Message to Norfolk City Council: Restore the funding to Wards Corner

April 19, 2013
WVEC Funding to help revitalize Wards Corner neighborhood slashed

WVEC Funding to help revitalize Wards Corner neighborhood slashed

WVEC is reporting on the reduced funding planned for the Wards Corner Neighborhood plan.  Their article and video can be viewed on their website.

I encourage you to contact City Council either by email or by attending the public budget hearing scheduled for Wednesday, April 24 at 6pm at Granby High School.  Their contact info is located on the City Council website: http://www.norfolk.gov/index.aspx?NID=533

The WVEC article:

NORFOLK — For years the City of Norfolk would allocate millions of dollars to revitalizing the Wards Corner area, but this year the funds are getting slashed.

City spokeswoman Lori Crouch says the City Manager was able to scrape and provide $750,000 for the proposed FY 2014 budget.

“The city is fiscally stressed,” said Crouch.

Here’s how the numbers break down:

Year                   Allocation for Implementation of the Wards Corner Plan
2014                  $750,000 (proposed)
2013                  $2,000,000
2012                  $1,000,000
2011                  $1,767,500

Less money being allocated to the neighborhood isn’t sitting well with residents, businesses owners or patrons of Wards Corner.

Martin Thomas Jr. says less money coming in now could jeopardize overall progress.

Previous funds were used to purchase and demolish blighted and crime-inducing properties in sections of Denby Park.  The City purchased 68 units in 2011 and demolished them in 2012. In addition, 37 apartment units were bought in 2013.  Once the tenants are relocated the units will be demolished.

Next year, a new shopping plaza featuring Harris Teeter is scheduled to open in Wards Corner.

Thomas is concerned if there is no effort in ridding blighted properties around the shopping center, it will have a negative impression on investors.

“If we can show those businesses that this is a nice place to open and you are going to get a good clientele, that effect will cause more and more redevelopment in the Wards Corner area,” Thomas said.

5 Comments | blight, Wards Corner Now | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

City Manager proposes less money for Wards Corner Neighborhood Plan

April 17, 2013

The City of Norfolk has posted its proposed 2014 fiscal year budget to the City of Norfolk website.  Disappointingly the City Manager has only proposed allocating $750,000 to the Wards Corner Neighborhood Plan.   That is the least amount of funding allocated to the Wards Corner Plan since 2007.

Year                   Allocation for Implementation of the W. C. Plan
2014                  750,000 (proposed)
2013                  2,000,000
2012                  1,000,000
2011                  1,767,500
2010                  1,010,000
2009                  2,121,000
2008                  1,010,000
2007                  505,000

Wards Corner Now, the Wards Corner Task Force, and the various civic leagues in the Wards Corner area have been resolute in their request that neighborhood plan funding be used to purchase and demolish the blighted and crime inducing properties in the Texas streets section of Denby Park.  In recent years the City has been successful in purchasing 37 units in 2013 and 68 units in 2011/2012.

Additionally, the proposed 2014 budget includes $500,000 to  provide for the design and construction of improvements to the Granby Street and Louisiana Drive intersection.  This is a part of the intersection improvements required by Harris Teeter for the new shopping center in the business district.

5 Comments | blight, City Of Norfolk, crime, Wards Corner Taskforce | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

5 shot in attempted robbery in “Texas streets” area of Denby Park

April 15, 2013

The Virginian-Pilot is reporting:

Seven people were shot late Saturday in two separate incidents that happened about 20 minutes and 2 miles apart.

None of the injuries was life-threatening, police said.

The first incident occurred about 11:30 p.m., in the 7800 block of San Antonio Blvd. Five people were taken to a hospital, including two men who have been charged.

The two are suspects in an attempted home robbery that apparently led to the shooting, a news release said. The three other shooting victims appear to have been the robbery’s targets.

Trenton J. Ore, 25, and Joven K. Covington, 23, both of Norfolk, face charges including eight counts of use of a firearm, four counts of robbery and three counts of malicious wounding.

The second shooting happened about 11:50 p.m. in the 1300 block of nearby Johns­tons Road.

Detectives said two men had been in a verbal altercation with another man during a family gathering. The two men followed the third man after he left a home on Johnstons Road, but the third man later shot the other two, police said. A bullet also struck an occupied vehicle, but nobody inside was injured.

