Credit Union to Open Wards Corner Branch

February 28, 2010

The following is an article written by Kevin Janney and printed in the January edition of the Suburban (PDF), the Suburban Acres Civic League newsletter:

New Langley Federal Credit Union branch at 7420 Granby St.

New Langley Federal Credit Union branch at 7420 Granby St.

Langley Federal Credit Union plans to open its new Wards Corner branch at the corner of Granby Street and Louisiana Drive by the end of March. Of the six full time employees projected to staff the branch, five of those will be new hires, according to LFCU spokesperson Susan Thrash. “We have been looking for a good location in Norfolk and we took advantage of this opportunity. This location will serve current members, and help us grow on the Southside,” said Thrash. LFCU was established in 1936 and has more than 175,000 members and $1.5 billion in assets.

According to Thrash, LFCU’s Director of Research and Communications, the convenient location and highly recognizable Wards Corner area contributed to the site’s selection, as well as the fact that the building had been
built as a bank, which helped with renovation complexity and cost. The Granby Street location will be LFCU’s
second Southside branch, the other located at Chesapeake Crossroads on Portsmouth Boulevard. LFCU has
sixteen other branches on the Peninsula.

The 7420 Granby Street site is a former Life Savings Bank of Norfolk branch, and was built in the early 1950’s according to M. B. “Mike” Mausteller Jr., Senior Vice President of Harvey Lindsay Commercial Real Estate. The Wards Corner location and nine other Life Savings Bank branches reopened as Branch Banking & Trust Company (BB&T) bank branches after the two organizations merged in October 2003. BB&T closed the branch a couple of years ago in an effort to consolidate area branches. Mausteller says the brick and masonry building “is extremely well built” and anticipates
LFCU will do well at the site because “the Wards Corner area is populated by a lot of loyal customers who enjoy doing business in the local area.”

The renovation project designer is Guernsey & Tingle Architects, with Glenn Development serving as contractor. The property transaction was brokered by Harvey Lindsey Commercial Real Estate of Norfolk.

5 Comments | wards corner | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by Wards Corner

Help Norfolk determine best use of Waterside

February 27, 2010

Bob Batcher, Norfolk’s Public Relations Manager, has asked that we post the link to the Waterside Market Place Survey on our website. Help Norfolk determine the highest and best use for this public space.

 

3 Comments | City Of Norfolk | Tagged: | Permalink
Posted by Wards Corner

Partnership meeting, Thursday at 7PM

February 23, 2010

The Wards Corner Partnership has a meeting this Thursday, February 25, 2010, at the Workforce Development Center (next to Kroger) at 7:00PM.

1 Comment | The Greater Wards Corner Partnership | Tagged: | Permalink
Posted by Wards Corner

Wards Corner mentioned in Norfolk’s State of the City address

February 20, 2010

Mayor Fraim gave the State if the City Address on Friday, February 19, 2010.  It included the following information regarding the Wards Corner area:

More than $13 million has been invested in the Greater Wards Corner area since approval of the Comprehensive Plan.  Last year, police presence and code enforcement activities were stepped up, surveillance cameras installed in Denby Park, and a neighborhood watch begun with 60 residents participating.  As a result, violent crime in Wards Corner dropped 35% and property crime 6%.

Three residential rehabilitation programs were begun for Denby Park, Oakdale Farms and Monticello Village to assist residents in upgrading their homes.  The programs were so successful that within six months, the first $1 million was committed to 21 homeowners.  Another $1 million was committed this fiscal year to assist 40 homeowners, and there’s already a waiting list for next year.

On the commercial side, the department of development is in active discussions with major property owners in the heart of the Wards Corner business district, and we expect new development opportunities to be identified later this year.

The Mayor had this to say about crime:

We were disappointed and concerned by last year’s increase in the homicide rate.  With that exception, overall violent crime was down 14%.

In a very positive sign, juvenile arrests dropped significantly in selective enforcement areas – 83% in Huntersville; 41% in Denby Park and 14% in the Pleasant Avenue corridor.  Overall juvenile arrests were down 52%.  But the problem is still severe, it affects our children and school safety.  That is why I will ask the city council to establish a task force on youth and gang violence to be chaired by the vice mayor, Anthony Burfoot.

Not surprisingly, the Mayor touted the real estate purchases in Ocean View:

The City and NRHA continue to acquire dilapidated properties in Ocean View for redevelopment.  Recent examples include a 16 unit apartment on First View, a 15 unit apartment in Willoughby and the old Ramada Inn property on Ocean View Avenue.

