Rudee Park Project
At a glance
- What: Redesign of Rudee Park at the Oceanfront (beach village, elevated walkway, interactive water play, nature play, indoor pavilion), moving from concept to construction drawings.
- Where it stands: Design is at 60%; a 90% set is due December 22, 2026; final design is hoped for February 2027; construction would start in late fall 2027 for about two years.
- Next: Planning Commission and then council votes on alternate compliance (December or January), then a street closure and a food-truck conditional use permit (mid-2027); creation of a park conservancy soon after the new year.
Design changes since the concept plan
- Elevated walkway and beach village reshaped (one overlook instead of two) to leave room for a possible future coastal storm risk sector gate.
- Cul-de-sac enlarged for buses and emergency vehicles; indoor pavilion moved north. Beach access ramp stays at 2nd Street after other locations were judged unworkable.
- 310 Atlantic Avenue has closed and is to be demolished by year end for roughly 30 to 35 more surface parking spaces; a Virginia Beach Development Authority parcel is to transfer to the city and three parking leases end by fall 2027.
Fundraising and conservancy
- Curtis Group feasibility study recommends a realistic 8 to 10 million dollar campaign over up to two years (pledges up to five), run through the Virginia Gentlemen, with naming opportunities; public kickoff expected in the spring. Michael Kerschman presented (spelling uncertain).
- Staff recommend a nonprofit conservancy on the Bryant Park model with a 12 to 15 member board, an executive director and full day-to-day operations; the intent is for park revenue to cover operations and minor repairs, with major repairs a city and conservancy matter. Council would need to approve funding and the direction.
Questions raised
- Vice Mayor Wilson: surface parking (no parking deck planned), how board members would be appointed, national fundraising.
- Jennifer Rouse: the city's ongoing maintenance responsibility.
- Another member: how council can weigh in on conservancy models, and timing relative to the VB Trail (two of four phases funded).
Sources
- 2026-10-20 - City Council (auto-captioned recording of the October 20, 2026 City Council meeting)
Discussion time
About 25 minutes across 1 meeting (from transcript timestamps; approximate).
| Meeting | Minutes |
|---|---|
| 2026-10-20 - City Council | 25 |
Log
- 2026-10-20 - City Council — Briefing (informational, no vote) by Parks and Recreation staff and architect Clay Deals on 60% design, schedule, upcoming approvals and the conservancy; fundraising study reported.