Darryl Lee Speller, 22, of Norfolk faces charges including two counts each of malicious wounding, shooting into an occupied vehicle and use of a firearm. He is related to the two shooting victims, police said.

Comments Off on 5 shot in attempted robbery in “Texas streets” area of Denby Park | blight, crime | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

Wards Corner Task Force meeting reminder

April 9, 2013

This is a reminder that the Greater Wards Corner Task Force Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 11th at the Norfolk Fitness and Wellness Center (8:30 a.m.).

Comments Off on Wards Corner Task Force meeting reminder | Uncategorized | Permalink
Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

Newport Ave road closings

March 22, 2013

The following Newport Ave road closings are planned in connection with the utility and pump station work being done near the Fitness and Wellness Center:

Monday, 4/1/13 through Friday, 4/12/13

Gaston Brothers Utilities, contractor for project, will set up traffic control and begin detouring traffic onto Granby Street.

This will be for work involving a small portion of sewer main to be installed from the middle of Newport Avenue towards the pump station site.

Monday, 4/15/13 through Saturday 5/4/13

Contractor will begin demolition of the temporary paving along Newport Avenue from the station heading north and including the intersection of Newport and North Shore Road.  Permanent paving will then occur along Newport Avenue.

Permanent roadway markings will finalize the paving which will then open the road back up.

Pending weather, Newport should be permanently paved and re-opened to traffic on 5/4/13.

 

Access to residences and to the Norfolk Fitness and Wellness Center will remain at all times.

It will be similar to last year’s road closure on Newport Avenue, but not as long.

Comments Off on Newport Ave road closings | Infrastructures | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

Wards Corner Task Force meeting notes from March 14, 2013

March 17, 2013

As always, thanks to Karen Mayne for the notes.

The Greater Wards Corner Task Force Meeting

Thursday, March 14, 2013 – 8:30 a.m.

Norfolk Collegiate School Center for Fine Arts

Department of Public Works

I-564 / Air Terminal Interchange – John Keifer presented a briefing with handouts on the project, which is a joint undertaking of the City, VDOT, the Virginia Port Authority, and the Navy.  The project will take several decades and will improve vehicle access to the Naval base and International Terminals.  Three of the five components of the project are complete or underway:  relocation of the Fleet Recreation Park is complete, the Hampton Boulevard underpass will be completed in Summer 2013, and the relocation of I-564 will start in Fall 2013 and be completed in Fall 2016.  Unfunded at this time are the construction of the Air Terminal Interchange and the grade separation of the railroad line at Terminal Boulevard.  Ultimately, it is hoped that the third crossing of Hampton Roads (known as Patriots Crossing) will tie in to I-564 and extend across Craney Island to the I-664 (Monitor Merrimac tunnel) crossing area.

Suburban Acres Street Lighting Concerns – An area field review warranted the recommendation of two new street lights at 7307 Yorktown Drive and along Galveston Avenue adjacent to 401 Virginian Drive.  The design for the lights has been submitted to Dominion Power for a cost estimate.  Once received, the City will move forward with the installation – the process is expected to take about six months.

Thole Street Median – Community Resource Officer Odell Davis has told the Suburban Acres Civic League that the principal of Suburban Park Elementary School has requested that the City consider removing the median divider in front of the school to ease traffic congestion during bus loading/unloading periods.  The Civic League asked to be part of the discussion process with Public Works if this is pursued.

 

Second Patrol Crime Statistics

A total of six crimes were reported in Denby Park (Planning District 38).  There was a slight decrease in violent crimes compared to February 2012.  Robbery, aggravated assault, stolen vehicles and larceny from auto were all reported in February 2013.

Department of Development

Suburban Park Shopping Center

Demolition is completed.  The following commercial entities have executed a lease:

  • Harris Teeter
  • Towne Bank
  • Sleepy’s Mattress
  • Albano Cleaners
  • Subway
  • Starbucks

Midtown Shopping Center

Rob Heavner of Retail Advisors will serve as the broker on real estate and leasing deals.  Midtown management has completed over $1.2 million in renovations.  Additional parking lot improvements are planned for the spring.  The Department of Development will continue to work with management on tenant and rebranding efforts.

