No Mention of Hotel Cape Charles on Historic Board Agenda
Hotel Cape Charles developer David Gammino pled his case at September’s Historic District Review Board meeting. Clockwise from left: Gammino, Town Planner Tom Bonadeo, Board members Jan Neville, Russ Dunton (chair), Bob Sellers. (Wave photo)
By GEORGE SOUTHERN
Cape Charles Wave
October 16, 2012
“Back to the Drawing Board for Hotel Cape Charles,” read the Wave’s headline for September 19. The story reported hotel developer David Gammino’s efforts to persuade the Cape Charles Historic District Review Board to approve already completed renovations and allow the hotel to receive a permanent occupancy permit.
With over 1,000 reads to date, the story is the most popular in the Wave’s short history.
In a nutshell, Gammino pled guilty to changing the hotel design after the Board approved his earlier plan. He had originally planned to spend $500,000 renovating the old hotel, but later decided the result would be nothing special. Only a unique property would make the hotel a “destination,” Gammino told the Board in September.
And so he ended up spending nearly three times as much to create a building that has received rave reviews in the Washington Post and USA Today. Now, the hotel needs $30,000 monthly revenue to survive.
Board chairman Russ Dunton told Gammino that adding wrought iron railings to the hotel balcony’s glass walls would help the hotel blend in with the rest of Mason Avenue.
Gammino responded that he could not convince his partner to replace $60,000 worth of glass with wrought iron to create an “illusion” that the hotel was historic.
Gammino noted that when he bought the hotel it had vinyl windows and plastic doors — all grandfathered in and requiring no approval from the Board. [Read more…]
TOWN COUNCIL: Meal Tax Receipts Are Shot in Arm
By DORIE SOUTHERN
Cape Charles Wave
October 15, 2012
Meal tax receipts in Cape Charles increased by 35 percent in the past three-month period compared to a year earlier, generating an extra $22,000 for Town coffers.
Total meal tax revenue for the July-September first fiscal quarter was nearly $86,000. The same period last year drew less than $64,000.
Although Town Treasurer Kim Coates didn’t provide Town Council a reason for the big jump in tax proceeds, Council members should be able to figure it out. Following Council meetings they have been seen congregating at The Shanty, Cape Charles’ newest restaurant.
Treasurer Coats announced at the October 11 meeting that property tax bills would be mailed out soon. Property tax is due the first week of December.
TRAFFIC STUDY
In other Town Council business, Vice Mayor Chris Bannon was the only member voting against a resolution to request VDOT studies for peak season and off season traffic flow through the intersection of Randolph Avenue and Fig Street. “It’s a waste of time and money, and we could end up with a traffic circle,” Bannon said.
Councilman Frank Wendell expressed concern that kids, bikes, electric wheel chairs, and golf carts all had to navigate the intersection without aid of a stop sign.
Mayor Dora Sullivan was worried about the new fence at New Roots Youth Garden, which she said blocks people’s line of sight while crossing Randolph on Fig. [Read more…]
Bay Creek Shops Foreclosed, Shutting Down; Aqua Remains
“End of Season Sale” reads the flier in The Shops at Bay Creek. But it’s also the end of the line — the Shops are closing permanently next Saturday. (Wave photo)
By DORIE SOUTHERN
Cape Charles Wave
October 14, 2012
The Shops at Bay Creek, comprising four stores in the building located between Bay Creek Marina and Aqua Restaurant, are closing at the end of this week, victims of a bank foreclosure.
The Shops, Aqua, and the Marina are three separate business entities, and only the Shops are being foreclosed.
The Shops include:
— Bahama Breeze clothing store for men and women;
— Veranda arts and novelties;
— Purple Pelican gifts and wine; and
— Seaside Gallery, featuring paintings and prints by local artist Thelma Peterson.
The Shops will be open through Saturday, October 20. Employees who spoke to the Wave said they had no idea when or if any of the businesses might reopen under new management.
Most merchandise is on sale at 75 percent off. [Read more…]
SATURDAY 10/13: Music Festival Benefits Nassawadox Custis Ballfields
Eastern Shore native Larry Giddens, Jr., will host the opening ceremony and emcee the second annual Barbara Custis Music Festival Saturday, October 13, at the Randy Custis Memorial Ballfields in Nassawadox.
Beginning at noon and continuing until 6 p.m., the musical slate includes husband and wife duo Off the Cuff and local singers Lynette Lecato and Sandy Carmine. Also appearing are Dean and the Country Travelers, The Hurdle Brothers, The Dennis Chorale Singers, The Gospel Travelers, New Heavenly Wings Over Jordan, and The Harmonizing Echoes. [Read more…]
MONDAY 10/15: Diana Davis Watercolor Classes Begin at Arts Enter
Arts Enter Cape Charles announces “Watercolor with Diana M. Davis.” Class will meet on October 15 from 10 a.m.-12 noon, for 4 consecutive Mondays through November 5.
Experienced artists as well as beginners are welcome. The fee is $150; call 757-331-2787 for registration.
Students will learn composition,watercolor,and basic techniques exploring fall subjects. All students can expect to finish original paintings. [Read more…]
Cape Charles Food Pantry Needs 120 Turkeys for Thanksgiving
The Cape Charles Food Pantry needs 120 turkeys to distribute to returning clients on Wednesday, November 14 . [Read more…]
THURSDAY 10/18: Thelma Peterson Watercolor Classes Begin
Beloved for evoking the essence of the Eastern Shore through her paintings, Thelma J. Peterson is bringing her two decades of skills to Eastern Shore’s Own Art Center with both a beginning and intermediate Watercolor Class. [Read more…]
WEDNESDAY 10/24: Eastern Shore Wastewater Public Workshop
The Eastern Shore of Virginia Ground Water Committee invites the public to the next workshop in the Committee’s Public Workshop Series entitled “Wastewater Treatment on the Shore Part II: Rapid Infiltration Basin System Technology.” [Read more…]
