Farm Fresh at Wards Corner to begin renovations

April 15, 2012

There has been a rumor for some time that the Farm Fresh at Wards Corner would be undergoing renovations in anticipation of the new Harris Teeter.

The Virginian-Pilot is reporting that a 2 million dollar renovation is expected to begin soon and wrap up by this coming fall.  Farm Fresh, according to the Pilot article, is keeping quiet on the details of the renovation by only saying “[i]t will include interior and exterior work”.

The Virginian Pilot article:  Farm Fresh in Wards Corner to undergo renovation

3 Comments | economic development, wards corner | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

Joint Planning Commission and City Council meeting scheduled for Harris Teeter project

March 30, 2012

A special joint meeting of the Planning Commission and City Council has been scheduled for April 24, 2012 at 7pm in City Council chambers.  The meeting was scheduled at the request of City Council in an effort to speed up the approval process for Chris Perry’s project at the southeast corner of Wards Corner which is slated to be a Harris Teeter anchored shopping center.  The public is encouraged to attend and express their concerns / opinions.

As previously reported here on Wards Corner Now, Chris Perry is asking for:

1.  Conditional Change of Zoning.  The applicant is asking to rezone the entire block to Conditional C-3 with conditions that the property shall be developed generally in accordance with the layout attached as Exhibit A, that the outparcel will be single user, and that the buildings constructed will be consistent with the appearance in the rendering attached as Exhibit B.

2.  Adult Use Special Exception for the sale of Alcoholic Beverages for off-premises Consumption.  The applicant is requesting to be able to sell Beer and Wine from 6:00AM to 12:00AM daily at Harris Teeter.

3.  Special Exception to Operate a Retail Establishment After Midnight.  The applicant is requesting to operate a full service Harris Teeter from 12:00AM to 12:00AM daily.

4.  Special Exception to operate a Commercial Drive-Through Facility.  The applicant is requesting to operate a branch banking facility with drive-through lanes to serve customers, including automatic teller machines.

5.  Special Exception to operate a Commerical Drive-Through Facility.  The applicant is requesting to operate a drive through out of the end unit of the shopping center serving food and beverages.  The hours of operation indicated are from 6:00AM to 11:00PM.  The exhibit to this request indicates a “COFFEE HOUSE” in that location.

The complete application can be viewed here (PDF).

Leave a Comment » | economic development, Wards Corner Business District | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

Midtown Shopping Center facade rendering

March 18, 2012

Thanks to the Norfolk Department of Development for providing the below rendering of the new facade slated to go up on the Midtown Shopping Center (northeast corner of Wards Corner).  The construction is expected to begin very soon and last approximately 6 months.

New facade slated to be constructed on the Midtown Shopping Center at the northeast corner of Wards Corner. aka Joan Dalis Martone Property

New facade slated to be constructed on the Midtown Shopping Center at the northeast corner of Wards Corner. aka Joan Dalis Martone Property

3 Comments | economic development | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

Joan Dalis reveals plan for new facade on Midtown Shopping Center

March 16, 2012

A press conference was held today, March 16, 2012 at 1:30PM in the parking lot in front of the old People’s location in the Midtown Shopping Center (northeast corner of Wards Corner).  There, acting Department of Development Director, Chuck Rigney announced Joan Dalis’ plans to spend more than 1 million dollars on a new facade and a redone parking lot, to include new lighting.  Some photos from the press conference are below.  This post will be updated with official images when they are received from the Department of Development.

Chuck Rigney, Acting Director of Development, introducing the Dalis and Martone families in attendance as well as City Council members

Chuck Rigney, Acting Director of Development, introducing the Dalis and Martone families in attendance as well as City Council members

Chuck Rigney, Acting Director of Development, introducing the Dalis and Martone families in attendance as well as City Council members

Joan Dalis (left) and the Dalis and Martone family members

Mayor Paul Fraim celebrating, "Wards Corner is Back!"

Mayor Paul Fraim celebrating, "Wards Corner is Back!"

