Greater Wards Corner Task Force Meeting – September 13, 2012

September 17, 2012

Meeting highlights:

  • The out-parcel at the new Harris Teeter shopping center will be a TowneBank
  • The lease with Harris Teeter has been signed
  • The above ground utilities on Granby and E. Little Creek abutting the Harris Teeter property will be buried
  • Talbot Hall has been put on the market by the Episcopal Diocese that owns the property

Thanks, as always, to Karen Mayne to keeping notes on the Taskforce meetings.  Below are her notes from September 13, 2012.

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

Department of Development Updates – Charles Rigney

Suburban Park Shopping Center – The lease with Harris Teeter has been signed. Letters of intent are in place for all spaces in the new shopping center except one space at the south end.  The out-parcel building will be filled by Towne Bank. On Granby Street at Louisiana there will be a new left turn lane and stop light heading southbound. On Louisiana there will be two turn lanes. There may be an additional light needed on the east side of Little Creek Road and the City has an agreement with Mrs. Dallis to take a parking space in the Mid-town Shopping Center if needed for this traffic light. The City is paying for these traffic improvements.

Mid-Town Center Shopping Center – Mrs. Dallis did not reach an agreement with Dollar Tree so there will be no store in the renovated shopping center. The owner of the gas station is looking for offers to sell but it is unclear what might go there. Mrs. Dallis is not interested in purchasing the property. The 7-11 company expressed interest in the site, but the City does not think the public would want a 7-11 store in that location.

Other Development News: The 7-11 Corporation is looking to move and upgrade a number of corporate owned stores in the region, including the store on the southwest side of Wards Corner.  The City is trying to help find an appropriate new location for the store. Discussions continue with potential developers of the Work Force Center property. The liquor license application by the Pancake House was approved by City Council on Tuesday. The former physical therapy building is still under consideration for an urgent care facility. The application by the national chain, Cookout Restaurant, to take over the Speedy Gonzales restaurant on Tidewater Drive was withdrawn by the company after two residents in the area expressed opposition. The Denby Park Civic League supports the project and the City indicated the Cookout company will come back in for approval after further discussions with residents. The Guads restaurant should be open in early October. The need for repaving of the parking lot was discussed.

Department of Public Works Updates – John Keifer/Ann Kelly

Utilities Undergrounding at Wards Corner – Three options for placing the utilities underground on the east side at the Suburban Park Shopping Center were presented. Option 1 would put the utilities underground along the southeast side of Granby Street and Little Creek Road for $160,000. Option 2 would also include the entire perimeter of the shopping center (adding in Louisiana and Virginian frontages) for $3,600,000. Option 3 would also include the northeast side of Little Creek (Mid-Town Shopping Center) from Granby to Virginian for $2,900,000. It was pointed out that the cost estimates for Options 2 and 3 appeared to be reversed. Task Force members agreed that putting the utilities underground along Louisiana and Virginian was not a priority, nor was the north side at the present time. Option 1 will be requested as a Capital
Improvement Project in the City’s 2013 budget since the cost is reasonable and it makes sense to do the project while the entire corner is under construction. Public Works was requested to go back and determine the cost of doing the north-east corner along Granby Street and Little Creek

Road for future consideration.

Wards Corner Redevelopment Plan – There is still $2 million budgeted by the City for the redevelopment of the area. The group agreed that the redevelopment of blighted areas of the greater Wards Corner area is a priority over placing the utilities underground.

Police Report

Crime statistics for the greater Wards Corner area remain low. Civic league representatives pointed out that it appears prostitutes may be working the Little Creek corridor from Wards Corner to Galveston. There may also be an issue with the small unpaved section of Galveston at Virginian Drive. The vice squad will be notified. The police are also looking into the issue of students leaving Granby High at lunchtime.

