The Virginian-Pilot is reporting that Chris Perry has plans to begin demolishing a dilapidated shopping area in Wards Corner within six months. He would replace it with a shopping center anchored by Harris Teeter.
Harris Teeter to Wards Corner?
September 15, 2011
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Invitation from Suburban Acres Civic League
September 11, 2011A number of Wards Corner area civic leagues, or portions thereof, have been redistricted and are now in the 100th district of the Virginia House of Delegates. The current elected representative of the 100th district is Delegate Lynwood W. Lewis, Jr.
Suburban Acres Civic League’s monthly meeting on Monday evening Sep. 12 features Delegate Lewis, Jr. (D-100th) as a guest speaker. All civic leagues/residents in the Greater Wards Corner area are invited to attend and meet Delegate Lewis. The meeting is at Suburban Park Elementary School. Doors open with refreshments at 6 pm; the meeting starts at 6:30.
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VP reporting Officer involved in shooting on Texas streets
September 6, 2011Police are on the scene of an officer-involved shooting in the 400 block of Fort Worth Ave, dispatchers said.
The incident happened around 7 a.m., but police have not released any information.
It was unclear whether anyone was injured.
Fort Worth Avenue is near East Little Creek Road.
Update, 9/6/2011 @ 11:26am:
The Virginian-Pilot has the following details:
An officer was sent to the South Wind complex in the 400 block of Fort Worth Ave. around 7 a.m. on a report that someone was tampering with a vehicle, said Officer Chris Amos, police spokesman. The officer parked perpendicular behind the vehicle, had gotten out of his patrol car and began verbally challenging the man when he put his vehicle in reverse.
The car went backward and hit the police vehicle, pushing it into the officer, who fired, Amos said. The officer wasn’t hurt.
The man pushed the patrol car out of the way and was able to turn around and head west on Fort Worth a short distance before crashing into a vehicle parked on the street, Amos said. The officer followed, but no other shots were fired.
Police broke out the driver’s side window of the vehicle to try to help the man, who died inside the car.
1 Comment | blight, crime | Tagged: crime, Denby Park, Texas Streets | Permalink
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Virginian-Pilot’s Editorial page pushes WC revitalization
August 22, 2011Notable quotes:
The city found a way to accomplish what it intended for Denby Park, even without eminent domain powers: It negotiated with property owners to buy derelict apartments so it could tear them down.
Wards Corner residents hailed the move as the beginning of change. That’s what it is: a beginning. If tearing down the Denby apartments helps reduce crime, that also removes one more obstacle to investment.
Residents should keep up the pressure on current property owners to improve their buildings, especially in the neighborhood’s commercial core. So should city officials.
Wards Corner’s future depends on using the momentum created by the purchase of Denby Park to accelerate improvement. Don’t coast now and squander that opportunity.
1 Comment | The Greater Wards Corner Comprehensive Plan, Wards Corner Business District | Tagged: crime, Denby Park, redevelopment, revitalization, Virginian-Pilot | Permalink
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City takes a bite out of crime in Wards Corner
August 15, 2011
316, 320, 324, 336, 340, 360 and 362 San Antonio Boulevard, highlighted in blue, are being purchased by the City of Norfolk
In accordance with the 2004 Wards Corner Comprehensive plan, the City is purchasing property in Denby Park.
Below is the full press release:
NORFOLK – City Council members and the Wards Corner Task Force have partnered on the need to acquire properties within the Denby Park neighborhood, specifically the Texas Streets section. The acquisition is part of the city’s plan to build safe, healthy neighborhoods that will sustain future generations.
Total units being acquired are 68 apartment units located in seven buildings and the grounds. The parcels include 316, 320, 324, 336, 340, 360 and 362 San Antonio Boulevard.
The acquisition price is a total of $2,686.000. The City Council appropriated in the past two fiscal years for this purchase and those funds were made available July 1. Additionally, the city is seeking council permission to encumber an additional $30,000 ($15,000 for each Agreement) for any related closing costs bringing the total to $2,716.000.
Of the 68 apartment units, 16 are currently occupied. The landlord has agreed to work with the tenants to provide them with equal or better apartments within different properties he currently owns. All of the current leases expire no later than July 2012.
As apartments become vacant or are vacant upon the City taking possession, each unit will be boarded, secured and monitored. Once the buildings are vacant, an environmental study will be conducted and the buildings demolished.
Pertinent quotes from a Virginian-Pilot article on the property purchase:
Councilman Andy Protogyrou made the redevelopment of Wards Corner the focus of his 2010 election campaign. Although his ward does not include Denby Park, he represents much of Wards Corner.
