CAPE CHARLES, VA – The Town Council is set to review a contract amendment worth $92,856.50 to update construction plans for a new Municipal Building after selecting a different site location. The contract will be discussed at the next Town Council Regular Meeting on July 17th.
The amendment with architectural firm HBA would modify plans originally designed for Town-owned property on Cassatt Parkway to accommodate seven Town-owned parcels at the northeast corner of Fig Street and Randolph Avenue, which Council selected during a May 27, 2025 work session.
The project began in September 2021 when Council authorized HBA to conduct Phase 1 architectural services, including condition assessments of the Municipal Building, Civic Center and Library Building. After reviewing alternatives, Council approved Phase 2 services to design the new Municipal Building and renovate the Library Building, with plans to dispose of the existing Municipal Building and Civic Center.
The scope later expanded to include a Visitors Center with public restrooms on leased property near Mason Avenue.
However, the project has faced significant challenges. Library renovation bids came in higher than expected, and a basement flood required costly oil-fired furnace replacement. The Library work was ultimately transferred to a separate redevelopment project managed by a private developer.
The Visitors Center component also encountered obstacles. The Town received only one bid, which was deemed excessively high, and subsequent efforts to reduce costs with other contractors were unsuccessful. Council is now considering leasing and converting the building at 11 Peach Street into a Visitors Center, with a lease proposal expected soon.
Given these experiences and current construction market conditions, the Municipal Building has not yet been put out for bids.
The proposed contract amendment would primarily fund preparation of a new site plan by HBA’s civil engineering subconsultant and updates to comply with new building codes. The FY 2026 capital projects budget includes sufficient funding for the amendment.
Town staff recommends Council approval of the contract modification to proceed with updating the Municipal Building construction plans.
About the Author
Q1) who is getting paid?
Q2) how are they related to the Mayor or anyone on Town Council?
Q3) is expenditure necessary?
Q4) would an ordinary tax paying citizen of Cape Charles agree that we should spend this $?
Pete, you seem deeply invested—though mostly in hearing yourself talk. Imagine using that energy for something actually productive: showing up to civic meetings, speaking with Town Council members, and participating in the process like the rest of us. I’ve attended nearly all of these meetings, and from that vantage point, your questions don’t seem inquisitive—they come off as arrogant, self-righteous, and entirely detached from the work being done by people who actually show up.
Its not hard to figure out who I am . You can find me speaking on several Town Council meeting tapes. Yet you hide behind an anonymous alias? why dont any of you Town Council people have the stones to face reality – you can’t handle this job. either that or you are being controlled by someone.
FAILURES! FAILURES!
Calling someone out for not identifying themselves, while you remain behind a veil?…that’s pretty rich…and accusing me as being a “front” for a town official?… you need to get on your meds
hosting children’s events on condemned properties, committing to bike trail maintenance without budgeting for the work, receipt after receipt for consultants, bickering and thefts from within Town Hall – what other successes are you responsible for Amy?
I don’t know how the visitor center would improve the quality of life for residents that live here. I don’t own an STR but I would imagine people that do provide brochures and information on what there is to do in the area. And if you’re from the shore, you are already informed. As you travel north on the CBBT there is a visitor center right there on the right where people can stop and gather information which is already in place and then there’s always the internet.How can the town keep up with more and more capital improvements (including What is called the Beach improvement plan) when we can’t keep up with what we have already?!?