The Fort Monroe Authority and its consultants have invited public input about the fort’s future. As they go through this process, I encourage them to consider an idea that at first glance may fall outside the usual range of suggestions, but in fact respects the fort’s unique location, its history, the potential of all of its open space and its vulnerability to changing environmental conditions in a way that other ideas don’t.
Environmental conditions are more than an academic consideration. Fort Monroe’s proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay impact crater zone call for solutions that make good economic use of the location, but are also adaptable over time to rising waters and land subsidence.
One flexible solution we haven’t heard discussed so far is using the underdeveloped areas of Fort Monroe outside the fort’s historic district for the creation of a Tivoli Gardens-style entertainment and amusement venue.
Denmark’s Tivoli Gardens is one of the world’s most beloved and longest running entertainment and recreational attractions. Located in the center of Copenhagen, Tivoli Gardens is a clean, safe “island of fun” with rides, entertainment and cultural programming that attracts millions of visitors each year. More than an amusement park, Tivoli is a beloved cultural hub and green space for Copenhagen residents and not just a tourist attraction. It significantly improves local quality of life by providing an accessible, affordable and multi-generational gathering place for entertainment, recreation and community-driven events.
Waterfront fun parks such as Buckroe, Bay Shore, Ocean View, Seaview and Seaside have a long and cherished history in Hampton Roads. They appealed to people of all ages and were popular with overnight visitors. So much more than a passive city park, a Tivoli Gardens-style development could provide just the energy and innovation needed to reintroduce Fort Monroe to the region and the nation.
With its history and a location unlike anywhere else in our region, it is not hard to Imagine:
A distinctive, one-of-a-kind waterfront campus that, along with the Virginia Air & Space Museum, draws a larger critical mass of visitor attention to the Peninsula.
Gardens for beauty, for strolling and to respectfully connect the modern areas of the fort to the adjacent boating facilities, historic fortress and residences.
Rides for children of all ages.
Space for outdoor concerts, festivals or even a summer circus.
Beaches and playgrounds for sunning and playing in the Chesapeake Bay.
Places for visitors to dine and watch ships come and go.
Lawns for lounging in the sun.
A new destination for recreational boaters up and down the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic coast.
Restoring Point Comfort as a destination for coastal cruise vessels as it once was for the Old Bay Line.
A flexible site for scalable development.
Increased visitation and economic rejuvenation for Phoebus and downtown Hampton.
Jobs and economic opportunities for businesses to operate the gardens and serve visitors.
Opportunities for boat and ferry transportation from South Hampton Roads to Fort Monroe without adding vehicular traffic.
Is this a pie-in-the-sky notion? Perhaps. But against the usual mix of real estate proposals that have not gone anywhere after 13 years of study, it’s an idea worth exploring to ignite public interest, create something new and exciting and increase Hampton pride.
It doesn’t have to happen overnight. Rather, aspects of it can be developed incrementally over time in such a way that the interpretation of Fort Monroe’s history is respected and the quality of life of current residents and tenants is preserved.
After all, you don’t make big strides if you don’t dream big.
Chris Bonney is a Virginia Beach-based marketing researcher and former chairman of the Hampton Roads Center for Civic Engagement.