Wards Corner Shopping Center

Negotiations are underway for the retail space formally occupied by No.  1 Chinese Buffet.  Possible replacements could be another restaurant or a dollar type store.

Farm Fresh

$1 million in renovations/upgrades are near completion.  A special exception was granted to operate a drive-thru for their pharmacy.  The Wards Corner location is one of the top producing grocery stores.  Farm Fresh is selling the cold storage units.  Development will continue to work with them on a strategy.

Kroger/Workforce Development Center

There continues to be a national interest in the area.

Utilities

 

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.   

 

Louisiana Drive Water Main Replacement

The anticipated completion date is mid-April.

Granby Street Median Work – The pipe replacement work in the median area of Granby Street south of Little Creek Road is being done by Virginia Natural Gas.

Community Reports

Suburban Acres Civic League announced that it will be participating in the Great American Clean-Up on Saturday morning, April 27, 2013, by cleaning up trash that is accumulating along Virginian Drive and Louisiana Drive due to the construction of the new Suburban Park Shopping Center.  The civic league invites surrounding civic leagues to join them and has also asked Suburban Asset Management, owner of the shopping center, if they will join in.

The annual National Night Out will be held in the Oakdale Farms/Denby Park neighborhood on August 6, 2013.  The theme will be “Growing a Better Community.”  The civic league is looking for volunteers who have a few hours to help with organizing the event.  Those interested in helping with the planning should contact LaCrystal Locks at 757-348-6739 or RJ Luce at 757-404-8072.

Norfolk School Board Briefing

Brad Robinson, school board member, provided an overview of some of the issues the Norfolk School Board is dealing with, all of which center on budget problems.  Dr. Robinson said that student demographics in the city are changing, with the elementary school population increasing slightly and the middle and high school populations decreasing.  At the same time, many schools in the city have exceeded their useful life and need to be replaced.  The school board is looking at closing or consolidating some schools and realizes how controversial that will be.  If the Mayor’s proposed 2 cent increase in property tax rates is approved by City Council, the City would be able to replace two additional schools, for a total of four new schools in the near term.  The school board and City are looking into a new technology high school, but it would be very expensive and there is no money for such an undertaking.  While staffing cuts are still underway, the school board would like to see more reading specialists in the elementary schools and more math teachers at the middle and high school levels.

Comments Off on Wards Corner Task Force meeting notes from March 14, 2013 | Wards Corner Taskforce | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

New campus parking at DePaul Medical Center starting March 1, 2013

February 28, 2013
New parking areas at DePaul Medical Center starting March 1, 2013

New parking areas at DePaul Medical Center starting March 1, 2013

Here is a link to the above graphic in PDF format.  DePaul is implementing a new parking arrangement to accommodate the construction of their new medical building.

Comments Off on New campus parking at DePaul Medical Center starting March 1, 2013 | DePaul Hospital | 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.

Task Force meeting notes

February 17, 2013

Thanks to Karen Mayne for providing notes from the February Wards Corner Task Force meeting:

Department of Public Works – John Keifer

The road work at Louisiana and Granby Street should start soon and is scheduled to be completed at the same time that the Suburban Park Shopping Center opens.  There will likely be lane closures on Granby while the work is underway.  There will be two turn lanes from Louisiana onto Granby and one turn lane southbound from Granby onto Louisiana.

DPW will discuss the proposed I564 expansion project next month.

DPW looked at the school zone lights on Thole Street at Suburban Park Elementary and will move the lights on the east end to encompass Norfolk Christian upper school the next time the lights need to be replaced.  There is no indication when that might be.  Mr. Keifer said the structures are usually replaced about every 10 years.

The parking on Suburban Parkway at Norfolk Collegiate should go back to single side parking once the construction on the arts center is completed in March/April.  Marsha Lockard raised the question as to whether there would be a parking problem on Granby Park during evening events at the arts center.  John Keifer said the civic league could work with his department on this issue.

I raised the issue of additional street lights along Virginian Drive and Galveston Boulevard after the case of prostitution in that area.  John Keifer said to contact him regarding additional street lights.

Contact for John Keifer is:

Director, Department of Public Works, 757-664-4614, John.keifer@norfolk.gov

Department of Development – Mike Cutter

The following businesses have signed leases for the Suburban Park Shopping Center:  Harris Teeter, Towne Bank, Albano Cleaners, Great Clips, Subway, Starbucks.

