Fantasy Urban Design Project #2: Create a Beach for NOVA (Alexandria: buy, club)

[Caladium]

OK, this place needs a name. I'd suggest Virginia Beach, but that's already being used!

How about Lovers Beach--then we could have an advertising campaign saying "Virginia is for Lovers...Beach." Or maybe we should just name it Normie's Beach, since she started the thread.

[normie]

Originally Posted by FromVAtoNC

OK, this place needs a name. I'd suggest Virginia Beach, but that's already being used!

How about Lovers Beach--then we could have an advertising campaign saying "Virginia is for Lovers...Beach." Or maybe we should just name it Normie's Beach, since she started the thread.

Normie's Beach? LOL, but then the only customers would be people from city-data. We're going to need a lot more customers than that!

Life's A Beach might be a catchy name. And then you could get free advertising from all the people who wear t-shirts with that slogan.

Of course, the powers that be in Loudoun County might be more likely to approve the project if the name was something like Old Dominion Beach. Or if it was named after a politician. I refuse to name it Harry Byrd Beach, however--the man's already got a highway, and besides if I'm putting on sticky tanning lotion, the last image I want in my head is of a Hairy Bird.

[Caladium]

Originally Posted by normie

Or if it was named after a politician. I refuse to name it Harry Byrd Beach, however--the man's already got a highway, and besides if I'm putting on sticky tanning lotion, the last image I want in my head is of a Hairy Bird.

So you're giving the bird to the thought of naming it after Harry Byrd. I think you're right, though, they'll want it named after a politician. The only problem with that is you end up offending one party or the other. We'd have to name it after some politician who's so popular he appeals to both parties, if there is such a thing. Someone who represents Virginia politics in general.

[540_804]

Originally Posted by FromVAtoNC

Or maybe I have a high tolerance for kitsch--I'm too busy having fun to worry if someone else thinks it's "cheesey." I've noticed the people who sneer that this thing and that thing are too cheesey are also the same people who sneer that there's nothing to do and life is boring. I just write them off as whiners.

Haha, yeah I know exactly what you mean. I guess my main concern with coming across as too kitsch would be all of the HOAs and NIMBYs that would pop up in opposition to it.

Originally Posted by normie

1. Build with top quality materials, and use a lot of natural materials. In other words, real palm trees, not stucco ones. Lots of garden beds and plants--both inside and outside the facility. Avoid stucco and plastic. Make the inside as vibrant and colorful as you wish, but keep the outside simple and plain. (No cartoons painted on the outside of the building, no garish colors).

Funny you mention stucco. When I envision "indoor beach" i immediately think of a giant coral pink stucco building with a tacky giant whale mural on the side. Awful right? LOL

Originally Posted by normie

2. Architectural design should blend with other nearby buildings. If you really want to avoid looking kitschy, try to make it look more like a high quality sports facility.

Yeah, I agree thats a very good point. I think the "high quality sports facility" idea would really work well.

Originally Posted by FromVAtoNC

Good point. That's down in Florida, right? There are already a lot of competing attractions in Florida, what would make yours stand out?

Haha, nope. The place I posted was in SW VA. Not really any competing attractions around for hours.



But..anyway..i love this thread! Hopefully there are several more like this thread and the other one to come!

[normie]

Originally Posted by FromVAtoNC

Someone who represents Virginia politics in general.

If you want to name it after someone who represents Virginia politics in general, then maybe it should be named Artie Fishel Beach.

[Caladium]

Originally Posted by normie

If you want to name it after someone who represents Virginia politics in general, then maybe it should be named Artie Fishel Beach.

ROTFLMAO! Descriptive, catchy... and describes politicians, to boot. But oh my, normie, that is a terrible pun!

[Caladium]

Originally Posted by 540_804

Yeah, I agree thats a very good point. I think the "high quality sports facility" idea would really work well.

It would work well for you, since one of the buildings was previously a skating rink. You already have the sports facility design in place.

Originally Posted by 540_804

Haha, nope. The place I posted was in SW VA. Not really any competing attractions around for hours.

Southwest Virginia? You mean like Roanoke? Hmmmm, might work if it was near one of the colleges. It's a plus that there isn't much competition, but another question is would the local population support it. It might be a good idea to find out why the skating rink failed. Have you tried to get investors yet?

[normie]

Originally Posted by 540_804

Haha, yeah I know exactly what you mean. I guess my main concern with coming across as too kitsch would be all of the HOAs and NIMBYs that would pop up in opposition to it.

The county will probably ask you to make a few concessions and contribute a few major bits of infrastructure such as a road interchange. HOAs aren't really a problem here, but maybe things are different where you live. Most of the ones around here are huge, so, you only have to deal with 1 or 2. NIMBYs come and go, especially when the project is in Eastern Loudoun. The trick is to watch the economy (easier to get a project approved when the a county needs money and you have plenty of it) Also, you need to get a feel for the politicians. If you think you're going to get opposition, just wait until the next election--the parties swing back and forth.

If you're going to start anything in life, you have to expect a lot of opposition. And often, it'll be opposition that doesn't seem to make sense. People have hidden agends, and all that. You have to grow a thick skin and let all that opposition roll off your back. But I like to look on the positive side--all the opposition you'll face ensures you have a thorough business plan.

[normie]

One thing I like about having an artificial beach is NO JELLYFISH! I got stung by one once, and my face went like this: It's not a good experience, let me tell you. Also, no sand flies at an indoor beach. And no stinky sea weed rotting in the sun.

[springfieldva]

You could name it The Loudoun Ocean Park or simply Loudoun Beach.