In 2009, the Department of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation began planning activities for the relocation of the Lighthouse day services center. Recognizing the need for a more comprehensive approach, DHNP shifted planning activities to focus instead on a multi-purpose, housing resource center.
At a Lighthouse Site Selection Committee meeting (held September 19, 2011 at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center), the Lighthouse Site Selection Committee generated a list of criteria that should be considered in the selection of a site. Although DHNP is no longer looking for a site simply to relocate the Lighthouse Center, but instead looking for a site to develop a multi-purpose housing resource center, some of the
site location criteria that were developed by the Committee can and should be applied to the search for an adequate housing resource center location.
Possible site: 104 N. Witchduck Rd.
On July 31, 2012 the City acquired property located at 104 N. Witchduck Road (northeast corner of Witchduck and Southern Blvd). The acquisition includes a tract of land that will be required for the Witchduck Road, Phase II, CIP 2-025 road realignment project.
There is adequate space on the site (4.7 acres) for other city uses. DHNP staff believe the
characteristics of the 104 N. Witchduck Road site would make it well-suited for development of a housing resource center.
Development components on the site could include:
- A housing resource center.
- A city-owned office building that could replace office space that is currently being leased by the city, thereby reducing annual leasing costs (Department of Human Services and other possible departments).
- A parking structure to support city offices, adjoining land uses and future development in the Pembroke SGA.
- Excellent design that will set the tone, and be an example, for future development of the Central Village District of the Pembroke SGA.
Acquisition of the 104 N. Witchduck Road property does NOT mean that development of a housing resource center will be guaranteed to take place on the site. A fully developed housing resource center project plan will be presented to the City Council in 2013 for a separate vote, independent of the site acquisition decision.
See an
aerial view of the 104 N. Witchduck Rd. property.