12 The Hampton Roads Messenger
Volume 3 Number 10
July 2009
Around Hampton Roads
City Manager Appoints Development
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the City of Hampton to
secure the project for Virginia. Governor Kaine approved a $500,000 performance-based
and Permits Director
grant from the Virginia Investment Partnership (VIP) program, an incentive available
to existing Virginia companies. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will
provide training assistance through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.
CHESAPEAKE– City Manager William Harrell has
announced the appointment of Jay Tate, P.E., as
“We look forward to continuing a long relationship with such a valued employer,” said
the first Director of the Chesapeake Department
Hampton Mayor Molly Joseph Ward. “The City of Hampton is delighted Alcoa Howmet
of Development and Permits, effective today. Tate
will continue its success and expanded presence in our city.”
has served as the Interim Director since February,
following the reorganization of the Department of
www.governor.virginia.gov
Neighborhood Services.
A formal announcement of this appointment
Norfolk City Council Adopts Derelict
will be made by Harrell at the July 10 Economic
Development Advisory Committee meeting. Buildings Ordinance
That meeting is being held at Gold’s Gym, 4628
Portsmouth Blvd., in Western Branch at 8:00 a.m.
Norfolk –City Council has adopted an ordinance to address derelict structures by
In addition to the business community, Mayor Alan
enlisting the cooperation of property owners to demolish or renovate buildings within a
Krasnoff and other members of the City Council are
specific period of time, rather than forcing the City to use existing “nuisance property”
anticipated to attend.
authority to abate the situation.
“Jay has excelled in the Interim capacity and clearly
The ordinance follows action by the General Assembly to give localities a new tool to
possesses the technical skills and creativity needed
deal with the derelict structures that negatively impact neighborhoods. The changes
to effectively lead this department,” said Harrell.
were supported by the Virginia Housing Commission.
Tate will oversee a variety of development and land
A major component of the ordinance requires owners to register derelict buildings and
use services, manage the department’s budget
submit a plan rectifying the situation. The ordinance streamlines existing city incentives
and supervise the administration of each division in the department. The department
for renovating and demolishing structures and will have a major impact on Norfolk as
employs more than 80 employees in four divisions and has an annual operating budget
the City addresses quality of life issues in many of its neighborhoods.
of $6.4 million. Tate’s salary will be $119,000 per year.
Under the ordinance, a “derelict structure” is defined as a residential or nonresidential
Before his appointment to Interim Director, Tate served as the Development Manager
building – completed or under construction, which:
for the Department of Public Works since September 2008. He was instrumental
in the initiative to streamline the development review process, which led to the
Might endanger the public’s health, safety or welfare;
reorganization.
Has, for a continuous period of six months:
Under Tate’s guidance, the newly configured department implemented several
significant changes, including planning meetings for all new projects. City reviewers
Been vacant
work face-to-face with applicants to resolve any project issues after the first review.
Boarded up
The City also implemented new processes for utility acceptance, construction record
drawings and tenant build out permits. These new processes reduced time to secure
Not lawfully connected to electric service from a utility service provider or not
approval while making the City function more efficiently.
lawfully connected to any water or sewer service from a utility service provider.
Tate worked in the Public Works Department since 1986, previously serving as Assistant
Under the ordinance, the owners of buildings declared derelict are required to develop
City Engineer, Construction Manager and Civil Engineer. Prior to joining Chesapeake,
a plan within 90 days, to either renovate or demolish the structure. Owners will be
Tate was an Engineering Technician for the Norfolk Naval Station Public Works.
notified if their property is declared derelict:
He obtained a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering Technology from Old Dominion
by certified mail, or
University in 1985. He is a registered professional engineer in Virginia.
If the only address on record is the property, by a notice posted on the
For more information, contact the Public Communications Department at 382-6241.
property
www.chesapeake.va.us
Under the ordinance, workplans for derelict buildings will be submitted to the Director
of Neighborhood Preservation for scheduling and approval. The plan may include one
Governor Kaine Announces Alcoa
or more adjacent properties held by the same owner.
Howmet Expansion in Hampton
Once a plan is approved, the plan, including the schedule for commencement and
completion of the work, is binding on the property owner. In an effort to encourage
owners to take action, the ordinance provides the following incentives:
Company to invest up to $25 million
Renovation:
Richmond, VA - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Alcoa will invest up
to $25 million to increase capacity and production of investment castings for industrial
Refund of 50 percent of the building permit fees upon submittal of proof of
gas turbines at its Hampton operations.
renovation within the prescribed time period
“Alcoa Howmet has been a steadfast contributor and strong corporate citizen in
At the request of the property owner, the real estate assessor to assess the
Hampton since it opened in 1974,” Governor Kaine said. “This expansion reflects Alcoa
derelict building before and after renovation. The real estate tax in an amount equal
Howmet’s continued commitment to its workforce and the City of Hampton, and I am
to the increase in the fair market value of the renovations shall be abated for 14 years
delighted the company’s long-term, positive experience in Virginia led to an expansion
and is transferable with the property
of this magnitude.”
Demolition
Alcoa Howmet is a division of Alcoa Power and Propulsion, a major business unit
of Alcoa Inc. (NYSE: AA). Alcoa Power and Propulsion is a global leader in airfoil
The demolition permit fees refunded upon submittal of proof of demolition
and structural investment castings. Serving the aerospace, defense, energy and
within the prescribed time period
industrial markets, its products are primarily used in jet engines and industrial gas
turbines. Additional value-added products and services include hot isostatic pressing,
At request of the property owner following demolition, the real estate assessor
specialty coatings, research and development, supply chain management, specialty
shall reflect a reduction in assessment.
tools, molds, and machinery. With 27 production facilities, Alcoa Power and Propulsion
Failure to submit a plan within the allotted time, or failure to comply with the contents
employs more than 10,000 people worldwide.
of a work plan or schedule for commencement and completion, shall constitute a class
Alcoa is the world leader in the production and management of primary and fabricated
2 misdemeanor.
aluminum, and alumina combined, through its active and growing participation in all
The tax abatement program is not available for any property that is a registered
major aspects of the industry. Alcoa serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging,
Virginia landmark or is determined by the Virginia Department of Historic resources to
building and construction, commercial transportation, and industrial markets, bringing
contribute to the significance of a registered historic district.
design, engineering, production, and other capabilities of Alcoa’s businesses to
customers. In addition to aluminum products and components including flat-rolled Nothing in the new ordinance would prohibit the City from using its authority under
products, hard alloy extrusions, and forgings, Alcoa also markets Alcoa wheels®, existing laws to make repairs, secure the derelict building, demolish the structure or
fastening systems, precision and investment castings, and building systems. The otherwise abate the nuisance.
company has been named one of the top most sustainable corporations in the world
at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, and has been a member of the
The City’s goal is to prevent properties from getting to this point; however, once they
Dow Jones Sustainability Index for seven consecutive years.
do, this ordinance will help the city address the issue in a timely manner.
“We sincerely appreciate the business-friendly environment provided by the
For more information about this ordinance call the Department of Neighborhood
Commonwealth of Virginia and the City of Hampton, as well as the state’s participation
Preservation at 664-6500.
and support in this effort,” said Bob Baker, Plant Manager, Alcoa Howmet, Hampton
facility.
www.norfolk.gov
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