Although Members of Congress are not required to disclose appropriations request information, and most Members choose not to share this information with the public, Congressman Forbes voluntarily disclose the projects that he has requested the Appropriations Committee consider for funding. Each of these projects, their intended recipient, their requestor, their purpose, and the amount of funding requested is listed here by Fiscal Year.
Energy and Water
Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, & Related Agencies
Defense
Homeland Security
Veteran's Affairs/Military Construction
Commerce, Justice, Science
Transportation and Housing and Urban Development
Energy and Water
Project: Chowan River Basin Study
Project Location: Southeastern Virginia and Northeastern North Carolina
Project Requested By: Cities of Frankin, Emporia, Suffolk and Greensville, Southampton, Sussex, and Isle of Wight Counties
Amount Requested: $350,000
Project Description:
For years, individuals and businesses in the Chowan River Basin have struggled with unpredictable and often devastating flooding in their communities. This study will address the factors that are causing this unpredictability and help lay out a plan to reduce the chance of flooding in the future. The study will allow the Army Corps of Engineers to take a critical look at water resources in the Chowan River Basin with an emphasis on flood control, environmental restoration, erosion control, and navigation. The study would also look at reducing future flood damages throughout the basin. The severe flooding potential has heightened from previous flooding brought by Hurricanes Dennis, Floyd, Isabel, and most recently, the devastating floods during October of 2006.
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Project: Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Bridge at Deep Creek
Project Location: Deep Creek, Chesapeake, Virginia
Project Requested By: City of Chesapeake
Amount Requested: $7,608,000
Project Description:
This project would replace an existing 74-year old federal bridge. The bridge is a federally owned and operated facility and assists in navigation. The Deep Creek bridge passes over the Dismal Swamp Canal where U.S. Route 17 crosses in the City of Chesapeake. In October 1996, the approved initial appraisal concluded that the bridge is functionally obsolete because of its narrow roadway and poor alignment with the connecting roads, compounded by increasing traffic volumes. The preliminary plan is to replace the bridge with a five lane, split leaf pit bascule bridge.
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Project: Appomattox River Federal Navigation Dredging Project
Project Location: City of Petersburg basin to the confluence of the James River
Project Requested By: City of Petersburg and Prince George County
Amount Requested: $1,500,000
Project Description:
The Appomattox River Federal Navigation Dredging project involves the operational and maintenance dredging of the Appomattox River from the City of Petersburg basin to the confluence of the James River. The primary purpose of this project is to restore the river channel to a navigable waterway to and from the James River.
This project will provide the City of Petersburg and neighboring jurisdictions the ability to improve commercial use of the river in addition to recreational facilities such as a harbor, pier, park and other amenities that will enhance economic development. The requested funds will allow for the continuation of testing and research by the Corps of Engineers for the promising alternative of disposing the dredge spoils through “land farming.”
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Project: Tyler’s Beach Boat Harbor and Channel/Upland Disposal Site/Dredging
Project Location: Isle of Wight, VA
Project Requested By: County of Isle of Wight
Amount Requested: $1,069,000
Project Description:
This project will fund improvements to the Tyler’s Beach boat harbor and navigation channel, which will positively impact local area residents. The improvements, which include dredging and an upland disposal site, will ensure the economic vitality and stability of the local fisherman who use the navigation channel. Without the improvements, the local fisherman would be in jeopardy of losing access to the James River’s commercial fishing industry.
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Project: Dismal Swamp and Dismal Swamp Canal Feasibility Study
Project Location: Chesapeake, VA
Project Requested By: City of Chesapeake
Amount Requested: $200,000
Project Description:
The remnants of Hurricane Floyd caused significant flooding within the City of Chesapeake and the surrounding region. In 2002, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure passed a resolution authorizing the Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a reconnaissance study of the Great Dismal Swamp Canal in Chesapeake, Virginia. This FY08 funding would allow the Army Corps to continue the feasibility study examining high priority flood control and environmental restoration.
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Project: Chesapeake Flood Control and Stormwater Management
Project Location: Bells Mill Watershed, Chesapeake, Virginia
Project Requested By: City of Chesapeake
Amount Requested: $60,000
Project Description:
This project will address flood control and stormwater management in a highly populated urban center. Funding is provided in the Section 22 program and will initiate and complete a cost-shared flood control and stormwater management project for the highly urbanized Bells Mill watershed in the City of Chesapeake, Virginia.
