Oversight board reports steady progress on Virginia Beach flood-prevention bond as costs climb

Jeff Waller, chairman of the Flood Prevention Bond Referendum Oversight Board, gave the Virginia Beach City Council the board’s second-quarter update, saying the oversight board and staff have advanced multiple projects through design and into construction.

"I'm Jeff Waller, chairman of the flood prevention bond referendum oversight board," Waller said, summarizing recent briefings, a site visit to Bow Creek Stormwater Park, and presentations on integrated stormwater management that tie Windsor Woods, Princess Anne Plaza and the Lakes together.

The update listed projects now under construction or advanced in design, including Bow Creek Stormwater Park (phase one under construction and section two at 100% design), First Colonial Road–Oceana Boulevard drainage work, Elizabeth River floodplain restoration, the Windsor Woods / Princess Anne Plaza / Lakes bundle, and Eastern Shore Drive bundles and roadway work. Waller said the board is inviting council members to attend board meetings in their districts.

Lisha, the staff presenter, walked council members through program milestones and design phases and highlighted changes since the first quarter. "I'm pleased to be here to give you our second quarter update on how the projects are progressing for the flood protection program," she said, noting that Pungo Ferry Road advanced to 60% design, the Point Sienna pump station reached 100% design, and the Eastern Shore Drive bundle and other roadway projects have started construction. She added that construction on the Seatack drainage improvement project is finished, and First Colonial Road–Oceana Boulevard drainage improvements are expected to conclude this month.

On near-term scheduling, staff said Lake Bradford is expected to move from preliminary engineering to 30% design in Q3, Church Point phase 1B to 30% design, and Pungo Ferry Road to 100% design; the Point Sienna pump station will be advertised for construction and early earthwork and portions of the Windsor Woods permanent pump station are slated to begin for the Princess Anne Plaza/Lakes/Windsor Woods mega-bundle.

On funding, Lisha told council master-project expenditures are approaching $200 million and that the city has been awarded $73 million in state and federal grants, with plans to apply for another $44 million. She also said the project estimate increased by $4 million since Q1 because of adjustments to the mega-bundle and Eastern Shore Drive work.

During discussion, a council speaker described the situation as "good news / bad news," praising the work but noting earlier program figures (cited in the meeting as $567 million) have grown; the speaker characterized current program estimates as "around 1.5–1.6 billion" and tied that rise to inflation. Those larger estimate figures were stated in the meeting discussion; the board presentation itself reported the $4 million Q1–Q2 adjustment and nearly $200 million in expenditures to date.

Waller and staff emphasized ongoing public outreach: seven new blog posts since the prior meeting (1,776 total blog views, about a 254 average per blog) and four new videos (bringing the total to 50) that together generated roughly 10,006 views. Waller also introduced student interns and noted the board’s regular public meeting schedule (second Thursday monthly at 2 p.m. in Town Center) and public comment options via the program website and posted email.

The board did not present any motions or seek council votes during the update; staff said they will return with the next quarterly report showing Q3 changes and continued work toward procurement and construction milestones.