For the first time in more than two decades, city zoning and code inspectors will be dedicated solely to the Virginia Beach resort area in a new effort to rein in violators and spruce up Atlantic Avenue.
On Tuesday, the City Council approved funding for a new Resort Management Office to improve the 40-block commercial district by enforcing city codes, addressing homelessness issues, promoting safety and enhancing event programs.
“It’s going to change the tone down here and the atmosphere,” said George Kotarides, president of the Atlantic Avenue Association, a business organization working to boost the corridor’s image and encourage property owners to make improvements.
“It’s frustrating to see tattered awnings or dilapidated situations,” Kotarides said. “You want to have an adequate staff to watch over the area to make sure things don’t fall into disrepair.”
The city will use $1.1 million from a tourism tax fund to establish the office. About 85% of that will pay for a resort ambassador program, which will involve contract workers roaming Atlantic Avenue and the parks. The ambassadors will interact with visitors, report graffiti and remove decals and other trash.
An additional $361,287 from the general fund will be used to create new positions and help with operating costs. Two homeless outreach coordinators will canvas the resort area to keep homeless people from congregating on the sidewalks and to offer them housing and job resources, said Brian Solis, who works in the city manager’s office and will serve as acting resort manager to get the office operational by April 1.
A new zoning inspector will ensure that retail shops don’t break the rules as some have done in the past, Solis said. Rolling out merchandise with offensive language on the sidewalk is a violation, he said. Also, non-permitted signs will need to be removed.
“The goal is to make it a more family-friendly atmosphere than it is now,” said Solis.
Windows can’t remain boarded up and broken glass on doors must be fixed. Trash from construction projects can’t be left in alleys, he said.
Property owners will be getting a letter in the mail soon reminding them of the steps they should take to be compliant.
“Beware,” Solis said. ?????There may be an uptick in the enforcement.”
Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, stacy.parker@pilotonline.com