Department of Utilities – Ken Turner

The water line will be replaced along the section of Tidewater Drive between Easy Street and Thole Street.

Police Report – Odell Davis

NPD is assisting with crossing guards at Norfolk Christian upper school.  The NPD is working with Suburban Park Elementary (and all the schools in Norfolk) to assess school safety and security after the shootings at Newtown, CT.  Changes are expected in access during the opening hour of school, and vehicle access for parents on Thole Street may also change.

Comments Off on Task Force meeting notes | Wards Corner Taskforce | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

REMINDER: Wards Corner Task Force meeting Thursday, February 14 @ 8:30am

February 12, 2013

Please attend:

The Greater Wards Corner Task Force Meeting
8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Thursday, February 14, 2013
Norfolk Fitness and Wellness Center
7300 Newport Avenue, Norfolk, Virginia

Agenda:

1.  The Department of Public Works Updates – John Keifer, Director of Public Works

2.  Development Updates- Charles Rigney, Interim Director of Development

3.  Utilities Updates – Ken Turner, Engineering Manager, Department of Utilities

4.  Reports

A. Police Reports
B. Community Reports

5.  New Business

Comments Off on REMINDER: Wards Corner Task Force meeting Thursday, February 14 @ 8:30am | Meeting Agenda, Wards Corner Taskforce | Permalink
Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

City takes second bite out of crime in Denby Park

January 29, 2013
Denby Park properties to be purchased by City of Norfolk. RED highlighted properties are to be purchased in 2013. BLUE highlighted properties were purchased in 2011.

Denby Park properties to be purchased by City of Norfolk. RED highlighted properties are to be purchased in 2013. BLUE highlighted properties were purchased in 2011.

City Council will be voting on January 29, 2013 on the second round of derelict property purchases in the Denby Park neighborhood.  The addresses of the properties to be purchases are:  308 E. Little Creek Road, 317 E. Little Creek Road, 319 E. Little Creek Road, 325 E. Little Creek Road, 328 Fort Worth Ave, 334 Fort Worth Ave, and 338 Fort Worth Ave.

These 2013 purchases are in addition to the properties on San Antonio Boulevard which were purchased in 2011 and eventually torn down.

These purchases are in accordance with the 2004 Wards Corner Comprehensive plan.

The full press release is below:

NORFOLK –The City of Norfolk has reached agreements to purchase seven properties located in the 300 blocks of Fort Worth Avenue and East Little Creek Road in the Denby Park section of the city.  These acquisitions further the Greater Wards Corner Neighborhood Plan and the city’s ongoing efforts to foster safe and healthy neighborhoods which will sustain future generations.

The agreements include the acquisition of 37 apartments on seven properties for $1.45 million.  City Council will vote on the purchase and sale agreements during the Council session scheduled for Tuesday, January 29, 2013.

The property owners are working with their tenants to relocate them.  Once the properties are vacant, the city will conduct an environmental impact study then the apartments will be demolished.

In August 2011, the City of Norfolk purchased 68 apartment units on seven properties in the 300 block of San Antonio Boulevard for $2.68 million.  Those apartments were demolished in April 2012.   The city is working with the community to determine the best use for the open space.

2 Comments | blight, City Of Norfolk, Wards Corner Crime | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

January 29, 2013 meeting on repair work to Roland Park Overpass

January 28, 2013
The following email has been distributed to Civic League Presidents in the area of the planning road work:
Dear Civic League Presidents –
 
As discussed in my previous email, the Roland Park Overpass Bridge on Tidewater Drive will undergo repairs in the coming months.  The City of Norfolk Department of Public Works, Design Division would like to invite your civic leagues to an informational meeting to discuss the project and resulting traffic impacts.  The meeting will be held:
 
Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 6:30 P.M.
Suburban Park Elementary School, Multi-Purpose Room
310 Thole Street
Norfolk, VA 23505
 
Please share this information with the residents of your neighborhoods.  A flyer is attached.  The meeting agenda will include a project overview, information about lane closures and detours, and anticipated construction schedule.  Design engineers and City representatives will be available to answer questions about the project, which will include steel superstructure painting, bearing replacement, concrete repairs, and ramp widening. 
 
