Reader Charles McWilliams sent in a few interesting brainstorming ideas about just what to do the defunct Bayshore site. According to Mr. McWilliams, “What would draw tourism, be a uniquely eastern shore attraction, in keeping with the town’s turn of the century feel?”
Here are a few ideas:
An upscale park, replete with a turn back time feel. A freshwater lake with swans, an authentic carousel, a Ferris wheel. Food concessions. Fine dining. A possible short line excursion train, utilizing existing track as before.Layout including ornamental trees, pathways, bridges, gazebos. A multi-generational step back, into a simpler time. Keyed with Cape Charles’s unique eastern shore and railroad heritage.
Even an authentic Mississippi paddlewheel boat, making day and night excursions across the bay, a historical throwback to the steamers of yesteryear.
An entertainment complex; much-needed cinema with IMAX (another first for anywhere on the eastern shore).
And/or a sports entertainment complex.
And/or band shell, stage open-air venue to attract visiting performers.
Was this the REAL REASON Bayshore closed?!!!
Note: There is an entire subplot to this story, involving all the usual suspects. Stay tuned.
Poor management? Skanska, a multi-billion dollar world wide corporation that can’t compete with any company in the Tidewater area! Someone probably other than Skanska might have pulled the plug on it!
Not long ago, Skanska received a sizable check from the Commonwealth of Virginia, to stay in place and to preserve employment. What has happened to those funds, when will they be reimbursed?
I’m a native of Cape Charles and I have family and friends that still live there. In Hampton , VA and all of the surrounding cities during the Summer Months all of the Town Centers uses the business center lawns to have weekend outdoors live entertainment they have music and entertainment for the entire family it’s Friday and Saturday from 5:00pm until 9:00pm . It’s just so much that can be done to bring life to Cape Charles but is your Town Council ready for it. I’ll be more then glad to assist your planning committee in moving forward with great Ideas STEP OUTSIDE OF YOUR BOX AND GIVE LIFE A CHANCE YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE IT’S BEAUTIFUL.
Gwen, sounds like you have a passion for Cape Charles and creativity for moving forward. We would love to hear some of your ideas and have you get involved with the Cape Charles Main Street volunteer efforts in particular the Design Committee! Do you still live on the shore? If you are interested in helping out please send me an email at Tammygholloway@yahoo.com You just never know where that perfect idea comes from!
A crab picking house should fill the bill. Picking crabs will never be automated or outsourced.
The ” Quick Pik ” automated crab picking machine , patented in 1973 in Maryland claims to pick 100 pounds of blue crab per hour .
I suspect improvements have been made since thn .
Tourism, ferris wheel, paddlewheel boat? Are you kidding? The Governor, Northampton County & the Town of Cape Charles should be researching small & medium sized industries to put our young & middle aged residents to work. The Bayshore sight is still an excellent choice for the right industry.
How about just leaving it the hell alone?
The Cambridge Hyatt Resort to the north of here on the Choptank River shows what is possible .
But the timing was bad ( the housing bubble fiasco ) and it went into receivership with the State of Maryland .
It appears to be doing well now . Check it out .
The town needs to use this property for a factory to put some jobs here in Northampton County. Help the people that live here not always catering to the tourist.
Note: Well said.
And just how could the town “use the property for a factory?” The property does not belong to the town.
m-a-a šš