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Economic development staff touts Virginia Tech ARAC, downtown redevelopment and wind-power opportunities
Summary
Economic Development presented recent investments that the city says will catalyze waterfront redevelopment: a Virginia Tech research building with a $750,000 aquaculture grant, the Goodyear site residential/commercial redevelopment, the Tapestry Landing hotel renovation, and broader prospects in unmanned systems and offshore wind supply chains.
Chuck Rigney, economic development chief, told the council the presence of a Virginia Tech research facility and the Virginia Tech Foundation's investment have helped position downtown Hampton for new waterfront amenities and commercial tenants. He said the Virginia Tech-affiliated work recently attracted a $750,000 grant for sustainable shellfish aquaculture research.
Rigney described major private investments underway or planned: the Goodyear site redevelopment (Phase 1: 131 residential units and 10,000 square feet of commercial space), a top-to-bottom renovation of the former Hampton Marina Hotel into the Hilton Tapestry Landing, and proposals to energize the 22-acre Buckroe area as mixed-use waterfront development. He said these projects, combined with Fort Monroe redevelopment opportunities, strengthen the case for attracting grocery provisioners, restaurants and visitor services downtown.
He also argued Hampton is well-positioned to capture portions of the emerging offshore wind economy and unmanned systems clusters because of local shipbuilding, existing maritime assets and available sites for manufacturing and outfitting. Rigney cited recent discussions about specialized vessels and supply chains tied to the region's wind and maritime activity.
Councilmembers raised workforce development and academy programs to ensure local residents can benefit from new jobs; staff highlighted ongoing coordination with school academies and training partners.
