Home
Syndicate content

Norfolk city

Pentagon advisory board recommends cutting Joint Forces Command

A Pentagon advisory board tasked with finding ways to cut defense spending has recommended eliminating the Joint Forces Command, which is located in Norfolk.

The military installation has a significant economic impact on Hampton Roads, underpinning the area's high-tech industry. That segment of the local economy provided almost 4,500 high-paying jobs and contributed about $365 million to the local economy in 2007, according to a 2007 Old Dominion University Report.

Read more in local news outlets:

Posted on Monday, July 26, 2010 - 9:04pm

State courts bidders for new U.S. 460

VDOT is hoping to coax private developers to bid on the chance to build and operate a new multibillion-dollar U.S. 460 as a toll road. To drum up interest, the state is offering cash and other incentives.

Without an offer of public funds, the project has gone nowhere. Officials hope the promise of a public partnership will stimulate interest.

The new U.S. 460 will be a  55-mile, four-lane, divided highway between Suffolk and Petersburg. 

Read more from The Virginian-Pilot....

Posted on Thursday, July 22, 2010 - 6:59pm

Norfolk steps up tax collection efforts

The City of Norfolk will be cracking down on delinquent taxpayers in an effort to collect $9.8 million in back real-estate taxes. The lost revenue has left the city short of funds.

In April, Norfolk had nearly 300 parcels that were more than 10 years delinquent on tax payments. In comparison, Portsmouth had 14 and Chesapeake had 34.

Read more in The Virginian-Pilot....

Posted on Wednesday, July 21, 2010 - 9:43pm

Hampton Roads travel troubles expected to worsen

photo by Burning ImageRush hours in Hampton Roads currently see 12% of the region's primary routes severely clogged,  according to the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization. Officials say 29% will be jammed by 2030 -- and that's assuming that major projects now on the drawing board are completed.

"The numbers don't surprise me at all," said Commonwealth Transportation Board member Aubrey Layne of Virginia Beach. "In Hampton Roads, we have $19 billion in needs... and just $2.3 billion to spend" in the next 30 years.

Read more in The Virginian-Pilot....

Posted on Tuesday, July 20, 2010 - 8:40pm

Officials: 36 hours needed to evacuate Hampton Roads

Local transportation officials say 36 hours would be needed to evacuate residents if a major hurricane hit Hampton Roads, because the state's evacuation plan isn't up to the task.

Virginia's Hurricane Emergency Response Plan estimates that 300,000 vehicles would hit the roads during an evacuation. Officials say it would take 36 hours to evacuate at-risk residents in South Hampton Roads.

"Thirty-six hours is not reasonable," said Rob Case, principal transportation engineer for the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization. 

Read more from The Associated Press....

Posted on Tuesday, July 20, 2010 - 7:05pm

Officials looking at wind farms for Virginia

Virginia officials are working to lay the groundwork for the state to become a national hub for wind technology. If they are successful, it could mean an estimated $80 billion to the Commonwealth and more than 5,000 long-term jobs.

"We have the potential for not only wind turbines off the coast of Virginia, but for Hampton Roads to become the silicon valley of wind development for the entire east coast," said Bob Matthias, assistant to the Virginia Beach city manager.

Learn more at WAVY-TV 10....

Posted on Friday, July 16, 2010 - 6:34pm

Unpaid taxes costing Norfolk millions

Failure to collect delinquent property taxes has cost Norfolk $13 million -- and it's unclear when the city will get its hands on the funds.

The Virginian-Pilot discovered that as of mid-April, the city had more than 900 parcels with taxes at least three years overdue. Of those, almost 300 were 10 years past due.

"The process we've been using is not the way to go anymore, perhaps," said Wendy Petchel, the real estate supervisor in the city treasurer's office. "It's a procedure that was working in the beginning. Now we have to question whether this is working."

Ultimately, all city residents pay when property owners ignore tax obligations -- through decreased services, increased taxes, or both.

Read more in The Virginian-Pilot....

Posted on Tuesday, July 6, 2010 - 3:11pm

Officials hope for "Lynchburg-like success" for Norfolk-Richmond rail line

photo by netdog1103Thelma Drake, director of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, hopes that the Richmond-Norfolk passenger train, slated to start running in three years, will be as successful as the new Lynchburg-Washington service. The Commonwealth Transportation Board has approved $93 million to fund needed track upgrades. "We think it's money well spent," said Drake, "And we think we'll have Lynchburg-like success."

The number of passengers using the Amtrak service launched in October out of Lynchburg has far exceeded expectations, topping its annual ridership goal in just six months.

Increased transportation options between metropolitan areas benefit homeowners by making commuting and recreational travel easier and more pleasant. Prospective homebuyers take such options into consideration, and homes close to transportation hubs may see a bump in value as a result.

Read more in The Virginian-Pilot....

Posted on Monday, June 28, 2010 - 4:08pm

Funding in place for Norfolk-Richmond train

photo by reivaxThe Commonwealth Transportation Board has approved $93 million to re-establish passenger rail in South Hampton Roads. Passenger trains stopped running in South Hampton Roads in 1977.

The plan calls for Norfolk Southern's tracks that roughly parallel U.S. 460 and CSX's tracks from Petersburg to Richmond to be upgraded, allowing one passenger train a day to make the trip from Norfolk to Richmond. 

Homeowners may benefit from improved transportation infrastructure. It provides commuters with more options, and opens the door to general improvements in the local economy.

Read more in The Virginian-Pilot....

Posted on Thursday, June 17, 2010 - 9:11am

Hampton Roads housing market impacted by military

photo by respresThe presence of about 120,000 uniformed military personnel stationed in area military installations has somewhat sheltered Hampton Roads from the worst of the current economic slump. Salaries, services, and supplies -- to the tune of $14 billion a year -- boost the local economy and in turn the housing market.

Homeowners looking to sell or rent their property can benefit from keeping in mind the needs of military buyers. Find out more in this article from The Virginian-Pilot.

 

 

 

 

Posted on Tuesday, June 15, 2010 - 10:58pm