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Project: Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway - Dismal Swamp Canal
Project Location: The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway is a naturally protected navigation route that generally parallels the Atlantic coast between Norfolk, VA and the Pasquotank River in NC
Project Requested By: City of Chesapeake
Amount Requested: $1,619,000
Project Description:
The Dismal Swamp Canal on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway is a naturally protected navigation route that generally parallels the Atlantic coast between Norfolk, VA and the Pasquotank River in NC. The canal is the oldest operating artificial waterway in the United States. The canal was placed on the National Register of Historical Places and registered as an ASCE Landmark in 1988 and in 2004 it was included in the National Park Service's Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program. The authorized depth of the canal is ten feet; however, the project is currently maintained at six to seven feet. The project also consists of one highway drawbridge and navigation lock at Deep Creek, VA, one highway drawbridge and navigation lock at South Mills, NC and three water control structures. To minimize costs, the two navigation locks and two bascule bridges are operated only four times daily between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
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Project: Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway - Albemarle & Chesapeake Canal
Project Location: The Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal (ACC), on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW), is a naturally protected navigation route that generally parallels the Atlantic Ocean between the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River and the Virginia-North Carolina state line in the North Landing River
Project Requested By: City of Chesapeake, Virginia
Amount Requested: $2,250,000
Project Description:The Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway is a naturally protected navigation route that generally parallels the Atlantic Ocean between the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River and the Virginia-North Carolina state line in the North Landing River, a distance of 27 miles. This project provides for a channel 12 feet deep with widths of 90 feet in land cuts and from 125 to 250 feet in rivers.
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Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
Project: Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center Complex
Project Location: Chesapeake, Virginia
Project Requested By: City of Chesapeake
Amount Requested: $3,000,000
Project Description:
This requested funding would build a Visitor’s Center/educational facility for the Great Dismal Swamp, which will serve as the anchor in the area’s eco-tourism hub. The now 111,203 acre Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge was created by Congress in 1974 and is the largest national wildlife refuge in the northeastern administrative region of the US Fish & Wildlife Service. Its Comprehensive Conservation Plan was completed in July 2006. The Refuge currently averages 50,000 visitors annually without the benefit of a visitor center.
The Refuge represents the northernmost extreme of the range for some species and the southernmost range for others, causing a great diversity of wildlife. Historically important as well, the Refuge was the first refuge in the country to become a designated site on the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom and has provided a rich backdrop for many American literary giants including Henry W. Longfellow and Harriet B. Stowe.
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Project: Museum of African-American History
Project Location: Suffolk, Virginia
Project Requested By: City of Suffolk
Amount Requested: 200,000
Project Description:
The City of Suffolk will use this funding to renovate and restore the former Phoenix Bank of Nansemond located at 341 East Washington Street, Suffolk, Virginia and adjacent property to build a Museum of African-American History.
This 1921 historic landmark was founded by a group of African-American entrepreneurs in 1919 and served the African-American farmers and laborers in Suffolk and surrounding Nansemond County. The bank was a focal point of community life in the Fairgrounds area of downtown Suffolk until it closed in 1931. Because of its cultural and historical significance, the Phoenix Bank of Nansemond was listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. It is also included in Suffolk’s Historic and Cultural Conservation Overlay District and in the Suffolk Historic District on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places. As part of the Fairgrounds Revitalization Plan, the City of Suffolk is planning to adaptively reuse the Phoenix Bank for a museum of African-American History. The museum will interpret the contributions of African-Americans to the city and former Nansemond County. The museum will also contain a building addition to accommodate the space needs of the museum.
In partnership with the Phoenix Bank Task Force and community, the project is currently in the design phase with architectural and engineering design work scheduled to be completed in Spring 2008. A portion of the funding needed to complete the project is contained in the City of Suffolk’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Budget. Additional federal support is needed to bring the project to fruition.
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Project: "Old Jail" Structural Restoration and Historical Interpretation Project
Project Location: Isle of Wight, Virginia
Project Requested By: Isle of Wight County
Amount Requested: $180,000
Project Description:
Built in about 1910, this funding would allow Isle of Wight County to restore the structural soundness and public safety to the Old Jail located on the Courthouse Complex and open for historical interpretation to the public. The Complex also houses the original 1800's courthouse and its associated Tavern.
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Project: Water Tower Expansion
Project Location: Prince George, Virginia
Project Requested By: Prince George County
Amount Requested: $330,000
Project Description:
With the upcoming and inevitable demand for affordable housing in Prince George County resulting from the expansion of Fort Lee, the County is attempting to prepare an adequate utilities infrastructure to meet the increased demand for service. The County Utilities Department has identified an area of the County where several existing subdivisions are currently without fire protection supply and proposed subdivisions do not have a planned water supply. The existing and proposed homes for this area of the County are in the range of affordability for military personnel assigned to Fort Lee. Funding for this project will allow the County to enlarge the water tower needed to serve the proposed development. By enlarging the proposed tower in the Beechwood Manor area of the County, Prince George will save the money necessary to build a second tower to serve existing homes.
