Beach leaders weigh light rail vote

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va - A closing deadline to purchase Norfolk Southern's railway in Virginia Beach leaves elected leaders in the driver's seat on the future of light rail in the city.

Council members want to own the right of way in a 10.5 mile stretch from Newtown to Birdneck Roads for the city's transportation future.

Councilwoman Barbara Henley told WAVY.com, "If it was sold to some other uses, re-acquiring it would be very expensive and much more difficult. This way, we'll own it."

Owning it has been a desire for more than a decade. Now the money is available, but some council members are torn about whether or not to move forward.

"I really think we should purchase the right of way," Councilman Bob Dyer said. "But I am very concerned about it with the strings that are attached to it. It's something I'm going to have to sleep on."

The price tag is $40 mllion. The city has $10 million in escrow. Virginia, through the Commonwealth Transportation Opportunity Fund, is prepared to pay $20 million. However, the grant comes with conditions.

Among the "strings" council members refer to, the City must:
- Buy the rail corridor.
- Refrain from anything that would prevent the expansion of Norfolk Light Rail.
- Use "Best Efforts" to pursue light rail.

If city leaders agree to those terms, and later make a permanent decision against light rail, Virginia Beach would have to repay the $20 million. During a work session Tuesday, council members discussed a desire to see what an Environmental Impact Study reveals. They also brought up the possibility of using the rails for a rapid bus system.

Dyer said he is reluctant to pledge support for light rail in Virginia Beach right now. "Voters should have input in this decision. Unfortunately the timing has thrown everything off. I think we cannot give the impression that light rail is a done deal," he said. "This has to be weighed out. There's going to be a major impact in quality of life, in way of life in Virginia Beach. Chances are transportation is going to be very costly and given the major impact on individual's wallet and lifestyle, you better believe I think the public should have input on this."

There is not time at this stage for the referendum on light rail many council members want. Dyer, Councilman Bill DeSteph, and Vice Mayor Louis Jones told WAVY.com Tuesday night they would support a referendum on light rail before any final decisions are made.

Right now, the clock is ticking on purchasing the existing rails. The process started in March of 2009. Norfolk Southern wants to close the deal by the end of the month.

Deputy City Attorney Rebecca Kubin explained, "They have given us two extensions and we're on their good graces at this point. And it's important for them to realize the proceeds from the sale."

During the work session on the sale, Mayor William Sessoms said, "This is the deal that's brought to us and I think it's the best we can bring to council, and I hope the council will support it next week."

The council is scheduled to vote at its meeting Tuesday, September 14.

Council members will also decide if they will buy Norfolk Southern's utility lease agreement.

The purchase adds an immediate $5 million to the cost, but would give the city more than $97,000 in income each year.

The Hampton Roads Transit Commission, which is providing $5 million toward the down payment will finalize its end of the agreement on September 23. HRT is expected to pay Norfolk Southern $1 million a year for five years.