Community Reports

Karen Mayne reported that there is a need for a larger and reconfigured bus port at Suburban Park Elementary since school buses back up on Thole Street, and there is a problem with soil erosion at the front of the school. Council representatives asked the Public Works department to work on an engineering plan for the bus port that could be submitted as a Capital Improvement Project in the next year’s budget.

Jim McDonnell reported that Talbot Hall (owned by the Episcopal Church) has been listed for sale with Harvey Lindsay real estate company. The property is zoned institutional.

Community Services Board president Kenny Bryant reported that the transition of the CSB to City management is going well.

Norfolk Collegiate reported that the construction of its new arts center is on schedule for a March 2013 opening.

The group discussed the need for school crossing flashing lights at the Norfolk Christian Lower School on Granby Street and the Norfolk Collegiate Lower School on Tidewater Drive. This will be discussed further at the next task force meeting.

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

Brief update on the Harris Teeter Shopping Center

August 27, 2012

According to the property owners, things are moving along well with the redevelopment of the southwest corner of Wards Corner.  As anyone who has driven through Wards Corner in the last few weeks has seen, the old A.J. Gators building has been torn down and there is a large pit where dirt and old storage tanks have been removed.  Most of the environmental work associated with that old A.J. Gators site is now complete.

Asbestos is being removed from the other buildings remaining on the site and they will be demolished within the next 1-2 months pending a demolition permit from the City.

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

Superintendent Samuel King’s public forums

August 24, 2012

Wards Corner resident, and School Board member, Dr. Brad Robinson, asked that we share the Norfolk Public Schools public forums invitation:

Help plan a path to success for Norfolk’s schools. Come to Superintendent Samuel King’s public forums.
Tuesday, August 28: 6 p.m., Norview High School, 6501 Chesapeake Boulevard
Wednesday, September 12: 6 p.m., Ruffner Academy, 610 May Avenue

Public Forums Flyer 2012 (PDF)

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Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

Wards Corner is “A neighborhood rediscovering its pride”

July 31, 2012

Michelle Washington, an editorial writer for the Virginian-Pilot and a Wards Corner resident, wrote an opinion piece about the renovation and rejuvenation of Wards Corner entitled “A neighborhood rediscovering its pride”.

The article can be read in its entirety at the Virginian-Pilot website.

The article mentions the renovations to the shopping center at the northeast corner of Wards Corner, the demolition of the old A.J. Gators, the new Mexican restaurant moving into the old Bobbywood location (Guads @ Granby Street), the arts center at Norfolk Collegiate under construction, and area sewer upgrades as reasons to celebrate the revival of Wards Corner.

Comments Off on Wards Corner is “A neighborhood rediscovering its pride” | economic development, Virginian-Pilot | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

Intersection improvements coming to E. Little Creek Road and Tidewater Drive

July 23, 2012
Intersection improvements are planned for the E. Little Creek Road and Tidewater Drive intersection in Norfolk

Intersection improvements are planned for the E. Little Creek Road and Tidewater Drive intersection in Norfolk

The City of Norfolk and VDOT are in the preliminary design stage of improvements slated for the intersection of E. Little Creek Road and Tidewater Drive.  Dave Pfiffer with the City of Norfolk Public Works Department will be the project manager.  He indicates that there is not a definitive timeline set at this point.  He does not expect construction to begin in 2012 but he does hope to get out to the civic leagues this coming fall with the proposed renovations.

The current E. Little Creek Road bridge that spans over Tidewater Drive is at the end of its life-cycle at 55 years old.  The bridge will be replaced with a bridge of the same size but the renovated intersection is slated to be greener, more pedestrian friendly, and more bike friendly.

All new traffic signals and travel lanes are expected.  All 4 ramps to/from Tidewater Drive will received a new layer of asphalt.  The concrete on the underpass will be milled and re-paved.  The walls of the underpass will be painted similar to the Monticello Ave underpass as well to give it a cleaner look.

