Minutes of the meeting of the Buckroe Improvement League, Inc. (BIL)

Date: 02-27-08Time: 6:30-8:00pmPlace: Brass Lantern

Meeting Type: BIL Meeting

Participants: Steering Committee Members: Thomas Ponko, Mark Hollingsworth, Cecile Trevathan, Beverly Crandell, Wendi Powers, Matthew Lawrence. ???? guests

Guest Speaker: Susan Borland, Economic Development Department, City of Hampton

Purpose: Organization of the BIL, Buckroe Issues

Discussion:

  • Chairman’s report
  • Introduction of Steering Committee and new attendees
  • Definition of the BIL – Not the BCA, or an extension of the Green Space Ladies
  • Focus on improving the commercial corridors in Buckroe
  • Intent is for Buckroe Business to assume a leadership role in BIL
  • Phoebus Improvement League can be used as a model
  • Things to do (carryover from last month’s minutes)

Develop membership requirements/dues, etc

Elect Board of Directors

Obtain 501(c)(3) designation

Investigate enterprise zone requirements

Investigate historical area requirements

Meet with Neighborhood Office

Meet with Hampton Redevelopment and Housing Office

  • Minutes of January 23, 2008 – Motion for Approval: John Pane, seconded by Eddie Deerfield
  • Status regarding the BIL limited liability corporation, with the State Corporation Commission
  • Chairman is proceeding with the application process ($75.00 application fee)
  • False start under previous Chairman
  • Chairman presented the outcome of is meeting with the Mayor
  • BIL Chairman sent an email to the Mayor and also met with the Mayor to discuss concerns regarding issues currently facing the Buckroe Community
  • BarkPark - small dog area
  • Road Intrusions
  • Vehicle Speed along First Street & more police patrol
  • Take the Right Approach
  • Mayor’s Vision is not to ‘bulldoze’ Buckroe
  • approach properties
  • improve Buckroe Avenue
  • improve B Lots
  • high density development (condos) are removed from Master Plan, single family homes are now the focus
  • beach type retail/commercial businesses desired
  • parking issues continue to be a concern
  • Suggested trip to Riverwalk in Historic Yorktown to observe parking solutions
  • No gain in being adversarial with city officials
  • Buckroe Pier
  • Public Hearing - very good representation - BIL & BCA as well as citizens
  • Chesapeake Landing Homeowner’s Association filed suit against the City
  • VMRC approved
  • Permit process has become; construction on the pier is forthcoming
  • Introduction of Speaker: Susan Borland, Executive Director Phoebus Improvement League, City of Hampton, Economic Development Office
  • Commercial advantages for having the Buckroe Improvement League - what’s available
  • BIL feasibility
  • Phoebus Improvement League: How they became successful

­used Main Street USA as a model

­Phoebus Civic Association

  • primarily a business/social activity
  • rotary club
  • businesses did not have a way to prosper - move forward
  • What the Phoebus Improve League had as an advantage - the History from then to Now

­Strong sense of community

­Focus on Improvements - both commercial and residential

­Applied for funding from the City

  • Focus also on Facade Improvements

­architectural improvements

­revolving loan fund

­lower interests rates

­Virginia Main Street Program

­Historic Preservation

­National Trust

­Self-initiated

­2001 - FortMonroe gates were closed to the public

­Susan became their Director

­Phoebus lobbied the City for Improvements

­Worth the City’s investments

­Hurricane Isabel - 2003

­Phoebus Civic Association and Phoebus Improvement League joined forces

­More residential outreach

  • Discussion regarding the types of businesses being sought for the area
  • Commercial & residential and co-exist

­upstairs - downstairs approach

­mix-use

  • Questions - Discussion - all

­Buckroe Master Plan - how the BIL can be involved

­commercial corridor

­B Lots - residential/commercial mix-use

­very emotional issues - preservation of the ‘old Buckroe’ vs. Master Plan

­affordable residential vs high end housing

­point of origin - will the focus for improvement spread to other areas

­will the plan change i.e., Downtown Hampton was supposed to be mix-use

­Phoebus Improvement League did not have immediate results - it took time; focus was initially residential

­As the Phoebus Improvement League Director, Ms. Borland worked closely with the Neighborhood Office (City of Hampton)

­Hired a Consultant

­Established the Historic District (tax credits, economic incentives)

­Attracted New Business

­Use the Main Street Approach

­501c status necessary to apply for Grants, must have good accounting practices

­BIL is on the right track

­Hampton: too many vacant storefronts in the existing strip malls

­A one-size-fits-all approach is not realistic when it comes to what needs to happen

­Call Susan for more information 728-5149

  • New Business: Develop membership requirements/dues
  • Elect Board of Directors
  • Obtain 501c3 designation
  • Investigate enterprise zone requirements
  • Investigate historical area requirements
  • Meet with Neighborhood Office
  • Meet with Hampton Redevelopment & Housing Office
  • Comments: good start
  • focus on Buckroe & Pembroke Avenue Corridors
  • ask for priorities to be established in the Buckroe Master Plan
  • residents would like to see improvements in the neighborhoods
  • repair/replacement of damaged planters along the boardwalk
  • incentives should be offered to residents to repair/improve older properties
  • continue pursuing local businesses & residents for their participation

No further action/discussion Meeting adjourned @ 8:15pm

Next meeting scheduled:

March 26, 2008

6:30 pm

Brass Lantern

Submitted by: Beverly Crandell, February 6, 2008

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