Wards Corner votes to support Meadowbrook Civic League

February 25, 2014

meadbrookOn February 24, 2014 the Wards Corner Civic League held their regular monthly meeting at the Fitness and Wellness Center.  On the agenda was a discussion of the proposals for, and possible redevelopment of, the Meadowbrook School.

After a discussion among the members, a motion and a second were made to support the Meadowbrook Civic League’s position as printed in their online petition:

· A minimum of 1.5 acres of the site will be permanently designated as a City owned and maintained park (OSP zoning), preferably fronting the 1600 block of Trouville Avenue, with adequate off-street parking for park users.

· Fire station No. 12 may be relocated to the western-most 1.5 acres of the site, provided the building’s architecture is compatible with the adjacent Meadowbrook residential area, all traffic ingress/egress is via Hampton Blvd. or W. Little Creek Rd., and sufficient noise abatement measures, vegetative screening and on-site parking are provided.

· A maximum of 1.5 acres of the site may be reused/redeveloped as single-family homes, provided these homes are primarily brick-faced, have adequate off-street parking, and are zoned R-5, in keeping with the majority of adjacent homes in the Meadowbrook neighborhood. As a condition of sale, the City shall require the developer(s) to enter into a development agreement and deed restrictions, restricting the zoning, use, height and facing as described.

The vote was unanimous in favor of support of Meadowbrook Civic League’s position and a letter of support will be forwarded to the City.

You can review the developers proposals and send in your own comments to the City by going here: http://www.norfolk.gov/index.aspx?NID=2765

You can sign Meadowbrook Civic League’s petition be going here: http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/save-meadowbrook-school-park.html

You can follow Meadowbrook Civic League on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/SaveMeadowbrookSchoolPark

Comments Off on Wards Corner votes to support Meadowbrook Civic League | City Of Norfolk, economic development, Schools | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

Public Forum regarding the redevelopment of Meadowbrook School site

February 13, 2014

Please come out to support Meadowbrook Civic League’s stance against too much density at the Meadowbrook School site.  The City is holding a “Community Input Opportunity” on February 19, 2014 at 7pm at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 7400 Hampton Boulevard.

They are asking the neighboring neighborhoods to come and support the Meadowbrook Civic League Proposal, and they need Civic League representatives from throughout the City to come and support them.  There is an online petition with 336 supporters so far.  Here is the link, please sign on: http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/save-meadowbrook-school-park.html

They also have a Facebook page where you can “LIKE” the Meadowbrook Civic League Position: https://www.facebook.com/SaveMeadowbrookSchoolPark

Capture

Comments Off on Public Forum regarding the redevelopment of Meadowbrook School site | economic development, Wards Corner Now | Tagged: | Permalink
Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

Public Invite: Harris Teeter Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

February 7, 2014
Harris Teeter Ribbon Cutting Invitation

Harris Teeter Ribbon Cutting Invitation

Harris Teeter is opening its newest store at 7550 Granby Street Norfolk, Va. on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014.

The grand opening commences with a ribbon cutting ceremony and speeches.  Speeches are expected from Store Director, Robert Maxson, and Norfolk Mayor, Paul Fraim, beginning at 8:00am.  The Ribbon Cutting is scheduled for 8:08am with doors opening at 8:10am.  The public is invited to this event.

Harry the Happy Dragon

Harry the Happy Dragon

Harris Teeter’s mascot, Harry the Happy Dragon, is expected to join in the festivities as well.

 

 

 

 

 

1 Comment | economic development | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

Joan Dalis signs a lease for Wards Corner property

December 10, 2013

WCmidtownOver a year after completing the new facade at the Midtown Shopping Center, Joan Dalis has finally made a move and signed a lease with a new tenant.

A lease was signed today with Firehouse Subs to enter the Wards Corner market.  They are scheduled to be located to the left of Pearl Vision.

I remain hopeful that Ms. Dalis can move expeditiously in filling the remaining vacancies in the Midtown Shopping Center.

