Budget meeting to be held at Granby High School

February 21, 2011
Join the Conversation

Join the Conversation

Over the next 30 days, the City of Norfolk is reaching out to residents, employees, and others for ideas, concerns, and questions, as we develop the budget proposal that will be considered by City Council in April.

Looking at current revenues and expenses, the City will face a $32 million gap. Add in a projected $21 million gap in Norfolk Public Schools revenues and expenses, it is clear that Norfolk cannot pay for every existing service and program in future years.
To craft a budget, we need to better understand the priorities of the community, employees and civic leaders.  We want you to bring your questions and suggestions to the table. Here’s how you can get engaged:
Attend a community outreach meeting:
Tuesday, February 22
6-8 p.m.
Granby High School
7101 Granby St. (23505)
Wednesday, February 23
6-8 p.m.
Pretlow Anchor Branch Library
111 W. Ocean View Ave. (23503)
Wednesday, March 2
6-8 p.m.
Campostella Elementary School
1106 Campostella Rd. (23523)
Thursday, March 10
6-8 p.m.
Maury High School
322 Shirley Ave. (2351 7)
Alternatively, comments can be made online at www.norfolk.gov

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REMINDER: WCN meeting Saturday, 2/19

February 17, 2011

Your attendance is requested at the Wards Corner Now meeting on Saturday, February 19, 2011 at 8:30am at the Fitness and Wellness Center.

The main speaker will be Planning Commission member, Syble Stone.

Edit: corrected date.

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Town Hall meeting to be held in Wards Corner area

February 10, 2011
Tivest Development and Construction

Tivest Development and Construction

According to the Virginian-Pilot article, Councilpersons Tommy Smigiel, Angelia Williams and Andy Protogyrou are holding a town hall meeting this Saturday, February 12, 2011 at 9a.m. at Granby High School in the greater Wards Corner Area.

A representative from Tivest Development has been invited to present on their plan for the Midtown Office Tower that would be built at Tidewater Drive and Virginia Beach Blvd.  The project is proposed to be subsidized by the City paying substantially more in rent than it is paying now.

Ann Abraham, a Wards Corner resident, was one of the first to write in about this meeting:

This is in reference to proposed town hall meeting at Granby high school Saturday Feb. 12 at 9 a.m. I think it will be an important meeting for  the Wards Corner Civic league to show their strength.

As you may have read in the newspaper, the city manager and staff along with mayor Fraim, councilmen Riddick and Burfoot are in favor of using city funds to support a private developer. The project is called midtown office building. There is no need for the city to develop every vacant lot in the city. Tax payers’ funds should be used throughout the community, not for handpicked private developers. These funds will be diverted from the redevelopment of wards corner. We need to voice our opposition to the needless output of taxpayers funds to benefit a private developer. This project doesn’t make sense. I don’t need to remind you that help for wards corner has been on the back burner. I think it would be equally important to get the word out to other civic leagues. Perhaps you can pass this message on.

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Meeting Saturday, Feb. 19 at 8:30am

February 9, 2011

Please attend the Wards Corner Now meeting  Saturday, February 19, 2011 at 8:30am at the Fitness and Wellness Center.

Agenda:

1.  Syble stone, Vice Chair of the Norfolk Planning Commission.

2.  Denby Park property acquisition update

3.  Redevelopment update

4.  Collins project- Update on project and recent proposed changes to design.

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Sarah’s Cards and Gifts closes

February 7, 2011

Another long-time Wards Corner business closes down.  Wards Corner Now received word that Sarah’s Cards and Gifts, formerly known as Sarah’s Hallmark Shop, has closed its’ doors for good.

It is very sad to see another business go and there may be plenty of blame to go around, but as one local businessman put it, “To look at the glass as half full though, 34 years in business there says something  very positive about Ward’s Corner.”

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Mayor mentions Wards Corner in State of City

February 4, 2011
The Mayor gave his State of the City address today.  He had the following to say about Wards Corner:

In Wards Corner, our development department continues in active discussions with major property owners  in the heart of the business district. Subject to an improvement in the retail sector, new development opportunities are expected to be identified later this year.  City council is mindful that more needs to be done in Wards Corner.  We know and share the frustration with the pace of activity.  There is great potential in Wards Corner, and we are determined to see the effort through to completion.

The full address can be read here (PDF).

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Wards Corner Business District Sales and Revenue down

February 1, 2011

WVEC.com is reporting that MacArthur Mall and Wards Corner are two of areas hardest hit by the rough economy.

Overall, the report showed a decline of 3.9% city-wide and in Wards Corner it was the worst since 2001.  In fact, eight businesses closed in Wards Corner during the past year.

“It’s the gateway to our downtown and it really has declined to a mere shadow of its former self,” described city commissioner of revenue, Sharon McDonald.

The Wards Corner Civic League says its main priority is having the city buy the land in Denby Park.

The Commissioner of Revenue has posted the 2010 Sales and Revenue Report on her website and the following information can be found within the report:

 

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