Attend the W. C. Taskforce meeting on 10/10/2013

October 9, 2013

A few of the agenda items that we expect to discuss at the Taskforce meeting on October 10, 2013 are below.  The public, as always, is welcome to the meeting held at the Fitness and Wellness Center on Newport Ave at 8:30am.

The BP Gas Station at the corner of Granby and Little Creek:   The property is currently under contract and the developer is seeking an end user (not a gas station).

Parking lot lights at  the Wards Corner Shopping Center:  The owners were contacted about the lights being manually turned off around 9 p.m. Dollar Tree remains open until 10 p.m. The lack of lighting has been creating a safety concern for customers and employees.  The property owners have agreed to place the lights at the Wards Corner Shopping Center on an automatic timer.  Canopy lights were replaced.

City purchased properties in Denby Park:  The City acquired 308, 317, 319, 321 and 325 East Little Creek Road; 328, 334 and 338 Fort Worth in support of the Greater Wards Corner Comprehensive Plan.  Demolition is scheduled to begin on October 21st with a timeline of 30-60 days.

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Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

Norfolk seeks to commission an artist to design and create artwork for Wards Corner

October 3, 2013
Picture (Device Independent Bitmap) 1
The City of Norfolk, Virginia seeks to commission an artist to
design and create artwork for Wards Corner.
Revitalization of the once bustling Wards Corner shopping area is now underway.  What was once known as the
“Times Square of the South,” is being refurbished with a vibrant new mix of retail, entertainment and local services.
The Wards Corner Public Art Planning Committee seeks an artist to design and create artwork that is friendly and inviting and will cause viewers to pause and reflect.  The committee hopes the final artwork will unify and mark a cohesive neighborhood that honors
its history with a new playful point of view.  The final artwork should be eye-catching,
unique and bring color, fun and vibrancy to this urban threshold.
    Budget:     up to $150,000
Deadline for Submission:  2:00 PM EST, October 31, 2013
Project description:  http://norfolkpublicart.org/artist-opportunities/call-to-artists/
 
Find National Artist Opportunities here or by following us on Facebook!
CULTURAL AFFAIRS / SELDEN ARCADE / 208 E. MAIN ST. NORFOLK, VA 23510 /

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Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

Norfolk Constitutional Officer Candidate Forum

September 29, 2013

Kevin Janney, president of the Suburban Acres Civic League, asks that we share an invitation to their Candidate Forum:

Suburban Acres Civic League is hosting a Norfolk Constitutional Officer Candidate Forum on Monday evening October 14th at Suburban Park Elementary School, 310 Thole Street.  Doors open at 6 pm for refreshments; meeting/candidate forum starts at 6:30.

Confirmed candidates:

Commissioner of Revenue candidates:  Evans Poston and Sherry Battle-Edmonds

Treasurer candidates:  Vice Mayor Anthony Burfoot and James McDonnell

Sheriff candidates:  Sheriff Robert McCabe, Sean Jones, Neil Bradley

Format:

This is not a debate; candidates will not address each other directly.  Each candidate will have up to five minutes for remarks, then another 5 minutes to entertain questions from the audience.

 

1 Comment | Candidate Forum | Tagged: , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

Update on stalled construction at DePaul Medical Center

September 24, 2013
Proposed Cancer Institute at DePaul Medical Center, Norfolk, VA

Proposed Cancer Institute at DePaul Medical Center, Norfolk, VA

You may have noticed that the construction activity at the new medical office building at DePaul Medical Center has stopped over the past few weeks.  I reached out to Bon Secours and got an update.

Because of the soil composition and the requirements of the doctors who will be tenants, it was determined that the piles that were being driven would not be able to handle the load.  The plans are being redone as we speak.  The depth of the piles will likely increase from 45ft to 90ft.

Pile driving is expected to resume on September 26th.

2 Comments | DePaul Hospital | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

Taskforce Meeting minutes from September 12, 2013

September 18, 2013

Thanks again to Karen Mayne for the following minutes:

 

The Greater Wards Corner Task Force Meeting

September 12, 2013

Council Members Barclay Winn and Terry Whibley were present.

Police Reports

Police reports for Wards Corner precincts will be given to the task force in written format rather than announced by a police officer.  This will allow the Community Resource Officers to focus their time on attending civic league meetings for more in-depth discussions of issues of concern to the neighborhoods.

