Lafayette-Winona Middle School Transformation

April 24, 2014

Dr. Brad Robinson, a member of the Norfolk School Board, passes along the following information about the Lafayette-Winona Middle School Transformation meetings:

lwsApril 24: An information session is scheduled at Lafayette-Winona for parents of rising LWMS sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students.  At the meeting, parents will receive an overview from Dr. King, followed by a personalized letter from the principal of their proposed receiving middle school and a presentation from that principal.  Parents also will receive information about specialty programs such as the Academy of International Studies at Rosemont  (5:30 p.m. at LWMS).


April 28: A School Board public hearing is scheduled to receive public input regarding the proposed closure of Lafayette-Winona Middle School.  Following that meeting, the School Board will make a final decision regarding the
closure  (6 p.m. at LWMS).

Check the NPS web site for more details: www.npsk12.com

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Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

FY2015 Budget and Wards Corner

April 23, 2014

City Manager Marcus Jones presented his 2015 City Budget last night to City Council.  It is a whopping 652 pages.  You can view it on the City of Norfolk website here.  I have also put a copy on Wards Corner Now’s servers for download (17MB, PDF).

The following are sections of the budget that I found to related to the greater Wards Corner area:

Terminal Blvd

Terminal Blvd

Repair Terminal Blvd. Concrete Pavement. (page 493)
Project Description:  Provide funds to rehabilitate failing concrete pavement along Terminal Blvd. The roadway consists of a reinforced concrete surface that was built by Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) in 1973. It carries over 6,000 trucks in each direction daily. The total cost to repair the road by replacing sections of concrete is estimated at $7.0 million, $3.5 million for each side of the road. This project is partially funded through the VDOT revenue sharing program at 50 percent of the total project cost.

This budget proposes  $1,750,000 in 2015 and $1,750,000 in the 2016 budget.

 

Implement Wards Corner Neighborhood Plan (NP) (page 531)
Project Description:  Provide funds to support activities outlined in the Wards Corner Neighborhood Plan. Funding for this project also supports land acquisition, infrastructure improvements, and redevelopment initiatives that allow the strategic revitalization of the area in accordance with the Wards Corner Neighborhood Plan. Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NRHA) will provide support to this project in an effort to meet the goals of the Wards Corner Neighborhood Plan.

Marcus proposes $1 million in this 2015 budget for the Wards Corner plan.  We can assume that this money will go to the continued efforts to purchase and remove the blighted properties in and around Denby Park.

Prior year budget allocations:
2010: $1,010,000
2011: $1,767,500
2012: $1,000,000
2013: $1,000,000
2014: $1,000,000

Coming soon: A new Granby Street bridge?

Coming soon: A new Granby Street bridge?

Repair and Replace Bridges – Major (page 495)
Project Description: Provide funds for the replacement, repair, upgrade, or demolition of key bridge structures that are in significant stages of deterioration. FY 2015 funding will be used for the replacement of Pescara Creek Culvert, Spotico Creek Culvert, design of Granby Street Bridge  over Lafayette River, and the rehabilitation of the Botetourt Street Pedestrian Bridge

This proposed budget allocates $1,000,000 to the above bridge repair and replacement.  Included in that allocation is money for the design of a (new?) Granby Street Bridge.

The current span was built in 1979.  It is 992.1 feet long and handles about 30,000 vehicles per day.  It was last inspected by VDOT in October of 2012 at which time the deck condition was rated as Satisfactory and the Super & Sub conditions were Fair.

 

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Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

Wards Corner Task Force meeting minutes – April 2014

April 13, 2014

Thanks to Karen Mayne for the following meeting minutes from the April 10, 2014 meeting:

The Greater Wards Corner Task Force Meeting

April 10, 2014

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

Police Reports

Future police reports will include the entire area of the Greater Wards Corner Task Force so that neighborhoods will know what is happening throughout the area.

Public Art

Karen Rudd, Manger of Norfolk’s Cultural Affairs, provided an overview of the artist who was selected to design the public art for Wards Corner.  Gordon Huether of Napa, California, will come to Norfolk in several weeks to look at the area and meet with the public arts selection committee and the developers of K&K Square and Midtown Shopping Center.  The City has allocated $150,000 for the project, which should take about a year to complete.  The City’s public art program is funded through donations and from a set-aside of 1 percent of all Capital Improvement Projects over $500,000.  Norfolk leads the way in the region in its support of public art projects.

