CAPE CHARLES, Va. — Should the Cape Charles Town Council use a portion of proceeds from its $15 million water utility sale to purchase the prominent Meatland building on Randolph Avenue for $3.5 million, a move that could give the town greater control over a key gateway property?
The building, strategically located on one of the main approaches to the historic downtown district, sits on a substantial parcel that many believe could address multiple municipal needs while enhancing the community’s aesthetic appeal.
This property represents the first impression many visitors get of Cape Charles. Having municipal control over this gateway location would allow us to ensure it meets the vision for the town’s character and development.
Strategic Advantages
Urban planning theory notes several benefits to municipal ownership of gateway properties. The Randolph Avenue location offers Cape Charles an opportunity to create a welcoming entrance that reflects the town’s historic charm and coastal character.
The substantial acreage could address the town’s chronic parking challenges, particularly during peak tourist seasons. Municipal parking areas could serve both the immediate commercial district and provide overflow capacity for downtown events and festivals.
Gateway properties are crucial for tourism-dependent communities. They set expectations and can significantly impact visitor experience and local economic development.
Financial Considerations
At $3.5 million, the purchase would represent roughly 23% of the water utility sale proceeds, leaving the majority of funds available for other municipal priorities. The property’s size and prime location could also generate revenue through strategic leasing arrangements or public-private partnerships.
The building’s existing commercial zoning and infrastructure could accommodate various uses that complement the town’s tourism economy while providing municipal office space or community facilities.
Of course, there will be a chorus of negative voices, but in reality, $3.5 million is a legitimate number. What may seem like a folly now, in ten years (as the property value swells), it will seem like a brilliant move.
Development Control Benefits
Municipal ownership would prevent incompatible development that could conflict with Cape Charles’ carefully cultivated image as a historic coastal destination. The town has invested significantly in beautification and historic preservation efforts, making protective control of key properties increasingly valuable.
The property could serve as a model for sustainable development practices, incorporating green infrastructure and design elements that enhance rather than detract from the surrounding area.
Next Steps
The town council has pretty much deep-sixed the Meatland proposal, which is not surprising given the body’s apparent inability to focus on long-term sustainable concepts. A formal feasibility study examining financing options, potential uses, and long-term maintenance costs wouldn’t hurt.
The water utility sale provides Cape Charles with a rare opportunity for strategic property acquisition without impacting current municipal budgets or requiring additional taxation. Not purchasing this property would amount a level of malfeasance not witnessed since the sale of a 1 million dollar property overlooking Central Park to an outside developer for a mere $1.
So it goes.
Sorry you don’t have that right.
Grammatical correction: The “Meatland” property is not only a wasted community resource it’s an eyesore!
Legitimate mount of $3.5 million? WOW! “What seem as a folly now, in ten years it will seem as a brilliant move”.
What a f n joke! This town can’t plan sh!t! If that was the case they would have never sold the high school for ten dollars after they spent $40k to rebuild a wall to sell it!
The old high school would have been a great place for a municipal building. No foresight there!
This town falls way short of any brilliant move.
Perfect example, the bike trail to Rt.13. No plan on how to cross it safety. But yet let’s spend money any way in case someone want to take a bike ride.
Or the master beach plan. Can we just get a toilet that works near the beach? Wait, let’s spend another $100k for a another study on the master beach plan.
Even a drunken sailor knows when to stop drinking. When will the town stop spending money foolishly?