HomeMy WebLinkAboutRUDEE PARK UPDATERudee Park Update
Michael Kirschman, Parks and Recreation Director
Chad Morris, Acting Chief Facilities Officer
October 20, 2026
1
Agenda
2
1.Design Progress and Timeline
2.Project Design Insights
3.Fundraising Update
4.Conservancy Discussion
Approved Concept Plan
3
Concept Plan Renderings
4
Concept Plan Renderings
5
Design Progress
•60% Design Progress Set received on 08/26/2026
•Currently under internal review and comment
•Plans submitted to Development Services Center
•90% Design Progress Set due on 12/22/2026
•100% Final Design due on 02/25/2027
•Bidding and construction award to follow
•Anticipated construction to begin late fall of 2027
•Two years of construction is expected
6
SITE PLAN 60% DESIGN
7
Design Insights
Setbacks and Zoning
•Application was submitted on September 1st for:
•Enhanced landscaping to achieve Optional Forms of Development
for parking setbacks
•Alternative Compliance need for 0’ buffer along 2nd Street connector
park
•City Council vote in December/January
Street Closure and CUP
•Street Closure plat needed
•CUP needed to have food trucks more than 4x per year
•Both items will most likely run concurrently (schedule TBD)
•City Council vote mid 2027
8
Design Insights
Larger Vehicle Circulation and Beach
Ramp Access
Challenge with providing various
vehicular movements:
•Busses, semi-trailers, fire trucks, etc.
•Circulation has been worked out
Beach Access Ramp Analysis
•Evaluated the efficiency/effectiveness of
building a new beach access ramp at 4th,
5th, or 6th Streets
•Recommended to retain the 2nd Street
beach access ramp
9
Design Insights
Rudee Sector Gate
•Sector gate alignment interferes with the switchbacks and
overhead structure within the 30% Rudee Park Beach Village
•With the sector gate still in concept phase, and with no
definite implementation timeline, it is a challenge to ensure
a full, seamless approach between both projects
•Beach Village has been modified to minimize any major
impacts to the future implementation of a surge barrier
Beach Village at 60% Design
10
Design Insights
Property Acquisition, Transfers, and
Parking Leases
•Property at 310 Atlantic Ave. is
acquired
•Structure will be demolished
down to the foundation ahead of
park construction
•Existing VBDA parcels would
transfer to City of Virginia Beach
•Three parking lease agreements
will terminate by Fall 2027
•Schooner Inn
•Dolphin Run
•Waterman’s
Existing VBDA parcels transfer
to City of Virginia Beach
Property acquisition
11
Fundraising Study
Overall Observations
•Rudee Park viewed as a transformational opportunity for the
City, with support of the vision and significant investment
•Confidence in Virginia Gentlemen Foundation’s (VGF)
leadership to manage the campaign
•Acknowledgement that this campaign will primarily rely on a
select group of businesses and philanthropists
•Broad support identified for long-term Rudee Park
Conservancy nonprofit model following the campaign;
however, questions remain regarding the governance
structure and future City support for maintaining a world
class park
12
Fundraising Study
13
Overall Observations (continued)
•The Curtis Group recommends the City of Virginia Beach
move forward with an $8-$10 million philanthropic
campaign, managed by the Virginia Gentlemen Foundation,
to support the development of Rudee Park
•Philanthropic Goal: $8-10M
•Campaign Timeline: 22 months
•Campaign Pledge Period: Up to 5 years
•Campaign success will depend on:
•Strong volunteer leadership
•Early leadership gifts
•Visible support from the business community
Fundraising Update
14
Virginia Gentlemen Foundation
•Fundraising agreement in place
with the City
•VGF (on 05/15) has also obtained
their non-profit status and
approval to solicit on behalf of a
municipal entity
•Ready to begin fundraising now
that study is complete
•Looking into a Spring 2027 onsite
“kickoff” event
Park Conservancy
CONTRIBUTING
FRIENDS GROUP
OPERATING
FRIENDS GROUP
HYBRID JOINT
OPERATION
PRIVATE/ NON-
PROFIT
MANAGEMENT
PRIVATE/NON-
PROFIT
MANAGEMENT
& FUNDING
PRIVATE
OWNERSHIP
MANAGEMENT
& FUNDING
TYPICALLY NO
FORMAL
AGREEMENT
WITH THE CITY.
INDIVIDUAL OPERATING
AGREEMENTS FOR
FACILITIES,EVENTS,
AND CONCESSIONS.
LICENSE TO
OPERATE FROM
THE CITY.
REVENUE SHARE ON
EVENTS AND
CONCESSIONS.
LONG-TERM LEASE
AND
MANAGEMENT
AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY.
PRIVATE OWNERSHIP,
PRIVATE
MANAGEMENT.
Operating & Maintaining a World Class Park
Safe, Secure, Well maintained, and Vibrant Year-round
LESS INDEPENDENT MORE INDEPENDENT
15
Park Conservancy
16
Establish the Rudee Park Conservancy Nonprofit
•Establish as the long-term governing organization responsible for the park’s operations, stewardship and
sustainability
•Begin process of securing 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status during campaign
•Define and clearly communicate the ongoing roles and responsibilities of the Conservancy, the City and VGF
•Develop transition plan for the phased transfer of fundraising responsibility from VGF following the campaign
Park Conservancy
17
Establish the Rudee Park Conservancy Nonprofit (continued)
•Establish a self-perpetuating governing board of 12 to 15 members responsible for:
•Providing long-term governance, fundraising leadership and strategic oversight
•Hiring staff to oversee park operations, fundraising and administration
•Developing annual operating budget and identifying diversified funding sources, including City support,
sponsorships, philanthropy and earned revenue
•Adopting key governance and organizational policies
•Maintaining the Conservancy’s tax-exempt status and organizational compliance
•Stewarding relationships with campaign donors to sustain engagement and cultivate future annual support
•Ensuring implementation of campaign naming commitments and overseeing future naming opportunities and
recognition policies
THANK YOU
QUESTIONS?
18