The Coliseum Central Master Plan encompasses the Coliseum Central Business Improvement District (CCBID) as well as the surrounding neighborhoods and natural environments. Nearly three square miles in size, CCBID is one of the largest business improvement districts in the nation. It is centrally located within the region at the crossroads of Interstate 64 and Interstate 664.

The success of this commercial district is critical to the City of Hampton. It has historically served as one of the major regional shopping districts for the Virginia Peninsula and generates a significant proportion of taxes for the city. Two public-private partnerships and the Coliseum Central Master Plan have served as catalysts for the redevelopment of this district and the preservation of its tax base.

The newly opened Peninsula Town Center and other developments have re-established the district as the premier shopping, dining and entertainment destination of Hampton Roads. Other recent developments include Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, NASCAR Sports Grille, The Power Plant of Hampton Roads, the John Q. Hammons Embassy Suites Hotel, the Hampton Roads Convention Center, a world class medical hub and new residential communities.

Key Elements

The Master Plan embraces principles of community livability and sustainable development by supporting a balance of mixed-use, higher density development, decreased automobile dependency, housing alternatives, recreational and entertainment opportunities, respect for the integrity of the natural environmental appreciation of the built environment and defining architectural features, and community identity.

Retail and Other Commercial Uses

Zimmerman/Volk Associates Inc., a national housing research and strategic analysis firm, conducted a housing market analysis for the Coliseum Central Master Plan area.
Target markets for this district were identified as young professional, empty nesters and traditional/non-traditional families. The market analysis supports a mix of medium to high density housing to promote an urban environment. Types of housing included in the analysis consist of rental and for sale multifamily, attached single family and cluster-style single family housing units.

Major Development Projects

Peninsula Town Center:

The Peninsula Town Center is strategically located at the center of the Hampton Roads region adjacent to the interchange of I-64 and Mercury Boulevard. New York based Mall Properties, Inc. partnered with Steiner + Associates of Columbus, OH, the pioneers of the authentic urban town center concept, to transform this site from an enclosed shopping mall into a vibrant mixed-use town center serving as a regional destination.
With over one-million square feet of mixed-use development, the Peninsula Town Center features retail, dining, entertainment, office and residential opportunities, including 762,000 square feet. of commercial and entertainment space situated around a town square and public park. The developer is planning phase 2 which will include additional retail and residential space.

The Crossroads:

The Crossroads district includes the 10,889 seat Hampton Coliseum, the 344,000 sq. ft. Hampton Roads Convention Center, a 300 room John Q. Hammons Embassy Suites convention headquarters hotel, the H20 residential development and a planned linear waterfront park along the Coliseum Lake and Newmarket Creek.

Power Plant:

Developed by the Cordish Company of Baltimore, MD, The Power Plant of Hampton Roads is one of the premier entertainment districts in the region. Anchored by Lowe's, BJ's and Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, the Power Plant provides a balance of retail restaurant and night-life along a vibrant backdrop on an eight-acre lake and boardwalk. NASCAR Sports Grille is the most recent addition and is one of three in the nation. A Spring Hill Suites and Hilton Garden Inn adds 250 hotel rooms to the retail and entertainment space.

Sentara Medical Campus:

Sentara CarePlex is part of the largest integrated health care provider and second largest employer in Hampton Roads. The Sentara CarePlex Hospital's recent third tower expansion is a 55,000 sq. ft two-story addition to the 194-bed acute care facility. The addition will serve as the region's only dedicated orthopedic hospital. The campus also includes Fitness and Medical Arts Building, a Hampton Inn Hotel and C&F Bank.

Boo Williams SportsPlex:

The Boo Williams SportsPlex opened on March 14, 2008 becoming the largest facility of its kind in a 200-mile radius. The 135,000 square foot sporstplex features state-of-the-art athletic equipment including eight basketball courts which can also convert to twelve volleyball courts or eight indoor hockey courts, a fitness center, a 200-meter eight lane indoor track, a technology center, offices, and a merchandise and concessions area. The venue has a 4,000 person seating capacity and the floor space can be configured to accommodate almost any indoor sports activity. In its first year of operation, the sporstplex attracted over 96,000 attendees and booked over 32,700 hotel room nights.

Newmarket Creek Park:

Stretching nearly 2.5 miles along Newmarket Creek, Lake Hampton, Coliseum Lake, and Bass Pro Lake, this linear waterfront park will include greenways and blueways along this picturesque environment. The park will include areas for entertainment, recreation and relaxation with water access, interactive fountains, and elevated boardwalks. Beginning at Air Power Park, the trailhead will extend through the Crossroads community and to the Power Plant and Blue Bird Gap Farm. The park will transition from a natural preserved environment with educational opportunities to an urban river walk and offer unique experiences along the way for both residents and visitors alike.

Coliseum Drive Streetscaping:

The City of Hampton is implementing a redesign of Coliseum Drive through a significant streetscaping project. Coliseum Drive serves as the spine for many of the largest destination points in the district connecting the Crossroads community to the Sentara medical campus. Other significant properties along the street include the Hampton Coliseum and Hampton Roads Convention Center, the hotel district, the future Peninsula Town Center (currently Coliseum Mall), Riverdale Plaza (future redevelopment site) and Coliseum Crossing Shopping Center. The Master Plan calls for this auto-oriented street to transition to a "Main Street" for the Coliseum Central community by focusing on pedestrian connectivity and alternative transportation modes such as shuttle and mass transit services. Elements of the project include improved and enhanced sidewalks and crosswalks, landscaping and street trees, landscape medians (phase 2), public art, benches and trash receptacles, attractive bus shelters and bus stop enhancements and new pedestrian and auto oriented lighting. Work will begin on Coliseum Drive between Pine Chapel and Mercury Boulevard in late Summer 2006 and will be a wonderful amenity connecting our hotel visitors to the Crossroads and Peninsula Town Center sites.

Riverdale:

The Master Plan calls for the aging Riverdale Plaza to be redeveloped as a mixed-use pedestrian-oriented development with retail as its core and high-density housing along its edges. The development potential for this site is significant due to its desirable location in the District and its proximity to the Peninsula Town Center and I-64.

Mercury Plaza:

Mercury Plaza, one of the oldest shopping centers in Hampton is undergoing a major redevelopment by the owners, Mall Properties. Wachovia Bank, Burlington Coat Factory, Chick-fil-A and Cracker Barrel occupy a portion of this redeveloped 36 acre retail center. The redevelopment includes a network of streets and sidewalks to create a better pattern of internal circulation and promote various uses. Seven out-parcels have also been created along the exterior perimeter of this property for restaurants and service related uses. Approximately 225,000 square feet. of retail and office space will occupy this site upon completion.