Midtown Shopping Center - new facade, right side facing Little Creek Road

Midtown Shopping Center - new facade, right side facing Little Creek Road

Midtown Shopping Center - new facade, left side facing Granby Street

Midtown Shopping Center - new facade, left side facing Granby Street

Midtown Shopping Center - new facade, middle view

Midtown Shopping Center - new facade, middle view

7 Comments | economic development, Wards Corner Business District | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

Chris Perry files Application for rezoning, Harris Teeter, Bank, Drive-Through Coffee Shop

March 15, 2012
Exhibit A - Layout of Suburban Park Shopping Center

Exhibit A - Layout of Suburban Park Shopping Center

The City of Norfolk has received the following applications regarding the new Harris Teeter anchored shopping center planned for the southeast corner of Wards Corner:

1.  Conditional Change of Zoning.  The applicant is asking to rezone the entire block to Conditional C-3 with conditions that the property shall be developed generally in accordance with the layout attached as Exhibit A, that the outparcel will be single user, and that the buildings constructed will be consistent with the appearance in the rendering attached as Exhibit B.

Exhibit B - Suburban Park Shopping Center, Granby Street Elevation

Exhibit B - Suburban Park Shopping Center, Granby Street Elevation

2.  Adult Use Special Exception for the sale of Alcoholic Beverages for off-premises Consumption.  The applicant is requesting to be able to sell Beer and Wine from 6:00AM to 12:00AM daily at Harris Teeter.

3.  Special Exception to Operate a Retail Establishment After Midnight.  The applicant is requesting to operate a full service Harris Teeter from 12:00AM to 12:00AM daily.

4.  Special Exception to operate a Commercial Drive-Through Facility.  The applicant is requesting to operate a branch banking facility with drive-through lanes to serve customers, including automatic teller machines.

5.  Special Exception to operate a Commerical Drive-Through Facility.  The applicant is requesting to operate a drive through out of the end unit of the shopping center serving food and beverages.  The hours of operation indicated are from 6:00AM to 11:00PM.  The exhibit to this request indicates a “COFFEE HOUSE” in that location.

The complete application can be viewed here (PDF).

18 Comments | economic development, Uncategorized | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

Harris Teeter plans and design to be unveiled

January 25, 2012

Chris Perry, on behalf of Suburban Land Management, will be attending civic league meetings in Wards Corner, Talbot Park, and Suburban Acres in February to unveil his plans and design for a brand new Harris Teeter anchored shopping center at the southeast corner of Wards Corner.

The following meetings are open to the public to view the plans:

Suburban Acres Civic League meeting:
February 13, 2012 @ 6:30
Location: Suburban Park Elementary School, 310 Thole St.

Talbot Park Civic League meeting:
February 21, 2012 @ 7:00
Location: Royster Memorial Church, 6901 Newport Ave.

Wards Corner Civic League meeting:
February 27, 2012 @ 6:45
Location: Fitness and Wellness Center, 7300 Newport Ave.

Leave a Comment » | economic development | Tagged: , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

VP Editorial on Wards Corner

January 20, 2012

Michelle Washington, a reporter and editorial writer for the Virginian-Pilot and apparently a resident of Wards Corner, wrote an editorial in today’s edition of the paper about Wards Corner.  The article can be read here.

Selected portions:

Once again, we are all, old residents and new, eyeing the future of Wards Corner with hope.

The city’s confirmation last week that developer Chris Perry would bring a new $18 million Harris Teeter to the southeast corner of the intersection brought me wild imaginings of what else the development might draw. Perhaps excitement about a grocery store is merely a strong indicator of how much time I spend at the grocery store. It could also be an indication that folks nearby will support not only an upscale grocery store like HT, but a number of other restaurants, bars and retailers that would benefit from the foot traffic generated by a supermarket.

Instead of a string of disappointments, Wards Corner residents have recently witnessed a series of victories. Last summer the city bought seven apartment buildings in Denby Park, an area that has long struggled with blight and crime. Norfolk Collegiate School is constructing an $8.5 million arts center on Granby Street just blocks from Little Creek Road.

