New Police Third Patrol Division building has a community room

June 30, 2011

The new $12,000,000, 42, 269 square foot Police Third Patrol Division building has a room available for community functions. The building  houses  the 3rd Patrol Division, the Homeland Security Division and Traffic Unit. The building is located behind the Super Wal-Mart on Tidewater Drive on Asbury Avenue in Norfolk’s Central Business Park.

According to WVEC News, Acting Chief Sharon L. Chamberlin said,

This building is a testament to the very vocal and passionate citizens who rallied for many years to have a precinct in the area. Our appreciation to those citizens is recognized with a dedicated room in the building for various community and civic league meetings

The building officially opened Thursday, June 30, 2011  with a ribbon cutting at 10:00 a.m.

http://www.wavy.com/video/videoplayer.swf?dppversion=10637

NPD prepares to open new facility: wavy.com


Denby Park’s KaBoom Park to be moved?

June 29, 2011

Citing continued crime at the KaBoom park, the City and the Denby Park Civic League are making moves to close the park and relocate it to a safer portion of Monticello village.

 

The park was built in August 2008 by over 400 volunteers and with a grant from the Chrysler Foundation.    It is located at 352 San Antonio Blvd.

As a reminder, page 28 of the 2003 Greater Wards Corner Comprehensive Plan:

[T]he high-density walkup apartments constructed in the Texas Streets section of Denby Park are, for the most part, not desirable housing.  They have been built too close together, without appropriate provision of open space, and without amenities. The maze-like character of the resulting development, its proximity to highly-travelled Little Creek Road and to Interstate – 64 make it unfortunately suitable for drug dealing and for serving as a base for other criminal activity. The Norfolk police report that the situation in these buildings is getting worse. They recommend major change: the acquisition and demolition of these buildings, before the situation has even more adverse impacts on the surrounding neighborhoods.  The many respectable people who are living in these buildings are being victimized by the current situation.


Former Alexis Apartment site recommended for public hearing on rezoning

June 25, 2011

The now cleared site at 1227 W. Little Creek Road where the troubled Alexis Apartment once stood will be recommended to City Council at their Tuesday, June 28th meeting to advertise for a public hearing to rezone from R-14 (High Density Multiple-Family) district to C-2 (Corridor Commercial). The proposed use for the site will be additional parking for the Titustown Recreation Center.

Click here to view MAP


Update on Homicide at Cromwell House

June 23, 2011
Eugene Williams Jr

Eugene Williams Jr

Originally reported on June 16, 2011 as Homicide at Cromwell House, the killer of Louis A. Daniel, Jr. has not been caught and police ask that anyone with information on the death call (757) 664-7023.

Nonetheless police have arrested a man in connection with the homicide and charged him with burglary.  The alleged criminal is Eugene Williams Jr. of the 1400 block of Long-dale Drive.  He is currently being held without bond in the Norfolk City Jail.

See the Virginian-Pilot article and the WVEC article.

 

 


Wards Corner’s own The Pancake House featured in VP article

June 20, 2011
The Pancake House

The Pancake House

At almost 50 years old, The Pancake House at Wards Corner has become a neighborhood staple.  The Virginian-Pilot printed an article/review in their June 20, 2011 edition.

You’re not likely to leave The Pancake House hungry, although you may feel like taking a nap after ingesting all those carbs.

Congratulations go out to The Pancake House for their past and future successes!

The full article can be read here.


Residents of the Cromwell House want better security

June 18, 2011

The following is from a follow-up report by Andy Fox of  WAVY TV 10:

Click here for Video

Norfolk, VA – Residents of an apartment complex want better security after one of the residents was killed. 

Residents say they heard gun shots Tuesday night. Police found 77-year-old Louis Daniel Jr. dead on Wednesday in his home on Cromwell Parkway. His neighbors hope his death was not in vain.

“I heard the gun shot, and it didn’t sound that close,” said Joanne Knight who lives above the apartment where Daniel died.

He would sit in his window and read in the sunlight. Tuesday night, darkness visited Daniel – a robber in the night with a gun.

“We all are praying. We are on shells walking because we have to watch our backs. We have to do that. We shouldn’t have to that Mr. Andy. We need help,” said Knight.

Cromwell House Apartment residents are scared, and they want better security.

“They are breaking into cars, breaking down doors when they are not home,” said Knight.

They want trees cut that are around lights, and they want surveillance cameras.

“If you look at the light, how bright will it be behind the trees,” said Laura Davis who is also a neighbor.

Apartment complex management told WAVY.com there is security at the complex, but two residents talked over each other to say security is nearly non-existent. Management has arranged for police to visit on July 28 to give residents tips on staying safe which is more than a month away.

“We need a meeting tomorrow, tonight,” said Knight.

In memory of Daniel, residents will have a candle light vigil, but more importantly they called up because they want better security. Apartment management did not return our phone calls for a response, and told us Wednesday they do have security, but as you have read, residents say it’s not nearly enough security.

 

Homicide at Cromwell House Apartments

June 16, 2011
Cromwell House Apartments

Cromwell House Apartments

Residents and neighbors of Cromwell House Apartments have been complaining about increasing and persistent crime for some time now.

WAVY, WTKR, and WVEC are reporting that a homicide occurred there on Tuesday night between 11:00 and 11:30pm.  The victim was an elderly man who rarely left his apartment according to neighbors.

Police have not released details or a motive at this time.

 


Wards Corner Now – next meeting September 17, 2011

June 9, 2011

Wards Corner Now will not be meeting in June or July.  The next meeting will be held on September 17, 2011.  We look forward to seeing you then.

Enjoy your summer!


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.