CAPE CHARLES, Va. — Cape Charles Main Street is advancing a $75,000 project to revitalize the Strawberry Street Plaza, funded by a taxpayer-supported grant from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).
As part of the initial phase, four picnic tables have been installed in the plaza, with four umbrellas expected to be added in the coming weeks. A large portion of the project’s budget—$43,000—has been allocated to the purchase of these umbrellas, which are described as “hurricane-rated.” The high cost is attributed to a requirement from the Cape Charles Town Manager to ensure durability against severe weather conditions.
The enhancements are designed to improve the public space for both residents and visitors, according to Cape Charles Main Street. In addition to the plaza upgrades, the initiative includes repainting the town’s historic train, a project costing $22,000. The gold lettering to appear on the side of the train will be provided by Eastern Shore Signs, a business owned by Councilman Chris Buchholz.
The revitalization efforts are part of a broader push to preserve and enhance public spaces in the town as it continues to grow in popularity as a tourist destination.
CCM: A large portion of the project’s budget—$43,000—has been allocated to the purchase of these umbrellas, which are described as “hurricane-rated.”
The high cost is attributed to a requirement from the Cape Charles Town Manager to ensure durability against severe weather conditions.
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It’s good to know that if I am eating a hot dog sitting at a picnic table in Strawberry Street Plaza in Cape Charles during a hurricane that the umbrella over my head isn’t going to get blown away!
What a mental and spiritual comfort that is to know that the Cape Charles Town Manager loves us so much that he wants us to be able to eat a hot dog in peace at a picnic table in Strawberry Street Plaza in Cape Charles during a hurricane without getting all freaked out wondering if at any second, the umbrella over our heads isn’t going to get shredded or blown away, leaving us exposed to the elements.
But my goodness – $43,000?
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Wonder where that money is going to go.
EXACTLY!!! I was wondering the same thing……
The town manager is out of control!
All this spending has got to stop! Just because there is a grant does not mean it’s needed for Cape Charles.
The master beach plan I thought was nice. Until I started reading more about the plan to take homeowners front yard, the truck food court and added jettes.
This town is no longer a quaint beach town. It has definitely lost that hometown feeling.
The town manager caters to the town’s business owners and every whim from the tourist.
Somebody has got to pay the bills. Cape Charles has become a place for the rich and famous.
What’s next? Pharrell Williams wave water park? Hey how about beach concerts?
This town is delusional!
NOTHING TO SAY
NO, YOU HAVE NOTHING TO SAY!
I rode out a coupla’ hurricanes whilst living aboard my 36′ boat a few years ago.
I learned that being prepared is the best plan. So-
I always bring in the umbrelas Prior to the storm.
My guess is that this is just so that Cape Charles will now be able to claim to be Hurricane Proof to the tourist.
I think they are just looking out for our health and well-being so that somebody wandering around sight-seeing during a hurricane doesn’t get hit in the head by a flying umbrella from Strawberry Street Plaza in Cape Charles.
Also gives one a safe place to sit and enjoy an ice cream cone during a hurricane without having to worry about getting rained on.