The city could sell the Virginia Beach National Golf Club property to a developer who would revitalize the course and add 659 units of housing under a plan called Princess Anne Landing.
Officials said the plan would result in lower-cost golf for locals and sports tourism benefits while solving maintenance worries and providing housing on about 350 acres.
“I think it’s going to be a real legacy project,” Vice Mayor Rosemary Wilson said Tuesday.
Acting Economic Development Director Emily Archer on Tuesday unveiled a preferred development proposal by the Dragas Companies that would reconfigure some of the 18-hole course with 8 new or modified holes. A 45-acre expansion onto other city-owned land would accommodate relocated holes.
The proposal adds mixed for-sale units, such as townhouses, and a daycare center. Over half of the housing would be priced for people at or below 120% of the local average median income. A rezoning will be needed for housing.
Some council members support the plan; Amelia Ross-Hammond called it a “win-win."
Councilmember Joash Schulman said it was important that the project wouldn’t impact First Tee, a YMCA of South Hampton Road program at the site. Archer said a transfer of the land to the charity discussed earlier this year is pending.
Councilmember Cash Jackson-Green said the project reflects the city’s identity as a tourist destination. He said public input on the proposal comes next.
“Public input is what we’re lacking,” said Councilmember Barbara Henley, who represents the district in which the land is located and raised questions about the impact of housing on services and traffic.
A public hearing is scheduled July 7 and the City Council could vote July 14.
Under the purchase terms, the developer would pay $17.9 million for the land. That would be used to make improvements with another $1.8 million from VBDA and an additional $18.4 million in private investment. The city would cover $4.3 million for turn lanes, streetscape improvements, utilities and sewer extension and the developer and the city would plan for contingencies.
Conditions at the course, including stormwater facilities, have declined, according to the presentation. A 2024 assessment by the development authority found $7.7 million in needed work.
Archer said Tuesday the course is popular and profitable but isn’t generating enough revenue for maintenance. The course is managed by Virginia Beach Golf Club, LLC, under an agreement with the VBDA that expires at the end of this year.
Wednesday morning, Glen Pierce, the PGA director of operations at Virginia Beach National, said the course is successful and making money and said estimates of what maintenance is needed are too high.
“They’re making it look like it’s in disrepair, which is a false narrative,” he said. “It’s frustrating because we’ve been here for 19 years and we’ve done exactly what we were supposed to have done.”
The decision is being driven by housing, he said, and urged members of the public to contact council members.
In February, the city began negotiating with Dragas.
The property couldn’t change without council approval and the city has a 99-year repurchase option if the use of the course use changes. In time, the project could mean $3.4 million in estimated new tax revenues.
The Dragas proposal involves Century Golf Partners, which owns or manages 62 courses, and the firm of Timothy Liddy, a golf course architect who worked for decades with Pete Dye, who designed the original course.
On Tuesday, Helen Dragas, president and CEO of the Dragas Companies, told WHRO the project will keep the course public and affordable.
“It will be restored to Pete Dye’s original vision,” Dragas.