 

Update: The original title to this entry has been edited as being a bit unprofessional.  Apologies to anyone it offended.

12 Comments | economic development, Uncategorized | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

Welcoming a new business to Wards Corner: Sentara Internal Medicine Physicians

November 22, 2013

sentaraI received the following press release today about the new Sentara Internal Medicine Physicians location at Wards Corner that is now open at the corner of Granby and North Shore Road:

Please join us in welcoming Jean Marie Kanyinda, MD to the Sentara Medical Group team! He will be providing care at our new Sentara Internal Medicine Physicians location at Ward’s Corner in Norfolk, opening November 18th. Dr. Kanyinda received his medical degree from the University of Padua, Italy, in 1978. He completed postgraduate training in gastroenterology and finished an internal medicine internship and infectious disease fellowship at Harlem Hospital in New York, NY. He then completed a second fellowship, in special immunology and specifically HIV, at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, FL. Dr. Kanyinda comes to us with over 20 years of experience providing comprehensive, quality healthcare.

Jean Marie Mpoy Kanyinda, MD
Internal Medicine
• MD – University of Padua
• Internal Medicine and
Infectious Disease Residencies –
Harlem Hospital
• Certified by the American
Board of Internal Medicine

Mon. & Fri., 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Tues. & Thurs., 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Wed., 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

7401 Granby Street
Norfolk, VA 23505

Jean Marie Mpoy Kanyinda, MD
Internal Medicine
757-388-9925

Comments Off on Welcoming a new business to Wards Corner: Sentara Internal Medicine Physicians | economic development, wards corner | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

Wards Corner’s new shopping center: “K &K Square at Wards Corner”

September 17, 2013

The new Harris Teeter anchored shopping center at the southeast corner of Wards Corner has a new name: K & K Square at Wards Corner.

K & K Toys, which existed on the property beginning in the 1970s, was the basis of the future “everything for a dollar” concept that gave birth to Dollar Tree.

The current tenant list for the new shopping center (from left to right, looking at the shopping center):  Starbucks, Subway, Great Clips, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Sleepy’s Mattresses, Harris Teeter, Albano Cleaners, GNC, nTelos Wireless, and a vacant 2100sf location.  The out-parcel will be a TowneBank branch.

Harris Teeter and the rest of the shopping center tenants are expected to open in February 2014.  TowneBank is expected to open in early summer 2014.

6 Comments | economic development | Tagged: | Permalink
Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

Art for Wards Corner

August 23, 2013

A meeting of the Wards Corner Public Art Planning Committee (WCPAPC) was held at the Selden Arcade on August 20, 2013.  City staff (Planning Department, Parks & Rec, Public Works), representatives of the community, and representatives of the Norfolk Public Art Commission were in attendance.

A Request for Proposals (RFP)  is in the early stages of being drafted by the WCPAPC.  The RFP will likely outline the possible locations for public art in the Wards Corner area.  Some of the preliminary areas identified included some of the medians on Granby Street, the HRT bus transfer station, and possibly some space in front of the new Harris Teeter anchored shopping center.  The RFP will also give direction for the site specific artwork but will likely be vague to allow for the artists to make unique proposals.

Once the RFP is finalized it will go out to artists nationally.  It is hoped that the RFP will be completed in time such that the artists responses will be due by the end of October.  The WCPAPC will then reconvene to review the submissions and work towards selecting an artist for the project.

The City of Norfolk currently has $150,000 to use for this public art project in Wards Corner.

3 Comments | economic development | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

TowneBank design for Wards Corner

June 27, 2013
TowneBank Wards Corner design. Construction is expected to begin in August.

TowneBank Wards Corner design. Construction is expected to begin in August.

 

The completed PDF scan of the design can be viewed by clicking here. (PDF)

5 Comments | economic development | Tagged: | Permalink
Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

Sidewalk concerns addressed with new Harris Teeter shopping center

June 25, 2013

Concerns were expressed at the last couple of Wards Corner Taskforce meetings about the sidewalks along Granby Street and E. Little Creek Road surrounding the new Harris Teeter Shopping Center being developed by Suburban Asset Management.  The sidewalks, in the past, were abutted up to the street and seen as a safety and aesthetic issue.  The preference was to push them a couple of feet back from the street to allow for a grass verge.