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Project: Preserve America Historical Streetscape Enhancement
Project Location: Petersburg, Virginia
Project Requested By: City of Petersburg
Amount Requested: $150,000
Project Description:
The City of Petersburg will use this funding to create a series of interpretative markers within the City’s historic districts, create a series of walking tour brochures for the districts, and install streetscaping elements, including street name signs that indicate the districts. These developments will build on various centers of information previously established in this area. The program enhances the historic architecture and ongoing privately funded rehabilitations of historic properties. Furthermore, the project will bring tourism to the city’s museum system, which is comprised of the Siege Museum, Centre Hill mansion, and Blandford.
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Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, & Related Agencies
Project: Suffolk Employment and Training Initiative
Project Location: Suffolk, Virginia
Project Requested By: City of Suffolk
Amount Requested: $250,000
Project Description:
The Suffolk Employment and Training Initiative will continue and expand a valuable program started by the City of Suffolk that invests in local citizens through workforce development and employment training services. Since the program began, the demand for employment training services has proven to be extremely high with close to 4,000 individuals receiving various levels of services including job training, school programs, General Equivalency Diplomas and employment assistance. This funding will allow the city to continue the program and expand current services with a special emphasis on providing universal access to the regional and state workforce system for low income, minority, women, and youth populations.
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Project: Southside Virginia Workforce Development Center - Phase IB
Project Location: Greensville, Virginia
Project Requested By: Greensville County
Amount Requested: $1,000,000
Project Description:
Greensville County and the surrounding communities face uncertain economic futures because of manufacturing dislocations and generally low educational attainment rates. Although the area enjoys excellent access to interstate transportation routes and other valuable business assets, the area's low educational attainment rates and lack of critical business support infrastructure, like training and conference facilities, negatively impact its ability to expand existing economic activity or attract new business ventures.
The lack of dedicated facilities for the existing workforce training programs has stagnated their potential growth. Greensville County, along with Brunswick County, Sussex County and the City of Emporia have begun to address the low educational attainment rates with the construction of The Southside Virginia Workforce Development Center Phase IA. This facility is an 18,000 square foot facility containing classrooms, a health science lab, a resource center, and an industrial training lab. However, currently the area has no facility that can adequately accommodate conferences, trade shows, or other reasonably large meetings.
This project would fund the Southside Virginia Workforce Development Center Phase IB, an 8,800 square foot multi-use assembly hall designed to provide the training infrastructure necessary to improve the skills of the local workforce and promote and attract commerce-stimulating events. The facility would be able to house 1,700 people in auditorium style seating or 500 in banquet-style seating. The activities held in Phase IB would serve as an economic accelerator for the region. The facility will contribute to economic revitalization of the area by enhancing the usefulness of the Phase IA training facility for businesses and others, thereby increasing utilization and by bringing in conferences, trade shows, job fairs, tourism related events, and social events that the community can not currently accommodate.
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Project: Pilot Project Use of Technology for Targeted Public Health Intervention in regards to Infant Mortality and Chronic Diseases
Project Location: Chesapeake, Virginia
Project Requested By: City of Chesapeake
Amount Requested: $425,000
Project Description:
The City of Chesapeake has experienced a 24% increase in low birth-weight babies over the last nine years, death rates from cardiovascular disease are 6% above the State average and diabetes related deaths are 29% above the State average. This funding would establish a pilot program collaboration between Chesapeake Health Department, the Eastern Virginia Medical School and Old Dominion University that will utilize geographic information systems (GIS) to identify by digitalized mapping intervention locations. Intervention could include treatment and education. Additionally, by employing a public health analyst, intervention strategies will be developed thus utilizing limited public health dollars more efficiently and providing treatment earlier and with better outcomes. The project will serve as a pilot for other collaborations nationally.
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Project: Center for International Diplomacy and Economics, Virginia State University
Project Location: Virginia State University, Petersburg Virginia
Project Requested By: Virginia State University
Amount Requested: $505,534
Project Description:
This project will allow Virginia State University to launch a liberal arts undergraduate program focused on the study of diplomacy and international economics. The University will become the first Historical Black Community College in the United States to establish such a program of excellence. The School of Liberal Arts undergraduate program in diplomacy and international economics will include a two-year core curriculum in multidisciplinary elective courses. The major fields of studies will include diplomacy and international relations, international economics, comparative and regional studies and interdisciplinary programs focused on transition economies and emerging democracies of Central and Eastern Europe and Former USSR, Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.
