THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 23, 1996 TAG: 9608230604
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 130 lines
This letter is in response to two letters (Aug. 18 Beacon), under the title ``Fire raises many questions about building.'' Well, as the developer, we would be glad to answer those questions, not that anyone has bothered to call and ask us, or the contractor of the building.
As developers, we have developed successful, safe, affordable housing for seniors since 1993, which ironically is our goal. We can tell you that the Sunstates House was being built with extremely adequate fire safety features as well as other safety features.
Such as:
100 percent fire sprinkler system - directly linked to call the fire department.
Fire alarm - directly linked to call the fire department when activated.
Smoke detectors in each unit - directly linked to call the fire department when activated.
Fire walls - every unit in the building was separated by a one-hour U.L. design fire wall. In addition, every floor and ceiling had a one-hour fire wall. Four two-hour fire walls separated the sections in each building. The garage ceiling had a two-hour ceiling.
Fire doors - fusible link overhead doors in the garage. Fire alarm will release the doors in the section activated.
Medical alert systems in each unit - directly linked to call the paramedics.
Electric door entry system - residents and security can control who enters the building.
All of these safety features, plans, use permits, etc., have been approved by the City of Virginia Beach prior to a building permit being issued and each phase of construction has been and must be approved and inspected by the City of Virginia Beach in accordance with strict BOCA building codes.
What people have to realize is that this building was under construction, and while surrounding residents are certainly entitled to their opinion of the appearance of our building, we would however, appreciate them allowing us to finish the project before they grossly exaggerate its likeness to a ``holding pen.'' More importantly, being under construction means that none of these safety features were 100 percent complete or operable. The construction phase of a project is its most vulnerable phase, especially when someone sets it on fire. To speculate as to who set this fire and why would not be proper. Just as it is not proper for our development to be judged as unsafe prior to all of the facts being in and all of the questions being asked to those qualified to answer them.
Finally, we are surprised and disturbed that the public, the press and the City Council have not given our organization or the contractor a chance to be heard regarding these libelous accusations. On Aug. 9, we put out a press release to The Virginian-Pilot and all of the local news stations. It was ignored. If anyone took a moment to research our organization, they would have found that we have an excellent reputation for providing some of the best affordable and safe housing for low to moderate income seniors in the area.
Richard B. Barrick
Sunstates House, L.P.
Managing General Partner
Portsmouth
Aug. 19 City needs to get over its beef with Brew Thru
I just read the article in the Aug. 18 Beacon about the drive-through issue. I think this is the most ridiculous issue that Virginia Beach needs to deal with. Doesn't City Council have any other thing to do?
Just because Maryanne Nixon's group unsuccessfully lost to Brew Thru she is still trying. These civic people need to get a life. Let it survive in Virginia Beach. The T-shirts are great and provide free advertising for Virginia Beach, and we really need that. This business is helping in more ways than one.
I've been by there many times and I have never seen a traffic jam. City Council needs to deal with more important issues like crime, roads and our schools. Leave the drive-throughs alone and get to more important issues on hand.
Beth Gross
Aug. 19 Cypress Point belongs in a class by itself
The Aug. 4 Beacon article titled ``Going for the Greens'' was very englightening on two counts. First of all, it shows the need for golf course development in the area.
Secondly, how could you associate Cypress Point C.C. with the upgrading of Bow Creek, Kempsville and Redwing for largely local duffers? Cypress Point C.C. is by far the best golf course in the area. How can you allow a writer to publish such a statement without even knowing the difference between the golf facilities?
Please, we would like some recognition for the misrepresentation of our golf course.
We can't begin to tell you how many phone calls we have received concerning our association with the other golf courses and many of our local golfers are highly insulted in calling them duffers.
Merv Troyer
President
Cypress Point Country Club
Aug. 7 Concert facility is nice, noise isn't
Regarding your article in The Virginian-Pilot (Aug. 18) about the Virginia Beach Amphitheater, when the amphitheater was being built, the Salem Lakes area was told its design was such that the music and crowd noises would be acceptable. Well, this problem did not appear in your article.
I like the idea of the amphitheater - the music on a whole has been good - but a good neighbor would lower the volume after 10 p.m. for those of us in the neighborhood who have to get up at 5 a.m. to go to work.
Couldn't the concerts start earlier, and thus end sooner?
Seems to me that would lower cost, especially in the light bill, and thus lower the ticket cost.
It would also make the amphitheater a better neighbor for those of us who were told it wouldn't impact on the neighborhood.
D.C. Nimmich
Aug. 20
Hats off to Virginia Beach!
On July 2, my sister and I had the opportunity to attend the Sting concert at the Virginia Beach Amphitheater.
With the exception of one altercation, I was thoroughly impressed with the entire evening.
The parking attendants, security staff, etc., were both pleasant and helpful.
The facility itself was simply beautiful!
I was already eager, anxiously awaiting the day of the concert and once I arrived, I was even more anxious after seeing how splendid the amphitheater was.
Accolades! Praises!
Hats off to Virginia Beach . . . for making my first experience a pleasant one indeed.
Monica Anita Harps
Norfolk
July 3 by CNB