The Tidewater Drive underpass is expected to be repainted similar to the Monticello Ave underpass pictured here

The Tidewater Drive underpass is expected to be repainted similar to the Monticello Ave underpass pictured here

Mr. Pfiffer indicates that E. Little Creek Road and Tidewater Drive  is the third most traveled intersection in the City and he will be taking both the planning and scheduling of the work to the civic leagues and the businesses in the area so as to minimize any negative impacts.  He assures that the outcome will be a cleaner, greener, more pedestrian and bike friendly intersection and that he expects the new bridge to last another 50 years.

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Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

Midtown Shopping Center progress pictures

July 12, 2012
Midtown Shopping Center, new facade progress pictures, July 11, 2012, Norfolk, Virginia, 1 of 4

Midtown Shopping Center, new facade progress pictures, July 11, 2012, Norfolk, Virginia, 1 of 4

Midtown Shopping Center, new facade progress pictures, July 11, 2012, Norfolk, Virginia, 2 of 4

Midtown Shopping Center, new facade progress pictures, July 11, 2012, Norfolk, Virginia, 2 of 4

Midtown Shopping Center, new facade progress pictures, July 11, 2012, Norfolk, Virginia, 3 of 4

Midtown Shopping Center, new facade progress pictures, July 11, 2012, Norfolk, Virginia, 3 of 4

Midtown Shopping Center, new facade progress pictures, July 11, 2012, Norfolk, Virginia, 4 of 4

Midtown Shopping Center, new facade progress pictures, July 11, 2012, Norfolk, Virginia, 4 of 4

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

“Guads @ Granby St.” to open in the old Bobbywood location at Wards Corner

July 2, 2012

Many thanks to Vicky Haskell, owner and operator of the forthcoming “Guads @ Granby St.”,  for providing the following information about her new restaurant.

Guads @ Granby St. is planned to be a family restaurant serving mexican fare.  This will be the third “Guads” as there is a location at Hilltop and a seasonal location on 21st street at the Virginia Beach oceanfront.  The Guads restaurants are not affiliated with Guadalajara Mexican restaurants located elsewhere in Hampton Roads.

Guads @ Granby St. will be located at 7515 Granby Street which was formerly Bobbywood, A.J. Gators, and briefly the Wards Corner Pub.  Haskell plans for a renovated and rejuvenated look on the inside to include new tile flooring around the bar.  The area used by A.J. Gators for billiards will be re-purposed as a party room for groups of 25-30 and will feature new flooring as well.

Parking for Guads @ Granby St. is anticipated to be both in the front of the restaurant and in the rear of the building.  The parking lot in the rear will be re-graveled.  A new coat of bright yellow paint is expected to adorn the exterior of the restaurant within the next few days.  The blue awnings currently on the building are expected to stay.

Haskell indicates that she will be serving lunch and dinner 7 days a week.  The hours have not been finalized but based on operations at the other two Guads locations, she expects Guads @ Granby St. to close at 10pm Sunday – Thursday and at 11pm on Friday and Saturday.

No entertainment of any kind is planned.  Haskell’s goal is to open the restaurant in early-to-mid August.

 

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

Wards Corner Task Force Meeting Minutes

June 16, 2012

Many thanks to Karen Mayne of the Suburban Acres Civic League for providing minutes from the Greater Wards Corner Task Force Meeting held on June 14, 2012.  The task force will be taking a summer break until September – the next meeting is September 13, 2012

The meeting was led by City Council representatives Terry Whibley and Barclay Winn.  Councilwoman Angelia Williams also attended.

Department of Development Updates – Charles Rigney

International Council of Shopping Centers Meeting – The meeting in Las Vegas on May 20 – 23rd was  productive. Mr. Rigney said it is clear that shopping center developers and businesses are seeing an upturn in the economy. He said several businesses expressed interest in coming to Norfolk.