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Project: Chesterfield County Community Corrections Dual Treatment Track
Project Location: Chesterfield, Virginia
Project Requested By: Chesterfield County
Amount Requested: $356,934
Project Description:
The Dual Treatment Track (DTT) is a pretrial diversion program for non-violent defendants that suffer from both a mental illness and substance abuse addiction. Additional funding would assist in expanding the population to include post adjudication. The program uses “best practices” models to divert individuals from the local jail who are of minimal threat to the community, yet in serious need of both substance abuse and mental health services. Clients that are enrolled are required to participate in intensive drug and alcohol testing in addition to numerous counseling and medical interventions. The DRC model allows for a “one stop shop”, where mental health, case management, substance abuse and criminal justice supervision are combined under one roof with a collaborative multi-agency staff. All participants are required to remain abstinent from alcohol and illicit drugs. If there are violations of this or any other major rule the participants are remanded to jail on a tiered predetermined jail based sanctioning system.
The DTT program provides benefits for everyone involved in the criminal justice and mental health systems. It reduces the burden of specialized care that the jail is forced to provide. It gives the court a new tool in dealing with a population that is traditionally difficult to effectively sentence. This program enhances the quality of life in Chesterfield County by creating more accountability and effective service delivery for the specific population of dually diagnosed individuals who criminally offend. Most importantly, it creates change in the lives of the offenders and their families, as they lead more productive, healthy and responsible lives.
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Project: Mobile Intensive Care Transport Vehicle for Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters
Project Location: Norfolk, Virginia serving Hampton Roads Region
Project Requested By: Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters
Amount Requested: $295,000
Project Description:
The Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters (CHKD) seeks federal funding to support a Mobile Intensive Care Vehicle that transports critically ill children and newborns in emergency and non-emergency situations. CHKD is rapidly approaching the time to replace one of its three vehicles as it is essential that all vehicles be available and in the best condition possible. By having three vehicles, normal maintenance and repair of these specialized vehicles is possible without taking a team “out of service." It also makes it possible for CHKD to pursue the development of a third “non-acute” team which they hope to have available by the end of this year.
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Project: The National Youth Leadership Initiative
Project Location: The University of Virginia
Project Requested By: The University of Virginia
Amount Requested: $1,700,000
Project Description:
The University of Virginia Center for Politics is a non-partisan organization dedicated to increasing civic engagement by providing teaching resources for kindergarten through twelfth grade educators. The Center launched the national Youth Leadership Initiative (YLI) as its signature program in 1998 to increase youth civic engagement, interest and participation in American democracy. Today, more than 30,000 teachers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and scores of American Department of Defense Schools abroad participate in the program. The national YLI engages young people in American government and politics by creating state-specific teaching resources, large-scale civic-participation activities and opportunities for community participation in the political process.
YLI develops interactive civics lessons designed to integrate classroom exercises with community participation and provide teaching resources and student activities throughout the school year. All curriculum materials are specifically linked to each state’s unique social studies content standards and are offered to participating schools free-of-charge. In addition to curricular resources, YLI also coordinates the nation’s largest secure Internet-based mock election, as well as e-Congress. The students’ collective actions simulate virtually every aspect of the legislative process from authoring legislation, to committee action, the amendment process and voting on final passage
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Project: Project Lifesaver - Statewide Demonstration of Rapid Response Initiative to Rescue Missing Individuals with Dementia and other Wanderers
Project Location: Chesapeake, Virginia
Project Requested By: Project Lifesaver
Amount Requested: $350,000
Project Description:
Project Lifesaver International was founded in 1999 by the Chesapeake Sheriff’s Office. It is a non-profit organization that uses radio frequency technology and trained search and rescue teams to locate individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, children and adults with Down Syndrome and Autism, and other wanderers. Project Lifesaver is requesting funding to continue to train and educate public safety officials and caregivers.
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Project: Physician Fellowship Program for the Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters (CHKD) Child Abuse Treatment Center
Project Location: Norfolk, Virginia serving Hampton Roads Region
Project Requested By: Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters
Amount Requested: $300,000
Project Description:
The goal of the project is to establish and sustain a successful fellowship training program in the area of child abuse and neglect. The intention of the program is to develop the Fellow’s competency in the provision of medical services, education and research in the area of child maltreatment. CHKD will establish the Fellow as a provider of medical consultation to local physicians, law enforcement, and social services agencies for both hospitalized patients and children needing outpatient clinical services. The Fellow also will provide forensic and child maltreatment education for physicians, law enforcement, social services, and courts.
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Defense
Project: Cultural and Societal Modeling & Simulation
Project Location: Joint Forces Command, Suffolk, VA
Project Requested By: U.S. Joint Forces Command
Amount Requested: $3.2 million
Project Description:
The funding would be used to integrate political, military, economic, social, and infrastructure modeling capabilities into urban experimentation. This program is listed on the U.S. Joint Forces Command Unfunded Requirements List for fiscal year 2008.
