HomeMy WebLinkAboutLAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING ACADEMY PROJECT UPDATELaw Enforcement Training Academy
Replacement
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Chad Morris, Acting Chief Facilities Officer
October 6, 2026
Purpose
Focused Action Plan
Places: 2.17 Finalize design plans for the new Law
Enforcement Training Academy (LETA) facility; the new
facility will expand training capacity and better meet
public safety needs.
•Provide a LETA project update to City Council
•Request concurrence on final site selection
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History
Background
•City Police (VBPD) and Sheriffs (VBSO) have utilized the old Seatack Elementary School
for training purposes since 2000
•The Law Enforcement Training Academy (LETA) facility is relatively unchanged since its
utilization as an elementary school
Facility Issues
•The building is over 50 years old and does not contain enough room or technology to
adequately serve its intended purpose
•Many fixtures (including restrooms) were constructed and outfitted with fixtures for
elementary aged children, and facility is also prone to flooding under storm events
•The facility lacks the appropriate security measures to adequately protect students, faculty
and staff
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History (continued)
Previous Work
•A space needs analysis was performed in 2019, in conjunction with VBPD and VBSO
•From 2019-2022 possible sites were discussed (Leroy Road, existing location, Creeds)
•In 2023 the basis of design was revised with updated requirements for VBPD and VBSO
and a potential concept was generated
•In a Council briefing on March 11th, 2025, a potential concept was presented with
Council support to move forward with the ITA Municipal Services Area as the site to be
considered
•In fall 2025, staff were directed to evaluate the South Birdneck Road site
Today
•Moseley Architects is now under contract to design the LETA facility
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Law Enforcement Training
Academy Replacement
CITY of VIRGINIA BEACH
City Council Briefing Session
October 06, 2026 Presenter:
Ron Davenport
Project Manager 5
BRIEFING
Introductions
Project Status
Sites Considered
Project Timeline
Questions
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PROJECT STATUS
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Objective
Develop & finalize design plans for the new Law
Enforcement Training Academy (LETA) facility; the
new facility will expand training capacity and better
meet public safety needs.
Design Team is currently
Finalizing Consultant Contracts
Analyzing Sites
Preparing Design Team to Advance
Project Data
(from Study)
Building Area: 131,000 gsf
Building Construction Budget: $82.0mm 8
Renderings from Original Study 9
Plans from Original Study
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SITES CONSIDERED
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SITE 1
Integrity Way, Existing LETA Site
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SITE 1
Virginia Beach Expressway Integrity Way
Current LETA
Facility
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STRENGTHS:
•Current location for academy-
consistent legacy branding.
•Direct regional access (and visibility) by
adjacent highways.
•All major utility infrastructure generally
already in place.
•Site elevation reasonable (12’ asl.)
CHALLENGES:
•Site Utilization And Access Very
Limiting Due To Site Geometry.
•Construction Activities Disruptive
During In-session Academies.
•Portions Of New Facility In FEMA SFHA
Zone A.
•AICUZ Zone Could Be Limiting (APZ II,
>75db.)
•Property Size Is Quite Limiting For
Academy Expansion And Exterior Pt
Activities.
•Total Property Size: 19.9 Ac.
•Property Ownership Transfer.
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SITE 2
S Birdneck Rd, Waterpark Adjacent
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SITE 2
General Booth Blvd
Birdneck Rd
Ocean Breeze
Waterpark
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General Booth Blvd
Birdneck Rd
Ocean Breeze
Waterpark
SITE 2 Portion of
Property
Containing
Wetlands
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STRENGTHS:
•Mildly distant access to adjacent
highways.
•All major utility infrastructure generally
already in place.
•Site access just off Birdneck Rd.
CHALLENGES:
•Site Utilization And Access Very
Limiting Due To Site Geometry.
•Construction Activities Disruptive
During In-session Academies.
•Portions Of New Facility In FEMA SFHA
Zone A.
•AICUZ Zone Could Be Limiting (APZ II,
>75db.)
•Property Size Is Limiting For Academy
Expansion And Exterior Pt Activities.
•Total Property Size: 12.7 Ac.
•Includes 5.1 acres of Wetlands
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SITE 3
ITA Site, Landstown Rd, Extended
*Recommended Site for LETA Project
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Images from ITA Master Plan Document
SITE 3
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Images from ITA Master Plan Document
STRENGTHS:
•Site Access Potentially Just Off
Immediately Extended Landstown Rd.
•Site Elevation Reasonable (12’ Asl.)
•As Part Of A City Expansion Zone,
Opportunity For Broad Customization.
•Use Is Compatible With ITA Master
Plan.
•AICUZ Zone Has No Impact.
•Expanded Shared Use For Cadets-
Cross Country Trails, Ballfields.
•Property Size Flexible; Tailored To
Academy Space Needs.
•Approximate Property Size: 167 Ac.
CHALLENGES:
•All major utility infrastructure needs to
be brought to site.
•More remote access from adjacent
highways.
•Property/ parcel does not yet exist.
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Images from ITA Master Plan Document
SITE 3
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PROJECT TIMELINE
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Milestones Moving Forward
All Design Phases 18 months
City Review / Permitting 3 months
Bidding / Negotiations & Award 3 months
Construction Duration 24 months
FFE / Move In 3 months
Total Design + Construction 51 months
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LETA Next Steps
Moving Forward:
1.Complete site analysis
2.Focus conceptual options on one
site (ITA recommended)
3.Confirm architectural program
4.Establish schematic design
workshop milestones
5.Periodic communication with City
Council
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THANK YOU
QUESTIONS?
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