Nearly 660 housing units, 8 redesigned holes proposed for VB National Golf Course

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — City Council is considering moving forward with a plan that could result in the construction of nearly 660 housing units, a childcare center and the redesign of eight holes at Virginia Beach National Golf Club.

In a presentation Tuesday afternoon, it was revealed the development would be led by the Virginia Beach-based Dragas Companies. They were one of nine groups who responded to the city’s request for proposals last year after the city first floated the possibility of selling the 18-hole course that sits north of municipal center off Princess Anne Road.

Under the terms that have been negotiated between City Council and economic development staff for months in closed session, Dragas would purchase the roughly 270 acre course for $17.9 million from the city, according to a presentation from Emily Archer, the city’s acting director of economic development.

The city will, in turn, give the $17.9 million back to Dragas, along with $1.8 million from the Virginia Beach Development Authority, to go towards an estimated $38 million golf course redevelopment.

Timothy Liddy, identified as a protégé of original course designer Pete Dye, would help relocate eight holes, including two that would go on 45 acres of currently undeveloped land.

On the 40-acres where holes 12, 13 and parts of hole 14 are currently located, Dragas would build 107 townhomes, 168 units of flats, and 192 units of terraces and verandas.

Century Golf Partners, which handles operations at Walt Disney World’s courses, would manage the new 18-holes that would remain public. A new childcare center would be built on nearly two acres of land on Tournament Drive.

Helen Dragas, president and CEO of Dragas Companies, said the plan accomplishes both city housing and tourism goals.

“We’ve always been involved in civic engagement and just looking to better the city,” Dragas said. So … between the golf, the childcare component which I think is another … critically undersupplied need of the community and the housing, it all just seemed to to resonate at the right time.”

A public hearing on the sale of the land is scheduled for July 7, with a vote July 14. A majority of City Council members expressed support for the proposal.

“This is about cost avoidance and complementing the other sports tourism uses for me,” Councilman Joash Schulman said Tuesday.

First Tee Golf Club, which sits on 80 acres abutting the Virginia Beach National property, will not be part of the deal, as the land was gifted to the YMCA earlier this year.