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Project: Joint Urban Fires Prototype
Project Location: Joint Forces Command, Suffolk, VA
Project Requested By: U.S. Joint Forces Command
Amount Requested: $1.5 million
Project Description:
The funding would be used for a solution for third-party targeting of coordinate-seeking weapons and provides improvements in targeting automation in Fiscal Year 2009. This program is on the Joint Forces Command Unfunded Requirements List for fiscal year 2008.
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Project: Global Force Management Visibility Toolkit
Project Location: Joint Forces Command, Suffolk, VA
Project Requested By: U.S. Joint Forces Command
Amount Requested: $2.0 million
Project Description: The funding would be used to improve the Department's ability to see readiness data force levels and available conventional forces in support of improved global force sourcing. This program is on the Joint Forces Command Unfunded Requirements List for Fiscal Year 2008.
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Homeland Security
Project: SCUBA/Water Rescue Team Vehicle and Volunteer Pagers
Project Location: Chesterfield County, VA
Project Requested By: Chesterfield County
Amount Requested: $387,500
Project Description:
This request would assist Chesterfield County to purchase a replacement of a SCUBA/Water Rescue Team Vehicle and 200 pagers to alert volunteers when a rescue or event requires their assistance. The SCUBA/Water Rescue Team is available for regional response and has provided assistance to at least fifteen cities and counties in the central Virginia area.
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Project: Overlay Regional InterOperability Network (ORION)
Project Location: Chesapeake, VA
Project Requested By: Chesapeake, VA
Amount Requested: $21,000,000
Project Description:
This request would serve the entire Norfolk-Virginia Beach-Newport News, Virginia-NC MSA by enabling interoperable mobile and portable radio and data communications around the region among law enforcement, first responders, and other homeland security personnel.
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Veteran's Affairs/Military Construction
Project: Child Development Center
Project Location: Fort Lee, Virginia
Project Requested By: Fort Lee, Virginia
Amount Requested: $6.7 million
Project Description:
The funding would be used for the construction of an addition to the current Child Development Center to include space for 198 children and space for administrative support staff.
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Project: Unit Chapel
Project Location: Fort Lee, Virginia
Project Requested By: Fort Lee, Virginia
Amount Requested: $5.9 million
Project Description:
The funding would be used for worship facilities to support the increasing population of permanent party and stationing soldiers and to replace the Liberty Chapel, a World War II era wooden chapel, which was condemned in 2002 due to safety issues.
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Project: Mortuary Affairs Training Center
Project Location: Fort Lee, Virginia
Project Requested By: Fort Lee, Virginia
Amount Requested: $10.4 million
Project Description:
The funding would be used to train servicemen and women in a completely functional morgue facility capable of supporting the Army Mortuary Affairs School and the homeland defense mission in the Fort Lee area.
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Project: Army Community Services Addition
Project Location: Fort Lee, Virginia
Project Requested By: Fort Lee, Virginia
Amount Requested: $2.45 million
Project Description:
The funding would be used for building a facility to provide additional administrative space, training classrooms, and storage space for Army Community Services.
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Project: Fitness Facilities
Project Location: Fort Lee, Virginia
Project Requested By: Fort Lee, Virginia
Amount Requested: $31.0 million
Project Description:
The funding would be used for construction of fitness facilities for the Army Ordnance School and the Army Transportation School to improve the capacity provided by two currently overcrowded facilities that serve approximately 11,000 service members and dependents.
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Project: 49th Group Storage Facility
Project Location: Fort Lee, Virginia
Project Requested By: Fort Lee, Virginia
Amount Requested: $4.55 million
Project Description:
The funding would be used for the construction of an addition to the current 49th Group Storage Facility, which will provide adequate storage and security of equipment and supplies for the 49th Group Operations.
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Commerce, Justice, Science
Project: In-Car Cameras/Notebook Computers for Police Vehicles
Project Location: Suffolk, Virginia
Project Requested By: City of Suffolk
Amount Requested: $200,000
Project Description:
The City of Suffolk requested funding to equip police department vehicles with mobile data terminals and in-car cameras. These enhanced technological capabilities will enable law enforcement officers to remotely complete required reports and gather information on site or in the field. Officers will utilize mobile data terminals to access prior arrest records, call records, as well as records from state police, allowing officers to check wanted suspects, stolen property or driver status. In-car video cameras will also aid law enforcement by providing a method for obtaining on-road evidence and resolving possible allegations of officer misconduct.
