Progress requires concessions

"New vitality" of Cape Charles comes at the expense of "slow, easy way of life"

As seen in The Virginian Pilot – 04-16-2006

By Jim Ducibella

Frank Lewis would be the first to say that the Bay Creek development has been a boon to Cape Charles, that the 2,000-acre resort has provided a "new vitality we haven’t seen here in a long time."

But the town’s mayor also admits to having mixed feelings about the price of that vitality.

"I’m sad to see the disappearance of many things people around here treasured – the slow, easy way of life," Lewis said. "Is it inevitable? Yes. We all look back on the past fondly. Is it good? Is it bad? I just don’t know. It depends on your perspective."

Residents can sell their homes for a much greater price than they could have imagined before 1996, when Dickie Foster bought and began developing property that had laid fallow for 22 years. They’re also plowing almost all of those profits into their new homes.

"But that’s happening everywhere," Lewis said.

In many cases, tax assessments have doubled in the last few years. Some senior citizens, Lewis says, have been unable to handle the increase.

"This isn’t just affecting Cape Charles," he said. "It’s affecting Cheriton down the road, Accomack and Northhampton County. You used to be able to sell your house and buy a little mini-farm outside of town. Not anymore."

Lewis says Cape Charles has been discovered. The cost of shoreline property in Delaware and Maryland has skyrocketed, so it was inevitable that people would move down the coast. Foster’s resort, featuring 36 holes of golf designed by Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, "is only a piece of the puzzle, but a huge piece."

Lewis praises Foster as someone whose dealings have been conducted "in a firstclass way." He commends his interest in and respect of Cape Charles’ history.

"Someone was going to come in here eventually," Lewis said. "I think you can say that of all the people who could have done this, he’s the best."

Without Bay Creek as a spur, Lewis says Cape Charles probably wouldn’t have undertaken projects such as the expansion of the town’s marina and a rebuilt beach.

"We’re a fantastic place to go boating," Lewis said. "Bay Creek is providing us with a much larger tourist base."

He feels confident that many people who now visit on weekends or in summer will become full-time residents. He hopes it happens sooner than later. It’s impossible for merchants to survive on three or four months of business.

"In general, people are pleased with what is happening here," Lewis said. "But there has been a downside."

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