Public Works

Karen Mayne reported on a meeting between the Norfolk Right-of-Way/Transportation staff and task force representatives.  The group discussed traffic congestion and signaling around the intersection of Little Creek and Granby Street.  Traffic engineers will wait to see how traffic moves through the intersection at the new K&K Square before deciding whether to turn the right northbound lane on Granby Street at Little Creek Road into a right turn only lane.  There is concern that doing so could create a hazard to pedestrians.  The new traffic light that will be installed on Little Creek Road between the K&K Square and Midtown Shopping Center should help with traffic in that area.  It was requested that the City consider reestablishing the audio-visual crossing signal for pedestrians at that light, but the FHWA has new rules that may make such a signal cost prohibitive.  The issue of illegal left turns coming out of Virginian Drive onto Little Creek Road has no structural solution due to the narrowness of the road; enforcement is the best solution.  The City will be repairing/replacing the faux-brick crosswalks with a new and stronger material.

Department of Development

Sam’s Club will rebuild at the old K-Mart property after demolishing the building.  Wal-Mart is proposing a gas station as part of this project.

The Albano’s Cleaners in Titustown on Little Creek Road is closing.  The company is restructuring its business.  A new Albano’s will be at K&K Square.

The demolition of the Denby Park properties acquired by the City last year was delayed by the winter weather and should be completed in May.

Community Reports

The rezoning of the Talbot Hall property to allow for the construction of 14 private homes and roads will go before the planning commission on April 24.

Dr. Barbara Laws of Norfolk Public Schools has been named the 2014 National Supervision/Administrator Art Educator of the Year by the National Art Education Association.  The award recognizes exemplary contributions, service, and achievements of art educators.  (Dr. Laws also serves on the committee that selected Gordon Huether for the public art at Wards Corner.)  Congratulations, Barbara!!

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Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

Reminder: Wards Corner Community Day at K & K Square This Saturday!

April 10, 2014

Capture
Wards Corner Community Day
K & K Square
This Saturday, April 12, 11am – 3pm
Free and Open to the Public
Rain Date April 13

The merchants of K & K Square and the Virginia Arts Festival have planned a fun filled day for families to enjoy the wonderful new shops and services in their neighborhood.  Enjoy live music, food and raffle prizes, mini cupcakes from Twisted Sisters and activities for the entire family.

Kids will definitely have lots to do, from a bounce house, to face painting, to stilt walkers, jugglers and crafts. All of the activities are outside, so come and go as you please.

Join the wonderful merchants of K &K Square; Harris Teeter, Subway, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Starbucks, TowneBank, Albano Cleaners, GNC, nTelos, and Great Clips as they welcome you to Wards Corner Community Day at K & K Square.

Raffle Prizes include: Gift Cards to Starbucks & Moe’s Southwest Grill, Tickets to Virginia Arts Festival performances of Dance Theater of Harlem, Ben-Hur, and Virginia International Tattoo, Kindle, Blu-Ray Player, $500 Harris Teeter Shopping card, and even an iPad Air!

Media support provided by 92.9 The Wave and 97.3 The Eagle

Performances:

Glasgow Kiss                11:00 am

On the Bright Side         12:00 pm

The Rhythm Project         1:00 pm

Rust City Ramblers         2:00 pm

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Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

Sam’s Club coming to old Kmart location

April 9, 2014

samsThe Virginian-Pilot is reporting that Sam’s Club will be building a store at the old Kmart location at Tidewater Driven and E. Little Creek Road.  The story:

Sam’s Club plans to open its first Norfolk store at the site of the former Kmart on East Little Creek Road and Tidewater Drive, according to documents filed with the city on Monday.

Sam’s – part of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. – is requesting permission to sell tires and alcohol for off-premise consumption. The company also wants to build a gas station that would serve the new Sam’s Club and an existing Wal-Mart to the south.

Sam’s plans to tear down the Kmart building that sits on the southeast side of the intersection of East Little Creek and Tidewater. In its place, the company would build a 135,000-square-foot warehouse for its club members, according to preliminary site plans issued with the requests.