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Project: Mobile Data Terminals for Police Vehicles and DUI Checkpoint
Project Location: Isle of Wight, Virginia
Project Requested By: Isle of Wight County
Amount Requested: $90,730
Project Description:
Isle of Wight County requested funding to purchase mobile data terminals for the Sheriff’s Department. These mobile terminals will give officers the ability to run license plates, connect to state police records, and use mobile computers. This technology will also reduce the load on the 911 dispatch center since deputies will be able to utilize mobile field technology independently. Funds would also be used to purchase two light towers to set up at each end of a DUI Checkpoint. Light towers ensure that deputies who are deployed to nighttime checkpoint sites are illuminated; a necessary safety feature for both the deputies and the motorists who are stopped during these checkpoints.
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Project: Law Enforcement Technology Improvements
Project Location: Chesterfield County, VA
Project Requested By: Chesterfield County
Amount Requested: $1,120,850
Project Description:
The Chesterfield County Police Department requested $1,120,850 to fund several technology procurement projects. These advancements include the installation of pan/tilt/zoom (PTZ) cameras in strategic locations across the county, a Portable Interoperability Radio Bridge System, a Mobile Command Post Auto-tracking Receive System used for tracking GPS signals from cars and airplanes, a computerized driving simulator, forensics fuming chamber, and tactical courtroom security training.
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Project: Automated Citations System
Project Location: City of Chesapeake, VA
Project Requested By: City of Chesapeake
Amount Requested: $732,490
Project Description:
Funds would be used by the City of Chesapeake to purchase an Automated Citations System, which will increase efficiency and accuracy of the citations process. Utilizing available technology, information is retrieved from a driver’s license via either a swipe card mechanism or voice activation. The information is properly formatted on the summons, along with the appropriate charge. A durable handheld printer prints the summons for the violator to sign. The information is then transmitted from the officer’s laptop to the Department’s Records Management System (RMS). From the RMS it is uploaded into the General District Court system.
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Project: Law Enforcement Technology Improvements
Project Location: Prince George County, Virginia
Project Requested By: Prince George County
Amount Requested: $285,000
Project Description:
Funds would be used by Prince George County to purchase 18 mobile data terminals with mounting packages, data access cards and service for the terminals for the County’s Police Department. These mobile data terminals would provide officers with wireless data communications capabilities that allow access to Department of Motor Vehicles data, Virginia Criminal Information Network data, National Crime Information Center data, and Computer Aided Dispatch files. Funds would also be used to purchase a Reverse 911/Community Notification System and a Driver Simulator.
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Project: Gang Deterrence Program Development
Project Location: City of Chesapeake, VA
Project Requested By: City of Chesapeake
Amount Requested: $250,000
Project Description:
The City of Chesapeake is seeking funding for a Gang Coordinator within the Police Department and a community prosecutor program to develop comprehensive prevention, suppression and intervention strategies related to gangs and gang-related crimes. The Chesapeake Police Department estimates in 2006 that there are 26 identified gangs in Chesapeake, with an estimated 2,000 members. This number represents a significant increase from 15 identified gangs with 1,300 estimated members in 2005. The Police Department’s Intelligence Unit has identified numerous major gangs and their affiliates operating throughout all five precincts within the City.
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Project: Gang Crime Technology Initiative
Project Location: City of Petersburg, VA
Project Requested By: City of Petersburg
Amount Requested: $727,000
Project Description:
This project would use new and existing technologies to establish a real time awareness of criminal activities occurring in the City and aid in determining the police response to emerging patterns of crime and disorder, particularly those with gang connections. In the past three years, nationally recognized criminal gangs such as the Bloods, Crips, MS13, and Hell’s Angels have infiltrated and associated with the existing local neighborhood gangs. Funds would be used by the City of Petersburg to develop and implement a fixed Mobile Data System within the City, including 75 Mobile Data Terminals, and associated mounting equipment; Camera Systems with centralized control; and Mobile Field Reporting that will enable law enforcement to collect and process intelligence information in the field as well as provide access to State and federal law enforcement systems.
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Project: Blackwater River Old-Growth Forest Sustainment Project
Project Location: Isle of Wight County, VA
Project Requested By: Isle of Wight County
Amount Requested: $400,000
Project Description:
Funds would be used to secure permanent protection of 500 acres of old-growth cypress/tupelo wetlands and 5.5 continuous miles of frontage along the Blackwater River in Isle of Wight County. The property will be purchased in fee simple by Isle of Wight County. The project has an emphasis on the role of intact wetlands in flood abatement strategies for the Blackwater River. The Hampton Roads Planning District Commission supports this project’s contribution to water quality protection. Others supporters of the project include the Albemarle Pamlico National Estuarine Program, The Nature Conservancy and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.
