A public hearing Tuesday about the Virginia Beach National Golf Club property drew citizens who want to prevent or delay the sale of the publicly owned land. Meanwhile, the potential buyers said they’ll improve the course while adding housing and a childcare center.
City Council may vote on July 14 to sell the property.
Last month, city staff outlined a preferred proposal from the Dragas Companies and partners that includes reconfiguring or moving some holes, and adding 659 units of for-sale housing such as townhouses. More than half the housing would be at or below 120% of the area median income, or $129,240 for a family of four, according to the city.
Helen Dragas, president and CEO of the Dragas Companies, on Tuesday told the council their proposal restores the course, addresses needed maintenance and provides housing workers can afford while generating tax dollars.
“Virginia Beach National is a treasured community asset,” Dragas said. “That’s very clear. And yet it has boundless, untapped opportunity to provide much more benefit to local golfers, but also to extend its reach to citizens well beyond the golfing public.”
But opponents are concerned about housing density, cost and changing the course. Robert Valentine, an organizer with Friends of Virginia Beach National, said the city should delay the decision, get more public input and consider proposals that would cover operations of the course only.
“Our goal, I think, has always been let’s slow this down,” he told WHRO. “Let’s make what’s called a strategic pause. Let’s listen to the community.”
Under purchase terms, the developer pays $17.9 million for the land, which would be put toward improvements with another $1.8 million from the city development authority and an additional $18.4 million in private investment. The city would cover $4.3 million for infrastructure. The developer and the city would set aside money for contingencies.
Councilmember Barbara Henley, who represents the area where the course is located, said she doesn’t believe the council is ready to vote next week and it should be delayed. It’s not clear whether there would be enough votes on the council to defer it.
Henley said she wants to see the other proposals for the land.
A supermajority of at least nine votes is required to approve a sale. If approved, closing on the deal might take a year.
City officials on Tuesday made a presentation about how the Dragas Companies and its partners came to be the preferred option after a request for proposal released in 2025 resulted in nine responses.
Dragas in 2024 had submitted an unsolicited proposal for the property, as The Virginian-Pilot reported, and some citizens have circulated records related to discussions online and during a community meeting Monday.
City Attorney Mark Stiles said the city got unsolicited proposals from Dragas and another company following a 2023 audit about conditions and maintenance at the course.
The companies sought public information from the city, he said. Dragas entered into a nondisclosure agreement with the city about its proposal. After being briefed about the unsolicited proposals, council directed staff to seek additional proposals for a possible sale.
“Any party interested in acquiring the golf course could have sought and obtained the exact same information that was provided to the Dragas Companies,” Stiles said.