Department of Development

Suburban Park Shopping Center Update – The shopping center will have a new name:  K and K Square at Wards Corner.  This name will honor Kenneth and Katherine Perry, who founded the original shopping center.  Harris Teeter is ahead of schedule on construction, with a possible opening date of February 2014.  All spaces in the shopping center are leased except one at the southern end.  It is hoped a local eatery will lease the space.

The BP gas station on the northeast corner is under contract by a developer, who is looking for an end user (not another gas station) with a potential building space of about 4000 square feet, plus on-site parking.  One potential lessor is 7-11.  The civic league representatives agreed that they are not interested in having a 7-11 at this location.  The asking price for the property is $750,000.  The group discussed the possibility of the City purchasing the property for a small open space for the public art that is planned for Wards Corner.

Update on Budget Priorities

The City has allocated $1 million for the current fiscal year for Wards Corner redevelopment efforts.  For the past three years, the priority has been to use the annual allocations for acquisition of blighted properties in the Denby Park.  The task force confirmed that acquisition of properties in that area remains the priority.  It will take about $4.5 – $5 million to finish acquisition of blighted properties.  Demolition should begin soon on the properties the City acquired last year – all required demolition permits have been received.

Update on Norfolk Southern Railroad

It was clarified that Norfolk Southern does not have plans to expand a storage yard adjacent to Terminal Boulevard.  There are, however, additional container trains coming to the port, which sometimes back up in that area for loading and unloading at Norfolk International Terminal.

Community Reports

The Public Art Committee for Wards Corner has a Request for Proposals out for artists to submit ideas for a public art concept for Wards Corner.  Proposals are due to the committee in October.

The Suburban Acres Civic League submitted requests to the City’s traffic division regarding through trucks on Virginian Drive, and parking on both sides of the 100 block of Suburban Parkway in the vicinity of Norfolk Collegiate.  The civic league would like the “no through trucks” signs restored on Virginian, and a return to single-sided parking on Suburban Parkway.  The civic league is also concerned about an exterior light that has been out on Suburban Park Elementary since spring.  No action has been taken despite a Norfolk Cares request.

Suburban Park Elementary needs a new American flag – the old one was removed last year and not replaced.

Parking on the grass at residences along West Little Creek Road is of ongoing concern.  Police will look into this enforcement issue.

The lighting situation in the Wards Corner Shopping Center is a safety concern to the public and police.  Most of the parking lot lighting is turned off at about 9:00 pm, even though Dollar Tree is open until 10:00 pm.  The Department of Development will talk to the owners of the shopping center and Rite Aid about leaving the lights on until all stores are closed.

The City will host a Front Porch Summit for civic leagues on October 19th at the Southside Aquatics Center.

2 Comments | Wards Corner Taskforce | 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.

Man behind some Wards Corner property crimes arrested

September 11, 2013

 

Keith Maurice Jones

Keith Maurice Jones

Taken from the WVEC website:

NORFOLK — Police arrested  man they say provided vehicles from an illegal vehicle rental agency to suspects involved in multiple burglaries in August and September.

According to Norfolk Police spokeswoman Karen Parker-Chesson, Keith Maurice Jones, 40, of the 2000 block of Piedmont Avenue in Portsmouth,  purchased vehicles from the city using a false business named “Quick Rentals, Inc.”

Parker-Chesson says Jones then titled and registered the vehicles to “March-E Fragrances” and likely knew what the vehicles were used for.

According to police, the following burglary/residential incidents occurred with suspect vehicles all registered to “March-E Fragrances.”

August 22, 2013, 500 block of Timothy Avenue (suspects arrested)
August 23, 2013, 100 block of W. Bayview Boulevard (suspects arrested)
August 28, 2013, 8400 block of Lynn River Road (no arrests)
September 2, 2013, 300 block of Lakebridge Drive (no arrests)

Parker-Chesson said on August 24, a vehicle registered to “March-E Fragrances” was stopped for a traffic infraction.  The driver of the vehicle led investigators to additional vehicles.

Authorities said Jones also had some of the vehicles crushed at a Chesapeake salvage yard.

Warrants are issued charging Jones with 22 counts each of obtaining documents from DMV when not entitled thereto, altering or forging certificate of title or registration card, unlawfully transacting or offering to transact business as a corporation without authorization.

Jones is being held at the Norfolk City Jail.

The investigation is ongoing.  Anyone with information is asked to call the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.

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Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

Have you see these suspects?

September 2, 2013

There have been a rash of break-ins in the greater Wards Corner area.  The picture below shows suspects that should be reported to the Norfolk Police Department.  Call the NPD Burglary Unit at (757) 664-7011 or the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.