Suburban Park Shopping Center – The project is on schedule for a 2014 opening. Demolition will take place June through August, with the AJ Gators building going first. Abandoned fuel tanks under that area will be removed. Concern was expressed as to whether there will be any off-site construction staging. The City reps will check into that, but said it is doubtful that any additional land is needed for staging. The City has some concerns about the site plan and traffic layout at Louisiana and Granby – the City will continue discussions with Suburban Asset Management about these issues. The City has not yet approved the site plan for the project.

Other Projects – Mid-Town Shopping Center (Dallis property) is negotiating leases for vacant storefronts. Farm Fresh has started its renovations, which should be completed by October. The old “cold storage” building will be used for storage of construction materials, after which it is hoped the building will be torn down for redevelopment of the section of the properties along Tausig Boulevard. The future of the Kroger/Work Force Center property is still up in the air. The site of the former Wards Corner Pub is proposed to become another restaurant/bar to be called “Guads” since the owner of the building is the co-owner of the other restaurants in the region called Guadalajara’s. Bon Secours is considering the vacant building on the southwest side of Granby as a potential urgent care facility. There was no update on the DePaul Hospital project – apparently, the new hospital has undergone some additional design changes.

Department of Public Works Updates – John Keifer

Underground Utilities at Wards Corner – Mr. Keifer pointed out that placing the utilities underground in the Wards Corner area would be complicated and expensive due to the number of other utilities that already run underground in the area: water, sewer, natural gas. Dominion Virginia Power has given the City a price of $37,000 to do a detailed cost estimate for placing the power lines underground in the section of Wards Corner comprising the Suburban Park Shopping Center. The City is in the process of determining which funding account can be tapped for this study, which they hope to know in the next week or so. The study is estimated to take about two months. Dr. Whibley said that she has spoken with City Manager Marcus Jones about funding for the utilities project. She pointed out that the City has allocated about $2 million dollars for the Wards Corner area redevelopment. Several other apartment buildings in the Texas streets area may be coming up for sale, and Dr. Whibley said that the Task Force and City will need to decide what is a higher priority for funding – the utilities project or acquisition and demolition of the problem area apartments. (It was also mentioned that the Ashlawn Drivearea in Monticello Village on the north side of East Little Creek Road is a problem area.) Thegroup agreed that the City will provide a detailed breakout of the costs and sources of funding for the utilities project at the next meeting in September, or at an earlier date if  warranted, and the group will discuss redevelopment priorities.

Sewer Line Replacement – Mr. Keifer said that the sewer line project on Newport Avenue in the vicinity of the Fitness and Wellness Center is on track and that temporary paving of the section will be done by September. The City will be working on a new sewage pumping station in the area, which will require the installation of a new temporary entrance into the center. Work will be ongoing over the next year.

Police Report – Lt. Jonhathan Coghlan

There has been an increase in residential burglaries and auto thefts throughout the City. There have also been thefts of copper piping from commercial air conditioning systems and plumbing pipes in vacant residences. For the month of May, 8 crimes were reported in the Denby Park area and 12 crimes were reported from the Wards Corner area. Officer Davis made an arrest in the burglaries in the Wards Corner area, so there may be a decrease in future burglaries. It was mentioned that solicitors have been going door to door in the Talbot Park and Wards Corner areas, causing concern among residents. One company, Vivint Security, has the necessary City business license, but its employees are very aggressive about selling their product. Lt. Coghlan suggests that residents consider answering their doors when someone rings the doorbell to show that someone is home in case it is someone who is casing the street looking for houses to rob when the residents are not home. Always ask to see solicitors’ business license and do not let them in your house if you are not comfortable with them.

Community Reports

Councilwoman Whibley asked about the issue of grounds maintenance at Suburban Park Elementary School. Karen Mayne explained the problems of flower bed maintenance and ground erosion at the front of the school. Ray Ransom will contact staff in the Parks and Recreation and Streets and Sidewalks departments to schedule an on-site meeting at the school to determine what might be done. Ms. Mayne said that the Suburban Acres Civic League is willing to help with labor once solutions are identified.