Representatives of the City of Norfolk and Suburban Asset Management met to address the citizens concerns and the following agreement was made:

1-Granby Street – there will be a 5 ft sidewalk and a 5 to 6 ft grass verge between the sidewalk and the curb. 

2-Little Creek – sidewalk will be 6 ft wide. There will not be a grass verge due to the tight space and the preference for landscaping behind the sidewalk. 

Dominion Virginia Power will be removing and replacing the sidewalks as a part of their efforts in burying the power lines in the area.

2 Comments | City Of Norfolk, economic development, Wards Corner Taskforce | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

Dollar Tree returning to Wards Corner

June 5, 2013
Dollar Tree is returning to Wards Corner in mid-late summer of 2013

Dollar Tree is returning to Wards Corner in mid-late summer of 2013

Dollar Tree will be returning to Wards Corner in the near future.  Dollar Tree’s roots are in Wards Corner where store #1 was located.  The Wards Corner Dollar tree closed last year to make way for the new Harris Teeter anchored shopping center that is currently under construction.

The new location will be at 7635 Granby St which is the location of the recently closed No. 1 Chinese Buffet.  The lease has been signed and both interior and exterior improvement are expected.  A new facade is expected as well.

A mid-late summer opening is expected.

 

9 Comments | economic development | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

Moe’s Southwest Grill coming to Wards Corner

May 24, 2013

20130524-192636.jpg
Updates on the Harris Teeter anchored Suburban Shopping Center:

Moe’s Southwest Grill has signed a lease to be a tenant in the new shopping center;

Harris Teeter’s construction trailer is on site and they are currently digging the footers for the store;

The rest of the shopping center is under construction and will be “out of the ground” in 30-45 days; and

TowneBank, the out parcel, is going through site plan review with the city and will likely start construction in August.

Thanks to Chris Perry for the above update.
-Martin Thomas Jr.

2 Comments | economic development | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

Norfolk Collegiate’s Center for the Arts Open House – March 1 @ 10:30am

February 26, 2013
Norfolk Collegiate Center for the Arts Grand Opening Invitation

Norfolk Collegiate Center for the Arts Grand Opening Invitation

Norfolk Collegiate will be holding an Open House on March 1, 2013 between 10:30am and 12:30pm to show off their brand new Center for the Arts.  This is open to the public and the Wards Corner community is encouraged to attend.

From the Virginian-Pilot: “The addition to the school’s campus includes a 425-seat theater, a set design studio, a chorus room, journalism suites, dressing rooms and art galleries. After a private dedication, an open house will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.”

 

1 Comment | economic development | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

“Norfolk poised to buy parcels of land” – Virginian-Pilot headline

January 16, 2013

Jill Nolin at the Virginian-Pilot wrote an article that was published today, January 16, 2013, indicating that the City of Norfolk is preparing to purchase blighted properties in Wards Corner and Ocean View.

The city is poised to spend millions in the coming weeks as it buys the former Travelers Inn in Ocean View and more property in the Denby Park area of Wards Corner as part of plans to revitalize struggling neighborhoods.

City officials were tight-lipped about the proposed Wards Corner deals, but Martin Thomas Jr., vice president of the Wards Corner Civic League and a member of the city’s planning commission, said residents have been pushing the city to focus on the 300 block of East Little Creek Road and the so-called “Texas streets” behind it.

. . .

In the current budget, city officials allocated $2 million for acquisitions in the Wards Corner area.

. . .

In Wards Corner, the city is looking to clean up the Denby Park area. The city has finished its negotiations, but a deal has not been completed, said Councilman Andy Protogyrou. He declined to comment further because of the “sensitivity of the process.”