“This is something we’ve waited for years to happen in the Wards Corner area. It’s the beginning all of us have looked forward to,” he said.
“Marcus really deserves a lot of credit for making this happen. This shows we can make things happen when we have the political will.”
Crime in Denby Park has been a major factor in the deterioration of the Wards Corner commercial area, city leaders have said.
“Until we take care of the crime issue in Denby Park, we’re not going to make progress in the Wards Corner commercial corridor,” said Martin Thomas Jr., vice president of the Wards Corner Civic League. “So this sounds like really good news.”
5 Comments | blight, crime | Tagged: crime, Denby Park, san antonio, wards corner | Permalink
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Taskforce retreat rescheduled; Regular meeting to be held Thursday, July 14
July 12, 2011The following email was received from Carlton Ransom:
Good afternoon. The retreat scheduled for July 14th will be postponed until the September 8th task force meeting. Instead, the council would like to utilize the July 14th meeting as a regularly scheduled meeting (8:30 a.m.) to seek further input from task force members regarding plan initiatives, concerns, and potential agenda items for the retreat.Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns. I thank you in advance.Carlton Ray RansomSenior Neighborhood Development SpecialistDepartment of Planning and Community DevelopmentBureau of Community Enrichment111 Granby StreetNorfolk, Virginia 23505
The normal meeting of the Wards Corner Taskforce will be at 8:30am at the Fitness and Wellness Center on Newport Ave.
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Crime in the 300 blocks of E. Little Creek Road, Fort Worth Ave, and San Antonio Blvd
July 11, 2011
Much has been said about the crime (and/or perception of crime) emanating from the three criminal cancer infected blocks of 300 E. Little Creek Road, 300 Forth Worth Ave, and 300 San Antonio Blvd.
Below is the crime report for the 300 blocks from June 1, 2011 – July 9, 2011.
Crime description: Location: Date/time: LARCENY (ALL OTHERS) 300 BLOCK SAN ANTONIO BLVD 7/9/2011 11:00:00 LARCENY-PARTS FROM AUTO 300 BLOCK SAN ANTONIO BLVD 7/8/2011 6:00:00 ROBBERY-INDIVIDUAL 300 BLOCK FORT WORTH AV 7/6/2011 21:50:00 NARCOTICS VIOLATIONS 300 BLOCK FORT WORTH AV 6/30/2011 20:55:00 LARCENY (ALL OTHERS) 300 BLOCK SAN ANTONIO BLVD 6/29/2011 18:40:00 LARCENY-PARTS FROM AUTO 300 BLOCK SAN ANTONIO BLVD 6/29/2011 7:20:00 ROBBERY-INDIVIDUAL 300 BLOCK FORT WORTH AV 6/26/2011 1:30:00 VANDALISM 7800 BLOCK GALVESTON BLVD 6/25/2011 16:00:00 VANDALISM 300 BLOCK SAN ANTONIO BLVD 6/22/2011 12:06:00 BURGLARY-RESIDENCE 7600 BLOCK GALVESTON BLVD 6/22/2011 7:30:00 VANDALISM 300 BLOCK SAN ANTONIO BLVD 6/21/2011 14:00:00 VANDALISM 7800 BLOCK DALLAS ST 6/12/2011 11:00:00 VANDALISM 300 BLOCK SAN ANTONIO BLVD 6/9/2011 20:00:00 LARCENY-PARTS FROM AUTO 300 BLOCK E LITTLE CREEK RD 6/7/2011 6:00:00 AGGRAVATED ASSAULT 300 BLOCK E LITTLE CREEK RD 6/6/2011 23:20:00 BURGLARY-RESIDENCE 300 BLOCK SAN ANTONIO BLVD 6/4/2011 22:00:00 VANDALISM 300 BLOCK SAN ANTONIO BLVD 6/1/2011 5:00:00
Crime in the 300 blocks of E. Little Creek Road, Fort Worth Ave, and San Antonio Blvd
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Pilot Editorial focuses on Wards Corner
July 11, 2011Again highlighting the City’s failure to adequately address the criminal cancer in Denby Park, the Virginian-Pilot printed an editorial in today’s paper stating, in part:
As it has been for years, though, the solution to Denby Park’s problems is not a playground. Or removing a playground. The solution is in a relentless attention to the problems of Wards Corner: a concentration of poverty, crime.
And that will take much more effort than moving a playground from one lot to another.