Kmart occupied the location for nearly 40 years, but it closed last summer after officials of Sears Holdings Corp., Kmart’s beleaguered parent company, decided to close many stores across the country.

Norfolk Development Director Steven Anderson told the City Council on Tuesday that Sam’s is expected to generate $800,000 in annual sales tax revenue from $80 million in annual sales.

The store will cost $20 million and create 180 jobs, he said. An opening date has not been set.

Norfolk already is home to BJ’s Wholesale Club and Costco Wholesale, which are half a mile apart near Military Circle. Sam’s Club already has four stores in the region: two in Chesapeake and one each in Virginia Beach and Newport News.

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Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

Debates to be held at Granby High on April 15, 2014

April 8, 2014

The Norfolk Branch NAACP, the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, and the League of Women Voters of South Hampton Roads are joining together to sponsor two political debates in April 2014.

First:  On Tuesday, April 15, 2014 in the Granby High School Auditorium from 7PM to 8:30PM.   Ms. Barbara Hamm Lee from WHRO will moderator the event.

On Stage:
Mayoral candidates – Mayor Paul Fraim, Michael Muhammad and Jane Bethel
Ward 5 candidates – Councilman Tommy Smigiel and Jim Driggers

Second:  On Tuesday, April 17, 2014 in the Booker T. Washington High School Auditorium from 7PM to 8:30PM.  Dr. Carol Pretlow, Associate Professor, NSU, will moderate the event.

On Stage:
Ward 3 candidates – William Collins, Jr.; Mamie Johnson; Glen Jones, Sr.; Rodney Jordan; Marcus Powell; and Lionell Spruill, Jr.
Ward 4 candidates – Councilman Paul Riddick and Billy Cook

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The Ballentine to be expanded, renovated

March 24, 2014

 

The Ballentine is an assisted living community at 7211 Granby St.

The Ballentine is an assisted living community at 7211 Granby St.

The Ballentine, an assisted living community located across from the Greek Church on Granby, is embarking on a $2 million renovation and expansion.

Per the contractor’s press release:

Sauer Inc. has won a $2 million contract to renovate and build additions to an assisted living facility in Norfolk, Va.

The Jacksonville contractor will do interior renovations at The Ballentine and build three, two-story additions, a solarium, a nurse’s station, a dining hall, a lounge, an activities room, sitting areas and a conference room, it said in a new release. The work involves 40,000 square feet.

Sauer expects to complete the project in November.

The owner of The Ballentine is Commonwealth Assisted Living, based in Charlottesville, Va. and the architect is The Yates Group of Portsmouth, Va.

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Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

Wards Corner Community Day at K & K Square – April 12, 2014

March 21, 2014
Wards Community Day Invitation (PDF)

Wards Community Day Invitation (PDF)

K & K Square will be holding a Wards Corner Community Day on April 12, 2014 from 11a.m – 3p.m.  Live music will be provided by Glasgow Kiss, On the Bright Side, Rhythm Project, and the Rust City Ramblers.

There will be activities for the kids including a bounce house, face painting, crafts, a juggler, and a stilt walker.  Cupcakes, popcorn and hot dogs will be available as well.

The PDF invitation can be viewed here.

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Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

Mattress store to replace BP gas station at Wards Corner

March 19, 2014
7600 Granby St to become home of a new mattress store

7600 Granby St to become home of a new mattress store

The BP gas station at the northeast corner of Wards Corner has been on the market for quite some time.  Recently it was rumored that there was a contract to purchase the property.  Various leaks are now confirming that the purchaser plans to build a retail building on the property and the expected tenant is a mattress store.

The likely tenant type was mentioned at the Wards Corner Civic League meeting on Monday night and most comments were negative as there is already a mattress store at Wards Corner.

The property is currently zoned C-3 and will likely not need to be rezoned for the new use.

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Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

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

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Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

Wards Corner Task Force notes from February 13, 2014

February 16, 2014

Many thanks to Karen Mayne for keeping these notes:

The Greater Wards Corner Task Force Meeting

February 13, 2014

City Council Member Andy Protogyrou led the meeting.

Parking on the Grass on West Little Creek Road – Leonard Newcomb, Norfolk Zoning Services Manager, said that the City has sent letters to the houses in the 100 – 600 blocks of West Little Creek Road about parking on the grass.  The City will continue to use enforcement but is also trying to find a way to work with property owners to expand driveways.