Winn said city officials want to further reduce housing density in the area by targeting sites with apartment buildings. Last year, seven buildings in the 300 block of San Antonio Blvd. were torn down on property the city acquired for $2.7 million.

 

2 Comments | Andy Protogyrou, blight, City Of Norfolk, economic development, Virginian-Pilot | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

A few more new tenant announcements for Wards Corner

December 17, 2012

We all know that Harris Teeter and TowneBank are coming to the southeast corner of Wards Corner.  Now Inside Business reports that Great Clips and Albano Cleaners will be moving into the Harris Teeter anchored shopping center.

Robert Gurnee, vice president of Suburban Asset Management, said Great Clips hair salon and Albano Cleaners have signed leases for space in what will be the new Suburban Park Shopping Center.

In the works also are these businesses, not yet named – a sandwich shop, a vitamin supplement store, a mattress company, a Mexican restaurant and a cell phone company. The developer said it’s also in negotiations with a drive-through coffee house.

The full article can be read here.

2 Comments | economic development, Wards Corner Business District | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

Intermodal Connector to Link I-564 with Naval Station, NIT

December 16, 2012

Many thanks to Larry Tice, board member of the Suburban Acres Civic League, for providing this article.

A public meeting to solicit comments regarding the planned I-564 Intermodal Connector was held Tuesday evening Dec. 11th at Sewells Point Elementary School on Hampton Boulevard. The informal, informational session, held from 5 to 8 pm, was structured so visitors could move about among displays and maps, and ask questions of meeting representatives.

Representatives of VDOT, the Navy, City of Norfolk and Federal Highway Administration were available to answer questions.

Soliciting public input is a requirement of the National Environmental Policy Act in order to transfer land from the U.S. Navy to VDOT for the road. The Navy is preparing an Environmental Impact Assessment.

The planned four-lane divided connector, the first phase of the hoped for “Patriot’s Crossing”, or third crossing to the Peninsula, would extend from the existing Route I-564 on the east at the current International Terminal Boulevard ramp to Naval Station Norfolk’s Virginia Avenue on the west. Going West-bound motorists would travel on a new road running parallel to I-564 between the interstate branch and Chambers Field; the new road would cross I-564 via a flyover just before the runway overpass and head West, crossing Hampton Boulevard at the site of the current Naval Station Gate 6. The western terminus of the connector would branch into a new, relocated Naval Station Gate 6, Norfolk International Terminals, and existing Naval Station Norfolk truck inspection station. Eventually travelers could continue on to the Patriot’s Crossing.

The site where the connector crosses Hampton Boulevard is close to current construction on the Boulevard that will carry vehicle traffic underneath relocated rail road tracks. The site plan also notes future high occupancy vehicle lanes along the connector, and new rail road tracks.

The proposed road runs across the southern portion of the Navy’s Fleet Recreation Park, which was home to the Fleet Park Little League for decades until the end of the 2011 season. The little league was evicted based on the Naval Station’s 2009 Air Installations Compatible Use Zones (AICUZ) study, which concluded the fields were in a designated “clear zone”, or likely crash zone near the approach to the Chambers Field Runway. The connector’s proposed path bisects the site, running over the former T-ball fields.

When asked if the proximity to the clear zone made the proposed route dangerous, meeting representatives said the proposed route was located “just outside of” the clear zone.

The project is planned so that an Air Terminal Interchange could be added in the future for additional access onto the Naval Station.

The Federal Highway Administration is still taking comments on the project through January 11th.  Comments and questions can be sent to Mr. Jack Van Dop, FHWA-EFLHD, 21400 Ridgetop Circle, Sterling, VA 20166, (703)404-6282, or by email to Jack.VanDop@dot.gov.

Planners hope to complete environmental assessment documents by Spring of 2013 and award a design-build contract by Summer 2013. The project is targeted for completion by September 2015.

A preliminary map of the work is here (PDF).

Special to WardsCornerNow.com from The Suburban,

Newsletter of the Suburban Acres Civic League.

By Larry Tice

1 Comment | economic development, Infrastructures | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

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