More Stories
Petersburg sues to demolish old Ramada
Shuttered hotel owned by former NFL player Chris Harrison is "public nuisance," city says
Published
The city of Petersburg filed a lawsuit Friday against the company owned by developer and former NFL player Chris Harrison, who promised in 2015 to replace the city’s shuttered and dilapidated Ramada Inn with a brand-new hotel, 100 apartment units and retail space. Six years later, redevelopment has not taken place. In Friday’s filing, Petersburg
Shamin Hotels purchases Va. Beach Hampton Inn
Oceanfront property assessed at $20M
Published
Chesterfield County-based Shamin Hotels has purchased the 120-room Hampton Inn property on Virginia Beach’s Oceanfront, Grand Bay Advisors, which represented the seller in the transaction, announced Friday. The sale amount was not disclosed, but the land and building are assessed at $20.6 million, according to city records. Norfolk-based Grand Bay said in a news release
Advertisement
Rolling out the red carpet
Tourism destination branches into tech, offshore wind
Published
With high-speed subsea internet cables landing on Virginia Beach’s shores and massive wind turbines propelling off its coast, the state’s largest city is primed to welcome new businesses and industries generating high-end jobs. “Virginia Beach is going to be the epicenter of economic development on the East Coast,” says Mayor Bobby Dyer. “I am convinced
Play ball!
Sports teams and tourism destinations expect summer rebound
Published
Minor League Baseball is back for 2021, after the coronavirus pandemic canceled the 2020 season. And there’s no question that this summer will look much different than a typical baseball season. But the Richmond Flying Squirrels are optimistic. The team kicked off its season May 4. All fans who had vouchers or credits for 2020
Help wanted
Hotels, restaurants confront post-pandemic staffing crisis
Published
Twenty years ago, John Zirkle was just starting out in the Virginia Beach hotel business as a houseman, stripping bed sheets and doing laundry. Fast-forward to today and he is general manager of the Doubletree by Hilton at Virginia Beach and president of the beach’s hotel association. Lately, though, Zirkle’s had to recall some of
Va.-based indoor ski resort firm aims for national chain
Alpine-X developers planning first facility in Lorton, with 20+ to come
Published
Alpine-X LLC, a McLean-based indoor snow sports company, on Tuesday rolled out more details of Fairfax Peak, its $250 million indoor ski resort proposed to be built on parts of the I-95 Landfill Complex in Lorton, as well as its plans to make the resorts national. The public-private project in Fairfax County would be the
Richmond panel recommends $600M Urban One casino proposal
Plan to be introduced Monday to City Council
Published
The city of Richmond’s casino advisory panel has recommended Silver Spring, Maryland-based Urban One Inc.’s $600 million ONE Casino + Resort proposal to move forward for consideration by City Council and citizens, Mayor Levar Stoney’s office announced Thursday. If Council approves the recommendation and voters support it in a November referendum, the resort will be
Smithfield company announces $40M Fort Monroe redevelopment
Plans call for hotel, conference center, revamped marina
Published
Smithfield-based Pack Brothers Hospitality LLC on Wednesday announced plans for a conference center, hotel, 500-seat restaurant and an overhauled 300-slip marina on part of Fort Monroe in Hampton. The company plans to invest $40 million in the redevelopment project and has been granted a 40-year ground lease by the Fort Monroe Authority, the governor’s office
Richmond Region Tourism program incentivizes hotel meetings
Meaningful Meetings will include referral bonuses
Published
After a year of virtual events and canceled conventions, Richmond Region Tourism has launched a program to attract meetings to Virginia’s capital city and surrounding areas in four key economic development sectors. The initiative, called Meaningful Meetings, also offers financial incentives from $250 to $1,000 to people and organizations who successfully refer such events. The
Kings Dominion reopening, with no masks required for vaccinated guests
Hanover County theme park opens May 22
Published
Kings Dominion opens for its 46th summer season Saturday, a year after the COVID-19 pandemic shut the annual tradition down. Although the Hanover County amusement park will require masks worn by anyone who is not vaccinated (if they are age five or older), more than 60 rides, live entertainment and the redesigned water park will