We look forward to discussing this project with you, and appreciate your cooperation as these much needed repairs are completed.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
 
Thank you,
 
Christine Atkinson, P.E.
Structural Engineer
City of Norfolk Public Works – Design Division
810 Union Street, Suite 700
Norfolk, VA 23510

Comments Off on January 29, 2013 meeting on repair work to Roland Park Overpass | Infrastructures | Tagged: | Permalink
Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

Harris Teeter – Together in Education

January 25, 2013

tieSoon-to-be member of the Wards Corner Business District, Harris Teeter, has a “Together in Education” program.  Currently you can take part in the program and proceeds can be allotted to the Granby High School Marching Band or Granby Elementary PTA.

Harris Teeter’s Together In Education program is a fund raising program for schools (public or private- preschool through 12th grade) in our communities.

When customers purchase select Harris Teeter Brand products using their VIC card, Harris Teeter contributes a percentage of those purchase dollars to the schools of their choice.

Schools use the money as they see fit on anything from basic supplies to band equipment or computers.

You can link your VIC card to Granby High School Marching Band or Granby Elementary PTA by going to the Together in Education website.

 

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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.

Wards Corner Taskforce meeting minutes from January 10, 2013

January 13, 2013

Thanks, as always, to Karen Mayne for the following minutes.

Greater Wards Corner Task Force Meeting – January 10, 2013

The meeting was led by Councilman Andy Protogyrou. Council representatives Terry Whibley and Barclay Winn were also present.

Suburban Park Shopping Center Presentation

Chris Perry of Suburban Asset Management (SAM) provided an overview of the status of the redevelopment of the shopping center. Site demolition is complete and they will start on infrastructure construction very soon. Due to the good weather, the project is ahead of schedule. SAM plans to turn over the concrete “pads” to Harris Teeter and Towne Point Bank in April 2013, who will then use their own contractors to construct their portions of the shopping center. SAM will use Hoy Construction to build the remainder of the shopping center, which will include space for 9 to eleven retailers. If the weather remains cooperative, SAM hopes construction will be completed in 9 to 10 months from April.

SAM would like to find a restaurant to fill in the southern-most space in the shopping center, where outside seating would be possible. They encouraged task force members to spread the word and make recommendations on the names of any restaurateurs who might be interested in locating there.

Department of Public Works Updates – John Kiefer

The City will undertake a major reconstruction of the underpass and adjacent ramps at the junction of Tidewater Drive and Little Creek Road at Southern Shopping Center. They considered changing to an at-grade intersection, but that cost would be several million dollars more that maintaining the underpass. The project is planned to start in January 2014, will take 8 to 10 months to complete, will require major road closures for about 4 to 5 months, and detours for the four on/off ramps for about 10 to 14 weeks. While the road work is under construction, the Department of Utilities will also replace underground utilities along the section of Tidewater Drive south to Thole Street. DPW is planning to make presentations to the civic leagues in the area to explain the plans and detours.

Department of Development Updates – Mike Cutter

The owner of Mid-Towne Shopping Center has hired a new real estate broker and is negotiating leases, although no names were given. There are plans to renovate the parking lot during warmer weather in the spring.

The City is considering extending the grant program for business façade improvements to the Wards Corner area. This would allow this corridor to be eligible for matching grants.

A question was asked as to whether there will be a Dollar Tree store in the Wards Corner area.  There will not be one in the new Suburban Park Shopping Center, but there is a possibility that there could be a Dollar Tree in one of the other two shopping centers on the north side.

Department of Utilities Updates – Ken Turner

Sewer replacement projects around the area are on schedule and several sections will be completed in the next several months, after which the City will continue with sewer line replacements in other sections.

Police Reports

Crime statistics for the area in December continued to show a decline from last year, which is a trend seen around the City. The president of the Denby Park civic league thanked the Norfolk Police Department for their work and said that crime numbers in Denby Park are down.

Community Reports

The group again discussed the school zones along Thole Street. The Norfolk Police have started providing traffic control assistance at the Norfolk Christian Upper School, and the City has installed larger school zone signs that are easier to read at both ends of the Norfolk Christian school zone. Councilman Protogyrou asked that the Department of Public Works provide information at the February meeting regarding the possibility of moving the overhead flashing school zone light at the western end of Suburban Park Elementary School further to the west to also encompass Norfolk Christian.

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

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