Meeting Frequency

It had been agreed at the May meeting that monthly task force meetings will continue, with a break during July and September. However, with the important issue of the underground utilities at Wards Corner during the redevelopment of the Suburban Park Shopping Center, some level of communication may be necessary over the summer, whether by e-mail or a meeting.

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Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

Update from Chris Perry on the Harris Teeter shopping center

June 15, 2012

Chris Perry was nice enough to provide me with a brief update on the Harris Teeter anchored shopping center.  All of the tenants are out of the property and demolition should begin in July.

There are no firm leases for any of the new tenants yet.  Mr. Perry promises to keep us aware of the construction schedule as well as road closings and other safety issues as he moves forward with the redevelopment.

7 Comments | Uncategorized | Permalink
Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

Royster Memorial Presbyterian Church fire ruled arson

May 22, 2012

Pilot Online is reporting that the May 9th fire at the Royster Memorial Presbyterian Church was arson. The fire damaged the child care center at the church. There is an ongoing investigation by the fire department.

1 Comment | Uncategorized | Permalink
Posted by Wards Corner

300 Blocks of Denby Park continue to foster crime

May 11, 2012

April 2012 was another bad month for the 300 blocks of Fort Worth, San Antonio, and E. Little Creek Road.

Type:                                                   Location:                                                         Date:
LARCENY-FROM AUTO              7600 BLOCK GALVESTON BLVD          4/26/2012 06:00 PM
LARCENY-FROM BUILDING    300 BLOCK SAN ANTONIO BLVD         4/24/2012 05:00 PM
VANDALISM                                  300 BLOCK E LITTLE CREEK RD            4/24/2012 03:00 PM
NARCOTICS VIOLATIONS        300 BLOCK SAN ANTONIO BLVD         4/22/2012 11:31 AM
VANDALISM                                  300 BLOCK FORT WORTH AV                4/21/2012 12:01 AM
BURGLARY-NONRESIDENCE  300 BLOCK E LITTLE CREEK RD          4/17/2012 06:00 PM
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT            NA                                                                    4/15/2012 01:32 PM
HOMICIDE                                       300 BLOCK FORT WORTH AV                4/13/2012 03:37 PM
VANDALISM                                   300 BLOCK SAN ANTONIO BLVD         4/13/2012 09:30 AM
LARCENY-PARTS FROM AUTO 300 BLOCK FORT WORTH AV              4/11/2012 03:30 PM
NARCOTICS VIOLATIONS         300 BLOCK E LITTLE CREEK RD           4/9/2012 08:49 PM

Source:  Norfolk Police via crimemapping.com

Comments Off on 300 Blocks of Denby Park continue to foster crime | crime | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

Greater Wards Corner Task Force Notes – May 10, 2012

May 10, 2012

Thank you to Karen Mayne of the Suburban Acres Civic League for providing the following notes from the Greater Wards Corner Task Force meeting held on May 10, 2012.

The meeting was led by Councilwoman Terry Whibley and Councilman Barclay Winn.

Crime Report – Officer Odell Davis reported 9 crimes in the Wards Corner area for the month of April, including 8 larcenies and 1 robbery; 5 arrests were made. Denby Park area reported 8 crimes, including 1 homicide (suspect arrested), 1 aggravated assault, 1 robbery, and 5 larcenies.

