Public Works wishes to update you on several construction projects surrounding the Virginia Beach Convention Center (VBCC) that may impact upcoming events, customers and surrounding Oceanfront area businesses and residents.
19th STREET IMPROVEMENTS
Underway is the rebuilding of parts of 19th Street between Arctic and Parks Avenues. This is the portion of 19th Street between the east end of the Convention Center and the oceanfront. The project will include new underground utilities, curb and gutter, pavement, some on-street parking, improved streetscapes and wider sidewalks between VBCC and the oceanfront. During this two year project the builder will keep one lane in each direction open of the current four lane road. During certain times, they may limit access to only one lane. Should this route be inadequate, alternate East West routes are available on 21st, 22nd and 17th Streets. We are excited that the end result will be a much improved roadway between VBCC and the resort area.
NEW CONSTRUCTION: VIRGINIA BEACH SPORTS CENTER
In July, the Virginia Beach City Council approved a comprehensive program to design and build a Sports Center adjacent to the VBCC to create a “convention and sports complex” environment as part of a larger oceanfront area Entertainment District initiative. The new 285,000 square foot Sports Center will be located on South Convention Center parking lots 3, 4 & 5 between 19th Street and Virginia Beach Blvd. Additional parking will eventually be constructed between the new structure and Birdneck Road. The southwest corner of VBCC is located across the street in the top right corner of the image below.
VBCC’s current inventory of 2,200 parking spaces is suitable for most events and even simultaneous events and the completed campus will include a net increase of approximately 256 new spaces. Until the new parking lots are constructed however, a reduced number of onsite parking spaces may impact large events or combinations of smaller simultaneous events. Clearing of trees for the new parking lots is scheduled for fall 2018 and new parking should be available next summer. Demolition of VBCC South parking lots, the footprint of the new Sports Center, is expected to begin this fall. The Sports Center is expected to take approximately two years to build.
Current Project Schedule:
Site Location:
Between 17th and 19th Street across from Virginia Beach Convention Center:
Construction Camera
A construction camera will be installed soon to view images of the Virginia Beach Sports Center construction. Special thanks to the Double Tree Virginia Beach Hotel for installing the camera on their roof.
History
A complete overview of the project history can be found HERE.
To keep up to date with these projects:
- Follow @VBSCconstruction on Twitter
- Email VBSCconstruction@vbgov.com to be added to a weekly email newsletter provided by Public Works Department