CAPE CHARLES, Va. — Town Manager Rick Keuroglian met with members of the Cape Charles Civic League to gather public input on the future of the town’s Railroad and Harbor district, an area slated for a comprehensive master plan by the Berkley Group.
The meeting marked an early step in the planning process, giving residents a chance to share their visions for development before formal public engagement sessions begin. The Berkley Group, which is negotiating with the town to lead the planning effort, will use the feedback to guide future proposals.
Ideas from residents covered a broad range of priorities — from transportation and housing to recreation and design aesthetics. Several attendees emphasized the importance of extending existing north-south streets into the new district to maintain Cape Charles’ traditional walkable grid pattern. Others urged the inclusion of mixed-use blocks combining residential and commercial spaces.
Addressing seasonal parking issues was another major theme. Suggestions included building a multilevel parking deck and creating a transportation hub where visitors could rent golf carts, bikes, and scooters, or board a trolley serving Mason Avenue, Bay Avenue, and Central Park.
Participants also highlighted the need for workforce housing, potentially in the form of multifamily apartments, and even proposed a satellite campus for Eastern Shore Community College to train workers in hospitality, trades, and maritime industries.
Several residents envisioned the district as a vibrant waterfront destination, complete with restaurants, entertainment venues, and public green spaces. Ideas included an entertainment hub with family-friendly dining, comedy clubs, and parks, as well as expanded recreational offerings such as fishing charters, kayak rentals, and sunset cruises.
Community members called for maintaining compatibility with the adjacent Historic District, with height restrictions to preserve water views and architecture that complements the town’s historic character. Other suggestions ranged from hidden residential parking and a grocery store to larger-scale concepts such as a hotel with event space, a senior living facility, and even a Ferris wheel and boardwalk.
Environmental concerns were also raised, with residents emphasizing the need for permeable surfaces, green space, and planning for sea level rise.
“This was an early effort to get the conversation started,” Keuroglian said. “The feedback we received will be shared with the Berkley Group as they begin developing a vision for the area.”
Future public workshops and engagement sessions will be scheduled as the planning process continues.
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Finally some good news. Hopefully Cape Charles can address this continuing problem.
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