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Transportation and Housing and Urban Development
Project: Heritage Park Development
Project Location: City of Chesapeake, VA
Project Requested By: City of Chesapeake
Amount Requested: $250,000
Project Description:
The Heritage Park site is a 53 acre tract of land adjacent to Battlefield Boulevard that was purchased by the City of Chesapeake in 1996. The City purchased the land with the intent of creating a district park for its citizens that would incorporate and honor the rural heritage of southern Chesapeake. The park site consists of approximately 62 acres of uplands with the remainder being classified as seasonal wetlands. The City plans to develop park space based on the agricultural and rural heritage of southern Chesapeake. Heritage Park will have a horse ring to be used for rodeo, 4-H activities and shows, three miles of equestrian riding trails and a parking lot for cars and trailers.
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Project: Transportation Improvements at Fort Lee Army Base Access Points
Project Location: Prince George County, VA
Project Requested By: Prince George County
Amount Requested: $2,400,000
Project Description:
County staff and Army personnel at Fort Lee anticipate additional traffic as a direct result of the planned BRAC expansion. The road improvement projects are a direct result of BRAC Commission recommendations. Needed improvements include the addition of turn lanes on Jefferson Park road for traffic traveling north and south on Jefferson Park, turn lanes into Fort Lee from Jefferson Park Road and the addition of a signal at the intersection of Shop Road and Jefferson Park Road.
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Project: Route 10 Widening from Route 1 to Meadowville Road
Project Location: Chesterfield County, VA
Project Requested By: Chesterfield County
Amount Requested: $45,000,000
Project Description:
Funding for this project would be used to widen Route 10 from six lanes to eight lanes from Route 1 to Meadowville Road. Phase I is from I-95 to Ware Bottom Springs Road. The project has been included in the Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (MPO) list of regional priorities. The Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors has identified this project as a top priority. The project is included in the Richmond Region MPO’s Long Range Transportation Plan.
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Project: Gilmerton Bridge
Project Location: City of Chesapeake, VA
Project Requested By: City of Chesapeake
Amount Requested: $10,000,000
Project Description:
The Gilmerton Bridge was constructed in 1938 as a twin bascule (moveable) span structure. It serves as the crossing of the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River for U.S. Route 13/Military Highway. The Gilmerton Bridge is a narrow, four-lane bridge designed to accommodate 15,000 vehicles per day. The existing bridge has exceeded the expected design life and is now functionally obsolete. Due to structural deterioration, weight restrictions for heavy truck and commercial traffic have been imposed. These restrictions also apply to the City’s fire apparatus, resulting in significantly longer response times. The Gilmerton Bridge currently handles approximately 30,000 vehicles per day - twice its design capacity. With the anticipated growth in this area, it is projected that the traffic volume will increase to approximately 41,000 vehicles per day by the year 2021. Funding in FY08 would be used to construct a new four-lane bridge with 12' shoulders that can be converted to additional travel lanes in the future.
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Project: East Suffolk Recreation Center
Project Location: City of Suffolk, VA
Project Requested By: City of Suffolk
Amount Requested: $200,000
Project Description:
The City of Suffolk is seeking funding to transform the former East Suffolk High School complex into a community and recreation center. Once an anchor of the East Suffolk community, the former East Suffolk High School has been abandoned since its closure in the 1970s. Redevelopment of the site is needed to address a lack of recreational opportunities for residents of East Suffolk, particularly youth in need of positive alternatives to gang violence. The project is a major component of both the East Washington Street Initiatives Plan and Suffolk Initiative on Youth (SIY) Youth Crime Prevention Plan. Redevelopment plans include renovation of the old school for a multipurpose learning center with classrooms and game rooms, and auxiliary gymnasium. The City of Suffolk Department of Parks and Recreation will operate the center.
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Project: U.S. Route 17/Dominion Boulevard
Project Location: City of Chesapeake, VA
Project Requested By: City of Chesapeake
Amount Requested: $10,000,000
Project Description:
Dominion Boulevard connects Interstates 64 and 464 with U.S. Route 17 South. This project would replace the existing two-lane drawbridge over the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway with a high rise, fixed span bridge, and would also widen the existing road section to four lanes. The Intermodal Surface Transportation Act of 1991 (ISTEA) provided funding for a feasibility study and designated the roadway a High Priority Corridor. The roadway is also part of the National Highway System and is included in Virginia Department of Transportation Six-Year plan.
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Project: Petersburg Area Transit Multi-Modal Transit Center
Project Location: City of Petersburg, VA
Project Requested By: City of Petersburg
Amount Requested: $750,000
Project Description:
The City of Petersburg is planning to construct a Multi-Modal Transit Center located at the intersection of Washington and Union Streets. The center will provide a hub for multiple transportation needs including intra-city bus service, inter-city bus service, and shared services with Greyhound Lines. In addition, a commuter service for the nearby Amtrak station will be included within the center. FY08 funds would be used to fund the acquisition of right-of-way and construction of a surface parking area. The parking area will facilitate the needs of employees of the transit center in addition to the commuter parking requirements presently needed.
