One of the properties is 820 acres owned by Rock Ministries, which operates Rock Church. The other is 519 acres owned by Kempsville Presbyterian Church (EPC). Both tracts are in the southern part of the city.

The city is in negotiations to buy two huge parcels of land owned by churches in the rural southern part of the Beach.

One of the properties is 820 acres owned by Rock Ministries, which operates Rock Church on Kempsville Road. The other is 519 acres owned by Kempsville Presbyterian Church.

Mayor Will Sessoms touted the possible deals in his State of the City speech earlier this month, saying the City Council has “authorized the acquisition of three major tracts of property totaling over 1,350 acres.”

Sessoms confirmed this week that two of the properties are those owned by the churches but declined further comment. City officials have not identified the third property.

In his speech, Sessoms said the properties would be purchased using money allocated to buy property around Oceana Naval Air Station. Since 2007, the city has spent $62.5 million – about half of it state money – to reduce encroachment around Oceana.

This year, the General Assembly eliminated but then restored the state’s $7.5 million annual contribution, initially arguing that the city didn’t need it.

“This is a major acquisition, supported by the Navy, and demonstrates the city’s ongoing commitment to the future of Oceana,” Sessoms said in the speech.

Kempsville Presbyterian has been planning to build a new church and a campus of ministries called “The City of Hope” on part of the land. The rest was to be sold for development.

Read More: http://hamptonroads.com/2011/04/virginia-beach-talks-buy-1339-acres-two-churches