A Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Norfolk and Norfolk’s Redevelopment and Housing Authority was signed yesterday making Denby Park, Oakdale Farms and Monticello Village a Special Service District. These neighborhoods will now be eligible for grants that will help uplift these neighborhoods.
Pilot Online reports
On Thursday, city officials took a huge step toward ending that perception, and, they say, the deterioration. The Denby Park, Monticello Village and Oakdale Farms neighborhoods are now part of a community revitalization program. The effort will allow the city’s housing authority to offer grants and loans to homeowners to enlarge and repair their homes.
Norfolk has set aside $1 million for the project through June.
A debt of gratitude is owed to the members of the Mayors Wards Corner Task Force and especially to the City Council members and A.C.M. Marcus Jones for their persistance in designating these deserving neighborhoods.
Wards Corner Now - Wards Corner, Norfolk, Virginia 
Thank you Mr. Jones, Ms Lai and others in the city network who have worked on this important project. RJ Luce
I only hope NRHA will focus on ‘owner-occupied’ homes and discourage rentals and apartments from obtaining any of this money. This is the help that some homeowners on fixed or low incomes need to keep their homes in good condition. If handled correctly by NRHA, the city could see that money back (through taxes) real soon.
Retailers need to start paying attention to Wards Corner. The retailers that get established here early will reap the rewards latter when Wards Corner finally turns back around.
Thank you Norfolk, we need to see this type of commitment more often from Downtown.
I do hope that smaller multiple dwelling apartment buildings have some opportunity also . These apartments are not going away and must compete with better rental housing or these apartments will continue to blight the neighborhoods. IF you are looking for a better tenant/renter in these blighted areas, you have to improve all properties. Good job Task Force, Councilpersons Whibley, Winn, Williams, Hester , Assistant City Manaager Jones and NHRA.
This is a huge step in the right direction towards redeveloping and revitalizing Wards Corner. I applaud the Task Force for their tireless efforts to secure the MOU. Thank you also, to the members of City Council and Asst Mgr. Marcus Jones for “doing the right thing.”
How do I go about applying for this? I did not see any contact numbers or a web address.