Successful resolution for use of the property along 5th and 7th Bay Streets now makes it possible to begin thinking about preparing a development plan that includes public open space for this very desirable site.

But the purchase of property in the worst area of the Texas Streets portion of Denby Park continues to move at a snails pace (no properties have been purchased, no offers made).  Remember that the Wards Corner Comprehensive Plan’s first listed priority was the redevelopment of those Texas Streets.  From page 30 of the Wards Corner Comprehensive Plan:

We have identified three critical areas for the future of the Greater Wards Corner Area:
1. The Texas Streets portion of Denby Park and related areas extending along East Little Creek Road to the Southern Shopping Center,…

1 Comment | crime | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by Wards Corner

Mayor’s Wards Corner Taskforce Thursday, February 18th, 8:30 am

February 12, 2010

The rescheduled Mayor’s Wards Corner Task Force will meet Thursday, February 18th, 8:30 am at the Norfolk Fitness and Wellness Center, 7300 Newport Avenue.

January 2010 Wards Corner Task Force Minutes

February 2010 Wards Corner Staff Reports

Comments Off on Mayor’s Wards Corner Taskforce Thursday, February 18th, 8:30 am | Wards Corner Taskforce | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by Wards Corner

Ward One Council candidate Andy Protogyrou’s campaign kick off Monday, February 15th

February 11, 2010

Andy Protogyrou will formally announce his campaign for the Ward One Council seat on Monday, February 15th, 5:30 pm at the AHEPA house behind the Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 7220 Granby Street, Norfolk.  All Ward One voters are invited. R.S.V.P 757-625-1775.

Andy Protogyrou Campaign Kickoff Invitation

Comments Off on Ward One Council candidate Andy Protogyrou’s campaign kick off Monday, February 15th | Norfolk City Council Election | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by Wards Corner

Mayor’s Wards Corner Task Force Meeting rescheduled

February 10, 2010

We received the following emails from Carlton Ransom, Senior Neighborhood Development Specialist,and Stanley Stein, Assistant City Manager, about the cancellation and rescheduling:

To All,
Good morning.  The Greater Wards Corner Task Force meeting scheduled for February 11th has been cancelled.
 
The Greater Wards Corner Task Force meeting has been rescheduled for February 18th   8:30 am at the Norfolk Fitness and Wellness Center.    

We apologize for any inconvenience.  As a courtesy, please notify other task force members of this change.  I thank you in advance. 

Carlton Ray Ransom
Senior Neighborhood Development Specialist
Neighborhood Preservation – Bureau of Community Outreach

Email from Stanley Stein

Let me add a few word of apology for seeking a reschedule and thank you for allowing it.  This is a meeting time which is normally set for me and does not change.  It was not a meeting time where the council members are required to attend.  Unfortunately I have to attend to another commitment and did not have flexibility to change it. 

I will work to not let this happen again if at all possible.  I appreciate your flexibility. 

Stanley
Norfolk, VA

4 Comments | Wards Corner Taskforce | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by Wards Corner

3rd Police Patrol Division Meeting, Friday February 12th

February 8, 2010

Norfolk Police Department 3rd Patrol Division Sector Meeting
February 12, 2010 From 11:00AM to 12:00 PM
Norfolk Fitness and Wellness Center

The Red Sector will be having their first sector meeting this Friday.
Our speaker will be from the office of the Virginia Attorney General in Richmond.
Our speakers will address issues and concerns of the consumers and communities in Virginia.
We will have a light lunch and refreshments
We hope to see you at the meeting
For questions about the meeting please email Officer Jackson
or call at 831-3484

Comments Off on 3rd Police Patrol Division Meeting, Friday February 12th | Police | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by Wards Corner

Ward 1 Council race gets another candidate

February 5, 2010

Barbara Saunders will announce her candidacy at the Ocean View Golf Course on Saturday  for the Ward One Council seat being vacated by the retiring Councilman Don Williams. The field of candidates for the Ward One seat is populated by former police officer, Chuck Brewer, who will announce at the Banque on Saturday, Paul Trice, Ocean View artist, and Andy Protogyrou, Norfolk attorney.

Andy Protogyrou will announce his candidacy on Monday, February 15th, 6:00 p.m. at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church of Norfolk, 7220 Granby Street.

Update 2/06/2010: Barbara Saunders called and said the info about her announcement was incorrect. When we get more info on her announcement, we will post the date, time and place.

1 Comment | City Of Norfolk | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by Wards Corner