Have you seen these suspects? These suspects are believed to have been involved in a burglary in Talbot Park on Whiting Street. Call the NPD Burglary Unit at (757) 664-7011 or the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.

Have you seen these suspects? These suspects are believed to have been involved in a burglary in Talbot Park on Whiting Street. Call the NPD Burglary Unit at (757) 664-7011 or the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.

2 Comments | crime | 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.

Dollar Tree Back in Wards Corner

August 5, 2013

Thanks to The Suburban, the Newsletter of the Suburban Acres Civic League, for the following article.

Dollar TreeThe new, 7500 square foot Dollar Tree is open at Wards Corner in the space formerly occupied by the Number 1 China restaurant at 7635 Granby Street.  The store opened July 17th, and celebrated its grand opening on the 19th.

Dollar Tree’s Store No. 5000 returns to Wards Corner where the chain began.  K.R. Perry’s Norfolk Ben Franklin stores and the “5 & 10” area of K.R. Perry, Doug Perry, and Macon Brock’s K & K Toys were the basis of the future “everything for a dollar” concept. In 1986 “Only $1.00” Store Number 1 opened in Wards Corner along with two other Virginia stores, and one each in Tennessee and Georgia.

The K & K Toys side of the business was sold off to KB Toys so the business could focus on their everything for a dollar concept; the name of the stores was changed from Only $1.00 to Dollar Tree in 1993.  Dollar Tree Stores is now a publicly traded company, and earned a place in the Fortune 500 in 2008.

The former Wards Corner Dollar Tree store in Suburban Park Shopping Center closed last year to make way for the site’s redevelopment.

Store Manager John Corwin is excited to welcome the customers back and said, “We are just really glad to be back in Wards Corner.”  Corwin said all or the store’s associates are new hires, but two of the assistant managers are from the previous Wards Corner Store.

Corwin came from the Dollar Tree Deals side of the company, and has been with Dollar Tree for about a year.  Corwin’s prior retail experience includes 11 years with Dollar General, where he was a district manager.

The new Dollar Tree is spacious, and includes a refrigerated and frozen foods section.

Dollar Tree’s first distribution center, its store support center, and company headquarters are located in Chesapeake.

 

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Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

Oakdale Farm and Denby Park to host National Night Out

July 9, 2013

Wards Corner Now received the following about National Night Out to be hosted by Oakdale Farms and Denby Park.  The event will be held on August 6, 2013 on San Antonio Blvd starting at 6pm.

Hello,
My name is Tricia Duncan and I am part of the Norfolk Task Force. On August 6th Oakdale Farms and Denby Park are Hosting National Night Out. This is a event to help strike back at Crime by bringing the community together. We would love your business to come out and meet your neighbors, City officials, public safety partners and others who support safe communities! We are providing free information booths and would love it if you would join us. Set up is around 3pm. That evening we will be having a parade and after the parade the community will filter back to the celebration area where live music and free food will await them. We would love for you to come out and support our neighborhoods. You may provide information to the community for free at this event. You are also invited to participate in the parade if you would like.
For more information or to reserve a booth please contact Tricia Duncan at 757-374-532 or Triciaduncan78@gmail.com

Tricia Duncan
Norfolk Task Force

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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.

Wards Corner Task Force meeting minutes – June 13, 2013

June 17, 2013

Thanks to Karen Mayne for the following minutes:

The Greater Wards Corner Task Force Meeting

June 13, 2013

Council Members Barclay Winn, Andy Protogyrou, and Terry Whibley, and Mayor Paul Fraim were present.  Mr. Wynter Benda was introduced as the new Assistant City Manager who has been assigned to the Wards Corner area.  Mr. Benda can be reached at 757-664-4263.

Talbot Hall Update – Jay Taylor

Talbot Hall is up for sale by the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia for $4.25 million.  Harvey Lindsay is the listing agent.  The private non-profit organization, Talbot Hall Foundation, is working with the Diocese and Harvey Lindsay to raise funds to purchase the property for permanent protection.  The Foundation hopes to raise funds through a public/private partnership using grants and donations.  It also envisions establishing an endowment to maintain the property using historic and environmental easements that would be sold for tax credits.  The Foundation hopes the City will contribute towards the preservation of these 8 acres of waterfront property on the Lafayette River and plans to make a presentation to City Council regarding its proposal.  Task Force members agreed to discuss at the next meeting (September) as to whether the City should dedicate any of the Wards Corner funding towards the acquisition and protection of Talbot Hall.