Leave a Comment » | economic development, Editorial, Virginian-Pilot | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

Chris Perry revealed his timeline for Harris Teeter

January 12, 2012
The new shopping center will replace the entire block, marked in red.

The new shopping center will replace the entire block, marked in red.

Chris Perry, on behalf of Suburban Land Management, attended the  Wards Corner Taskforce meeting this morning.  Suburban Land Management now owns the entire block bounded by Granby St on the West, E. Little Creek Road on the North, Virginian Drive on the East, and Louisiana Drive on the South.

Mr. Perry and his partners, who attended the meeting, provided an  approximate timeline for the demolition and construction of the new shopping center.  Harris Teeter is expected to be the new anchor.  According to the Virginian-Pilot, Harris Teeter has agreed in principle to build a 53,000-square foot outlet and the entire investment on behalf of Harris Teeter and Suburban Land Management will be $18 million.

The plan is for Mr. Perry to attend civic and community meetings in February and go before the Planning Commission and City Council and March and April, respectively.  The project must go before the Planning Commission and Council because a number of properties that will be included in the new development need to be rezoned.

Demolition is expected to begin in the summer of 2012 and Mr. Perry is hopeful that the new shopping center will open in 2014.

Wards Corner Now will be posting a schedule of civic and community meetings in the near future where Mr. Perry and Suburban Land Management are expected to reveal initial designs of the new development.

 

1 Comment | economic development | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

Norfolk Collegiate Center for the Arts groundbreaking

November 8, 2011
Norfolk Collegiate Center for the Arts

Norfolk Collegiate Center for the Arts

Great news for Wards Corner.  Norfolk Collegiate has scheduled a groundbreaking for their Center for the Arts.  The groundbreaking will be on December 16, 2011 at 9:15am.

This 31,000 square foot fine arts center will have a 425 seat theater, an on-site student art gallery, classrooms, workshops and practice studios. The facility will be made available at night to the community for a slight charge for security and janitorial services.

The floor plan can be viewed here.

1 Comment | economic development, wards corner | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by Wards Corner

nTelos proposes 100ft cell tower at Masonic Temple site

June 6, 2011
A flagpole cell tower in Willoughby, similar to what is being proposed at the Masonic Temple

A flagpole cell tower in Willoughby, similar to what is being proposed at the Masonic Temple

Ntelos is proposing to build a 100 foot tall stealth cell tower at the Masonic Temple at 7001 Granby Street.

The Planning Commission voted in favor of the tower, with the following conditions:

a)  The communication tower shall be a 100 foot tall flagpole antenna and supporting equipment located in the front of the property.

b)  The site plan must be approved by the Site Plan Review Committee including a review to ensure that adequate landscaping has been provided.

c) If the tower is not utilized for a period of 6 consecutive months, it will be removed.

d) The holder of this special exception will construct the tower in a manner which will accomodate future multiple users in an effort to reduce the number of similar towers in the immediate area.

e) The holder of this special exception shall be obligated to maximize co-location of antennae on this tower at market lease rates.

The proposal must now go before City Council for approval.

1 Comment | economic development | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by Wards Corner

The Movie and Music Exchange opens Saturday

December 13, 2010

Ward’s Corner welcomes “The Movie and Music Exchange”:

Movie & Music Exchange

Movie & Music Exchange

The Movie and Music Exchange is having it’s Grand Opening in Ward’s Corner this Sat. Dec. 18.  We hope to be a postive force in Ward’s Corner by transforming a vacant store into something everyone can enjoy.  We are a family friendly store with a kids area in the back.

This area is conducive to constructive activities for children and also contains a wonderful mural of some popular animals that can be found in movies and the Norfolk Zoo.  Come see the largest selection of DVDs and CDs for sale in Norfolk. We have 1000′s of great titles in stock. You can trade yours for ours or just buy them outright. The
Movie & Music Exchange is connected to our sister store, The Book Exchange at 116 E. Little Creek Rd. Call us at 583-2667 or see www.bookexchangenorfolk.com for directions. We guarantee you will like this addition to Ward’s Corner!

Thanks,
John

1 Comment | economic development, Wards Corner Business District | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by Wards Corner

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