Public Works

Medians along Granby Street that were damaged during the recent gas line and road work will be restored – damaged vegetation and sprinkler systems will be replaced.  Anchor poles on the southeast side of Granby at Little Creek will be removed by Virginia Power once the weather improves.  The City is looking at potential changes to turn lanes at the southeast junction of Granby and Little Creek and plans to install a traffic signal on East Little Creek Road at K&K Square.  After the task force’s discussion of traffic congestion, traffic lights, illegal turns, etc. in this area, the City will convene a small working group of task force members to further discuss these issues.

Construction work on the underpass replacement at the East Little Creek Road/Tidewater Drive intersection will start on February 17.  More information on this significant project can be found at:  www.norfolk.gov/index.aspx?NID=282

Department of Development

The new Director of Development, Steven Anderson, was introduced.  The City’s façade improvement program is being revised.

Harris Teeter will open on February 19 and other stores in K&K Square shortly thereafter.

The BP gas station property is under contract and should go to closing soon.  The underground gasoline tanks must be removed.  A one to three bay retail building is being considered; the City has not seen a site plan.  Driveways to this property may be enlarged – City will have to approve the building and its driveways.

Community Reports

Artist Gordon Heuther of Napa, California has been selected to design the public art for Wards Corner; the contract has not been finalized.   He will come to Norfolk to meet with residents before finalizing his design.  His website can be found at: http://www.gordonhuether.com/

Talbot Hall Update – The Talbot Hall property, owned by the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia, is under contract with a group of local residents.  The new owners propose to build 14 private homes on the 6+ acre property, while maintaining the manor house on ½ acre and setting up a foundation to restore and open it to the public.  The Talbot Park Civic League has invited the new owners to speak to the civic league about their plans.

 

Meadowbrook School – The City issued requests for proposals for the redevelopment of several unused school properties around the city, which have been unveiled and a public comment period is underway.  A public meeting will be held on February 19 at 7:00 pm at the Church of the Good Shepherd to discuss the potential redevelopment of the former Meadowbrook Elementary property.  The Meadowbrook Civic League is opposed to development of apartments or condos on this site.

Next Meeting – There were requests to discuss the crime statistics for the area, the proposed school redistricting plans and how that will affect the Wards Corner area, and the public art project.

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Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

Some preliminary Light Rail extension routes come through Wards Corner

February 14, 2014
Potential Light Rail Extension Routes

Potential Light Rail Extension Routes

The Norfolk Naval Base Light Rail Extension Study is underway.  As a result of a number of public meetings, 17 different preliminary routes for the extension have been identified with a number of those preliminary routes coming through Wards Corner.

Here is the complete PDF document with all of the preliminary routes identified thus far:  Norfolk Naval Base Light Rail Study_Prelim options (PDF).  These routes are not exclusive; the final route may very well be a combination of the preliminary routes or a completely different route.

Hampton Roads Transit will be holding more public input meetings to receive input on the preliminary routes.  The public is invited and encouraged to attend.  Those meetings are scheduled as follows:

Feb. 24, 6p to 7:30, Granby High School

Feb. 25, 6p to 7:30, ODU,  Ted Constant Convocation Center

Feb. 26, 6p to 7:30, Downtown Marriott

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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

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Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

Wards Corner Task Force meeting Thursday @ 8:30am

February 9, 2014

Reminder and invitation for everyone to attend:

The Greater Wards Corner Task Force Meeting
8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Thursday, February 13, 2013
Norfolk Fitness and Wellness Center
7300 Newport Avenue, Norfolk, Virginia

Agenda

1. Police Reports

2. Parking on the grass – Leonard Newcomb, Zoning Services Manager

3. Traffic Patterns – John Keifer, Director, Public Works

4. Medians – John Keifer, Director, Public Works

5. BP Gas Station/Development Updates – Michael Cutter, Business Development Manager

6. Reports
– Public Art
– Community
– Schools

7. New Business

The next task force meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 10, 2014,
at 8:30 a.m. at the Norfolk Fitness and Wellness Center

1 Comment | Wards Corner Taskforce | 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.

 

 

 

 

 

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Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

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