No $ for arena in Gov's proposed budget

RICHMOND, Va. (WAVY) - According to a spokesperson with the governor's office, there is no funding in his proposed budget to help pay for an 18,500-seat arena in Virginia Beach.

The project could still be funded, but Gov. Bob McDonnell's office needs more studies supporting the arena.

The city, along with Comcast-Spectacor, can't pay for the entire project by itself.

McDonnell's 2013 budget will be made public Dec. 17 and a spokesperson released the following statement about the funds:

The Governor has long supported efforts to bring a professional sports franchise to Hampton Roads. However, any state involvement in economic development proposals must make clear and sound financial sense for the Commonwealth’s taxpayers and be economically justifiable. Over the past few days the Virginia Economic Development Partnership received and began to review this recent proposal from Virginia Beach.

VEDP is still analyzing the proposal and studies to determine the feasibility of state support and whether any existing state economic development programs are relevant to the City’s request. Virginia Beach officials were informed this afternoon that the Governor’s budget amendments will not provide resources for this project at this time, as the VEDP analysis is ongoing.

Virginia Beach mayor Will Sessoms asked the state for $150 million to help pay for initial construction costs and relocating costs for an anchor tenant, reported to be the NBA's Sacramento Kings.

The news comes a day after WAVY.com reported Beach officials traveled to Dallas to meet with a contractor.