lot of events there, but I sure will spend a lot of money at the outlet stores up off of Northampton when they open. Thanks Norfolk!

I say No

No arena for the resort area. It will just add more traffic, crime and problems in an area that has already become unpleasant to live in. And tourists come here for the water, not sports! An unecessary and greed-driven project that will cost way more than it is worth in dollars and problems!

I say Yes

The arena will greatly enhance the city's image, provide a wider variety of entertainment, bring more business during off-peak season and provide employment opportunities (even though most might be part-time).

I say No

No to Chinese funding, no to Chinese materials, no to a third arena competing with two other better established venues, no to the location (parking, traffic) and no to the additional spending while we still have light rail hanging over our heads and last but not least no because we still have under paid fire and police!

I say Yes

I say No

We already have two arenas in the Tidewater area. I see no need for a third as the other two stand unused the majority of the time. Plus, we already have a convention center. No need to spend millions of taxpayers dollars on a risky folly when we have a huge shortfall already. Let's fix our roads!

I say Yes

Would love to have an arena that attracts the larger events. My biggest concern would be the tunnel and access from those outside of Virginia Beach.

I say No

Public private partnerships are a good venture putting risk on the venue and less on the taxpayer. My concerns, however, are many. Budget shortfall, increase in debt service and decrease in revenue are recent stories in the Pilot which can't be ignored. A 60 year lease seems excesive and contrary to established 40 year limits. Bolstering China's economy instead of Americas is an opportunity missed to strengthen domestic growth. Chinese product quality is known to be lacking specifically in Virginia Beach, and China was slow to resolve the issue. Many arenas exist in the region, many underutilized. Another moves us away from the much discussed regionalism. I am not a proponent of the 'build it and they will come' philosophy especially in a flat and reeceeding economy.