Cape Charles Continues Due Diligence on Potential Acquisition of Former Canonie Atlantic Railyard

CAPE CHARLES, Va. — The Town of Cape Charles is continuing to explore the potential acquisition of the former Canonie Atlantic railyard, a move that could give the Town greater control over the future development of a significant property connecting key areas of the community.

No final decision to purchase the property has been made. Town officials are currently conducting research and due diligence intended to determine whether an acquisition would be financially feasible and in Cape Charles’ long-term strategic interest.

That review includes examining property appraisals, boundaries and possible exclusions from a potential acquisition, along with title and lien issues. Environmental disclosures and questions surrounding responsibility for any necessary remediation are also being investigated.

The findings will ultimately help the Cape Charles Town Council determine whether acquiring the former railyard represents an appropriate investment for the community.

The Town’s interest extends beyond simply owning the property. Acquisition could provide Cape Charles with considerably more influence over how and when the former industrial property is eventually developed.

Among the Town’s stated objectives is maintaining greater control over the pace and appropriate phasing of future development while completing a Master Plan for the property. Recommendations from that planning process could then be incorporated into future zoning and development decisions.

Parking is another significant consideration.

Town ownership could provide an opportunity to permanently secure public parking as well as harbor-related parking, including spaces for vehicles with boat trailers. Parking availability has become an increasingly important issue as Cape Charles has grown as both a residential community and visitor destination.

The property could also play a role in reconnecting portions of the Town’s existing street and pedestrian network.

Cape Charles is examining opportunities to ensure appropriate street connections and extensions from the Historic District while creating pedestrian connections and open space extending from Strawberry Plaza through the former railyard.

Perhaps one of the most significant long-range possibilities is the creation of a public waterfront connection between the harbor and the beachfront, potentially providing a new pedestrian link between two of Cape Charles’ most heavily used waterfront areas.

The Town also wants to preserve areas within the property for public gatherings, community events and concerts.

Taken together, the objectives indicate that Cape Charles is looking at the former railyard not simply as a redevelopment parcel, but as a potentially important piece of the Town’s future transportation, recreation, waterfront access and public-space network.

For now, however, the process remains in the evaluation stage. Appraisals, environmental responsibilities, property restrictions and other financial and legal considerations will have to be weighed against those potential public benefits before the Town Council decides whether Cape Charles should move forward with an acquisition.

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Wayne Creed

Administrator

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