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Project: Chesterfield Aviation Museum/Science Education Center
Project Location: Chesterfield County, VA
Project Requested By: Chesterfield County
Amount Requested: $1,000,000
Project Description:
The Chesterfield County Airport Advisory Board is developing an Aviation Museum/Science Education Center. The facility will be designed to provide hands on science education, directly connected to required SOL skills, to school-aged children from throughout the region. The goal of this project is to help students develop science skills and technical knowledge. FY08 funds would be used in the construction of this facility.
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Project: Great Bridge Battlefield and Waterways Visitor Center
Project Location: City of Chesapeake, VA
Project Requested By: City of Chesapeake
Amount Requested: $2,000,000
Project Description:
FY08 funding would be used to build the visitor center for the Great Bridge Battlefield and Waterways Visitor Center project. The visitor center will help preserve the site of the Battle of Great Bridge, a pivotal moment in Revolutionary War history, located along the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal in Chesapeake, Virginia. Visitors will find permanent and changing exhibits and programs illustrating the historic significance of the battle, the local waterways and bridges and the economic and cultural contributions of this site to the development of Hampton Roads. As it is located on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway in Great Bridge, the center will receive both marine and vehicular traffic, provide resources for historical research, meeting spaces and a 100 seat theater. The park will contain interpretive signage, reconstructions of the historic causeway and will be ideal for events and re-enactments. The Battlefield Park and Visitors Center is the City of Chesapeake’s observance site for the Jamestown 2007 celebration.
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Project: I-295/Meadowville Interchange
Project Location: Chesterfield, VA
Project Requested By: Chesterfield County
Amount Requested: $37,000,000
Project Description:
This project involves constructing an interchange on I-295 at the intersection of Meadowville Road. It has regional significance in that the Route 10/I-295 area is growing into a large industrial hub for the region. The interchange will provide the necessary access to accommodate freight access into and out of the area. The roadway is also included in the Virginia Department of Transportation Six-Year plan.
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Project: Prince George County Community Center
Project Location: Prince George County, VA
Project Requested By: Prince George County
Amount Requested: $500,000
Project Description:
FY08 funds would be used in the construction of a 200-acre community center/recreational complex to serve the unmet recreational and educational needs of the County’s 36,000 citizens. Currently, residents of Prince George County, including the residents of Fort Lee, have limited or no access to recreational facilities and services to be provided by this proposed project. As proposed, the Recreational Complex would include a gymnasium, recreational fields, and an indoor pool. The Community Center would house a 5,000 square foot library facility. This building would also have meeting rooms available for public use, as several community groups and youth organizations currently do not have adequate meeting facilities in the area.
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Project: Harding/Halifax Redevelopment Area
Project Location: City of Petersburg, VA
Project Requested By: City of Petersburg
Amount Requested: $500,000
Project Description:
The designated redevelopment area, which lies directly across Halifax Street from Peabody Middle School, has long been blighted, suffering from a very high concentration of poverty and incidence of crime. FY08 funds would be used to continue property acquisition, demolition, and rehabilitation. In addition to construction, these funds would also be used for planning, design, and re-platting. The intended results are 1) the elimination of the blighting influences in this area and the spillover impacts of the same on the neighborhoods surrounding it; 2) the elimination of the adverse effects of the area on Peabody Middle School; 3) a substantial reduction in crime; 4) an increased level of economically mixed residents and home-ownership in the area; and 5) an increased sense of pride and stability in the neighborhood as a whole.
Funds would be used to secure permanent protection of 500 acres of old-growth cypress/tupelo wetlands and 5.5 continuous miles of frontage along the Blackwater River in Isle of Wight County. The property will be purchased in fee simple by Isle of Wight County. The project has an emphasis on the role of intact wetlands in flood abatement strategies for the Blackwater River. The Hampton Roads Planning District Commission supports this project’s contribution to water quality protection. Others supporters of the project include the Albemarle Pamlico National Estuarine Program, The Nature Conservancy and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.Heritage Park Development City of Chesapeake, VA City of Chesapeake $250,000The Heritage Park site is a 53 acre tract of land adjacent to Battlefield Boulevard that was purchased by the City of Chesapeake in 1996. The City purchased the land with the intent of creating a district park for its citizens that would incorporate and honor the rural heritage of southern Chesapeake. The park site consists of approximately 62 acres of uplands with the remainder being classified as seasonal wetlands. The City plans to develop park space based on the agricultural and rural heritage of southern Chesapeake. Heritage Park will have a horse ring to be used for rodeo, 4-H activities and shows, three miles of equestrian riding trails and a parking lot for cars and trailers.
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