Wards Corner Redevelopment – Work continues by the Department of Development on attracting tenants to the Wards Corner area, including the Suburban Park Shopping Center and the Mid-Town Shopping Center. Two medical users are looking at a 10,000 square foot sized facility and are competing for the same space (southwest section of Granby Street). Kroger has not made a decision on whether it will leave its current space or try to acquire the Work Force Center space to enlarge. Farm Fresh has started renovations and will use the “cold storage building” for construction materials, after which it is hoped the building will be torn down and redeveloped. Mid-Town Shopping Center owner is considering selling the flag lot behind the post office as part of a larger redevelopment of that section. The owner of Guadalajara
restaurants owns the old pub/restaurant building on the southwest side of Granby Street and has approached the City about opening a Guadalajara restaurant in that space. Sufficient parking may be a limiting factor. It was expressed at the meeting that a dance venue (like at some of the other Guadalajaras) would be problematic in this location. The City is talking with representatives of Sears regarding the K-Mart store; there are 15 years left on the K-Mart lease,
but the City hopes the property can be redeveloped. The property is not zoned to include a grocery store.

The Department of Public Works received a very rough estimate on the costs of putting utilities underground at Wards Corner. That rough estimate was $11 million for the area along Granby Street from Louisiana Drive to Tausig Boulevard and along Little Creek Road from Interstate 64 to Granby Street. The general costs run about $800,000 a block (both sides) but costs would vary by block depending on construction constraints. The City Council representatives and Task Force members requested that Public Works get a firm cost estimate for just the southeast corner of Wards Corner (bounded by Louisiana Avenue and Virginian Drive) so that the City can determine if there are funds to move the utilities underground in that quadrant while the Suburban Park Shopping Center is being redeveloped.

Denby Park Apartment Demolition Project – The contractor has started work. Two of the buildings should be demolished by May 11, a third building demolished by May 25, and the entire project demolished by June 8. The contractor will remove all parking lots, remove curb cuts, and cover the area with top soil. The City will put in sidewalks.

Tidewater Drive – The City will be doing pothole repairs along the section of Tidewater Drive between Thole Street and Little Creek Road once the utility work is completed.

Community Reports:

Royster Memorial Presbyterian Church had a major fire last week and repairs will be extensive.

Thole Street – The City is looking again at a traffic study to determine if any additional traffic calming measures can be taken. Curb cuts have been completed to drain standing water out of the medians and a landscaping plan has been developed.

There was discussion of changing the meeting frequency of the Wards Corner Task Force to bi-monthly, since community representation at the meetings varies and it is a time commitment from City staff and Council representatives. Civic league representatives were unanimous in saying that monthly meetings are important during this time period when so many decisions are being made about redevelopment in the greater Wards Corner area. All seemed to agree that the task force should focus on issues of larger concern and not issues that the civic leagues should bring up directly to the appropriate City departments.

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

Newport Ave to close for utility work

April 19, 2012

Newport Ave near the Fitness and Wellness Center will close to through traffic starting next week for utility work related to the new pump station being installed.  The closure is expected to last until July / August 2012.  Detour routes will be posted.

The community and residents will still have access to the Fitness and Wellness center.

 

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Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

Farm Fresh at Wards Corner to begin renovations

April 15, 2012

There has been a rumor for some time that the Farm Fresh at Wards Corner would be undergoing renovations in anticipation of the new Harris Teeter.

The Virginian-Pilot is reporting that a 2 million dollar renovation is expected to begin soon and wrap up by this coming fall.  Farm Fresh, according to the Pilot article, is keeping quiet on the details of the renovation by only saying “[i]t will include interior and exterior work”.

The Virginian Pilot article:  Farm Fresh in Wards Corner to undergo renovation

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

Acquired Denby Park apartments scheduled for demolition

April 13, 2012
316, 320, 324, 336, 340, 360 and 362 San Antonio Boulevard, highlighted in blue, are being demolished by the City of Norfolk

316, 320, 324, 336, 340, 360 and 362 San Antonio Boulevard, highlighted in blue, are being demolished by the City of Norfolk

The City of Norfolk has awarded demolition contracts for the blighted Denby Park apartment buildings purchased last year.

The buildings, at  316, 320, 324, 336, 340, 360 and 362 San Antonio Boulevard, are scheduled to begin demolition on Tuesday, April 17, 2012 at 11 a.m.

3 Comments | blight, City Of Norfolk | Tagged: | Permalink
Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

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