Wards Corner Now – Wards Corner, Norfolk, Virginia

Thanks as always to Karen Mayne for taking notes:

The Greater Wards Corner Task Force Meeting

May 9, 2013

Council Members Barclay Winn, Andy Protogyrou, and Terry Whibley were present.

 Second Patrol Crime Statistics – A total of 13 crimes were reported in Wards Corner (Planning District 25).  An arrest was made in conjunction with a crime reported in March.  All 13 crimes reported were larcenies.

Utilities – Ken Turner

 Major Projects

Three of the four major projects in Wards Corner are near completion.  The Titustown Pump Station and the Wards Corner Sanitary Sewer Replacement are scheduled to be completed in spring 2013.  The Wards Corner Wastewater Pump Station estimated time of completion is summer 2013.  The I-564 Water Main replacement will begin construction spring 2013 with an estimated completion date of spring 2014.   

 Department of Development – Mike Cutter and Chuck Rigney

 Suburban Park Shopping Center — Site prep is underway. The issue of setback of the sidewalk along the Little Creek Road section of the project was discussed.  The City will be talking with Suburban Asset Management about an easement along this area so there will be a wider distance between pedestrians and traffic.

Midtown Shopping Center — $1.2 million dollars in renovations are complete.  Additional parking lot improvements are planned.  Lease negotiations are underway.

Wards Corner Shopping Center — Negotiations are underway regarding the #1 Chinese Buffet.  Dollar Tree is a potential tenant but there are no definitive plans.

Farm Fresh — Over a million dollars in upgrades and renovations, including a drive-thru for the Pharmacy was completed.  City is in discussion with the property owner about demolishing the former cold storage building for redevelopment.

K-Mart – K-Mart will be closing in July.  The City has no word yet on future tenant at this site.

Community Reports

Suburban Acres Civic League will discuss the issue of double-sided parking at the west end of Suburban Parkway in the area of Norfolk Collegiate Upper School and Suburban and Granby Houses at its May 13 meeting.  Traffic congestion in this area makes parking on both sides a safety issue.  The civic league will advise Public Works, Traffic Division of its concerns.

Other Business

The issue of the proposed four cent per hundred increase in the City’s real estate property tax was discussed.  City Council representatives encouraged residents to come to the City’s public meeting on this issue on May 13, at 6:00 pm at Granby High School.  For residents who cannot attend the meeting, the council members invited citizen comments via an e-mail or a telephone call.