Department of Public Works

Tidewater Drive Infrastructure Improvement Projects are getting underway along the section between East Little Creek Road and Roland Park.  A handout was provided with the various types of improvements and timelines, which are scheduled to continue through the winter of 2015.  For more detailed information, go to www.norfolk.gov and type in the keyword:  Tidewater Projects.

Virginia Natural Gas continues to replace sections of its underground lines in the City as part of its statewide program to ensure the reliability and safety of its pipelines.  VNG works closely with the Department of Utilities on these projects.  The Granby Street Project is nearing completion.  Three upcoming pipeline replacement projects in the vicinity include the East Little Creek I Project, the West Little Creek II Street Project, and the Louisiana Drive Project.  The City provided a handout that explains the VNG program and local projects.  This information can be found at the City’s website at www.norfolk.gov using the keyword:  VNG.

Utilities – Sewer line replacement projects continue in the area and are close to being finished.  Utilities will soon be starting on the replacement of a 20” water main along the Norfolk Southern railroad tracks adjacent to I-564.  Norfolk Southern has constructed a new siding along the area.  City Council representatives requested more information about this rail siding at the September meeting.  Concern was expressed about impacts to the neighborhood to the south of the railroad siding.

Department of Development

Suburban Park Shopping Center Update – The City will be starting on the road changes at Granby Street and Louisiana Drive, which will include a traffic signal and turn lanes.  The HRT bus stop will be removed.   The road construction, along with gas line replacement work by Virginia Natural Gas, and undergrounding of the power lines by Virginia Power, will be timed to be completed for the opening of the shopping center in 2014.  Construction has started on the Harris Teeter portion and will soon start on the rest of the buildings.  The issue of the sidewalk right-of-way along Little Creek Road was discussed again.  Suburban Asset Management has agreed to talk with the City about moving the sidewalk away from the road for pedestrian safety.  SAM’s landscaping plan is currently under review by the City.  A question was raised as to whether the former audio-visual crosswalk system between the north and south side of Little Creek road will be replaced.  The City said there is not currently funding in the Utilities program for its replacement, but that residents can request it for possible future funding.

Dollar Tree has leased and started renovations on the site of the former China Buffet.  Since Wards Corner was the site of Dollar Tree’s first store, the company plans to make this new store their flagship.

The City is still talking with the owners of the Farm Fresh property about the demolition and redevelopment of the old building beside the store.  The property is up for sale but is not being marketed.  The City hopes that a small shopping strip or restaurant could go in this site, which fronts on Admiral Taussig Boulevard.  It was mentioned that lighting of the Farm Fresh parking lot needs to be improved since some people are hesitant to shop there at night.  The parking lot also floods in some areas and needs repaving.

Sentara has lease the former ATC Fitness site on the southeast corner of Wards Corner and plans to develop an urgent care facility.

Community Reports

The Denby Park/Cottage Row/Oakdale Farms community will be the site of the August 6, 2013 Night Out event in Norfolk.  The theme will be “Growing a Better Community.” The civic league is looking for volunteers and sponsors. Those interested in helping should contact LaCrystal Locks at 757-348-6739 or RJ Luce at 757-404-8072.

 

1 Comment | Wards Corner Taskforce | Tagged: | Permalink
Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

Internship opportunities in Suburban Acres/Granby Park/Glen Echo Shores

June 13, 2013

Rising Juniors and Seniors who attend Granby High School, Norfolk Collegiate School, or Norfolk Christian Schools or who live in Suburban Acres/Granby Park/Glen Echo Shores

Interested in government, business, volunteerism, political science, or community development?  This scholarship funds tuition and

registration fees for the following three activities /program areas through the summer and fall:

July 17-19, 2013 eXcel, a 3-day youth leadership program of LEAD Hampton Roads and the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, that prepares youth for leadership positions within the community and region.

September 19-20, 2013 14th Annual Virginia Statewide Neighborhood Conference, Virginia Beach Resort Hotel & Conference Center. VSNC offers a special youth track of workshops focusing on community development, organization, and advocacy.

Civics Comes Home to Norfolk, August 6 & one other date TBA.  The Suburban Acres Civic League will offer two activities during the summer focusing on local community groups and their interaction with local government and business.

FULL APPLICATION PACKAGE AND INSTRUCTIONS AT www.suburban23505.com

Application Deadline is June 21, 2013

Comments Off on Internship opportunities in Suburban Acres/Granby Park/Glen Echo Shores | Uncategorized | Tagged: | Permalink
Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

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