MEAC
Office headed to Virginia Beach
June 14, 2005
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference announced today that it will relocate
the conference’s headquarters to Virginia Beach. The Virginia Beach Development
Authority anticipates authorization today from the Virginia Beach City Council
to appropriate $50,000 to assist the conference in relocating. The VBDA is
expected to vote on the related Economic Development Investment Fund application
June 16.
The conference plans to locate its headquarters in the Armada/Hoffler Tower
in the Virginia Beach Town Center and to occupy approximately 6,800 square
feet of office space. Other economic impacts to the city include the hosting
of numerous meetings each year, including board, coaches and officials meetings,
and conducting two MEAC championships in the city annually.
Commenting on the announcement, Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera Oberndorf said, “The
location of the MEAC complements our growing efforts in sports marketing and
will mean additional opportunities for our citizens. This relocation is a valuable
addition to the Town Center corporate mix and underscores the city’s
commitment to diversity.” The Commonwealth of Virginia has also pledged
financial assistance to the conference, and Armada/Hoffler will contribute
more than $60,000 for the MEAC relocation.
Editor's note: Virginia Beach suffered widespread publicity
and public outcry as a result of two days of rioting during the Labor Day
"Greekfest" in 1989. The
incident was immortalized by Public
Enemy in their 1990 song "Welcome to the Terrordome". Two slogans commonly heard
in the following weeks were: "It's a black thing;
you wouldn't understand" and "It's a cop thing; we'll make you understand." Several
African-American organizations cancelled activities in the Tidewater
area in response. Since that time, City Officials have worked to repair the negative
image by actively pursueing multicultural events. However they have
cautioned that large groups of disorderly persons will not be welcomed.
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