The following are the full comments sent to Pilot writer Harry Minium by Martin Thomas, Jr.
The Wards Corner area neighborhoods have been begging the City for years to do something about the criminal element in Denby Park. The 2003 Wards Corner Comprehensive Plan called for the demolition of the
substandard housing in the 300 blocks of San Antonio Blvd, Fort Worth Ave, and E. Little Creek Road. Not a single one of the approximately 47 buildings in those blocks has been demolished at this point.We should not expect the citizens of Norfolk to have to raise their families in a neighborhood, which in those three blocks, is infected with a criminal cancer.
The park, almost immediately after construction, became a hangout for criminals. I support the Denby Park/Monticello Village civic league in their request to move the park to a safer area where the families in those neighborhoods can enjoy the use the park without concern for their safety.
Pertinent quote from page 28 of the Greater Wards Corner Comprehensive Plan :
[T]he high-density walkup apartments constructed in the Texas Streets section of Denby Park are, for the most part, not desirable housing. They have been built too close together, without appropriate provision of open space, and without amenities. The maze-like character of the resulting development, its proximity to highly-travelled Little Creek Road and to Interstate – 64 make it unfortunately suitable for drug dealing and for serving as a base for other criminal activity. The Norfolk police report that the situation in these buildings is getting worse. They recommend major change: the acquisition and demolition of these buildings, before the situation has even more adverse impacts on the surrounding neighborhoods. The many respectable people who are living in these buildings are being victimized by the current situation.
1 Comment | The Greater Wards Corner Comprehensive Plan | Tagged: crime, Denby Park, KaBOOM! | Permalink
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I 64 car fire near Little Creek Road kills one, injures two
July 4, 2011
WVEC is reporting one person is dead and another is in critical condition after a late night car fire on I-64.
The fire happened on I-64 eastbound near Little Creek Road.
Virginia State Police spokesperson Sergeant Michelle Anaya told WVEC.com a disabled vehicle caught fire Sunday evening, just before midnight.
Click Here for Story and Video.
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6th annual Suburban Acres 4th of July Parade and Blue Ribbon Dessert Contest 10:00 am Monday
July 3, 2011
Join the Suburban Acres neighbors in a classic celebration of American freedom by parading through their wonderful neighborhood. Meet on Monday morning, July 4th at Suburban Park Elementary @ 9:30 — andthe parade will step off @ 10:00.
Parade Route: Depart from Suburban Park Elementary > up Carl Street > left on Suburban Parkway > left on Galveston Boulevard > ending at the school. (If you’re not marching, bring a chair and cheer us along the route)
Norfolk Police , Norfolk Sheriff’s Dept., NFD Ladder 9, Norfolk Tide’s very own RIP TIDE!, and many others are joining in the celebration!
****There will also be a Blue Ribbon dessert contest, so put on your aprons and create your best dessert***
The Civic League will be set up at the school to provide refreshments after the parade.
This is a classic event and a great time to meet your neighbors! Bring your bikes, wagons, riders, dogs, power wheels, small convertibles, kids, floats, small marching bands, spirit…and come join our community celebration for the birthday of the greatest country known to man!
For more information call Suburban Acres Secretary , Dee Adams 353-1506
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Add murder charge to burglary suspect
July 1, 2011
Eugene Williams who is also charged with burglarizing Louis A. Daniel, Jr at the Cromwell House on June 15th is now also charged with his murder. Williams is due in court again on July 15th.
1 Comment | crime | Tagged: Cromwell house, eugene williams jr, wards corner | Permalink
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New Police Third Patrol Division building has a community room
June 30, 2011
The new $12,000,000, 42, 269 square foot Police Third Patrol Division building has a room available for community functions. The building houses the 3rd Patrol Division, the Homeland Security Division and Traffic Unit. The building is located behind the Super Wal-Mart on Tidewater Drive on Asbury Avenue in Norfolk’s Central Business Park.
According to WVEC News, Acting Chief Sharon L. Chamberlin said,
This building is a testament to the very vocal and passionate citizens who rallied for many years to have a precinct in the area. Our appreciation to those citizens is recognized with a dedicated room in the building for various community and civic league meetings
The building officially opened Thursday, June 30, 2011 with a ribbon cutting at 10:00 a.m.
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Denby Park’s KaBoom Park to be moved?
June 29, 2011Citing continued crime at the KaBoom park, the City and the Denby Park Civic League are making moves to close the park and relocate it to a safer portion of Monticello village.
The park was built in August 2008 by over 400 volunteers and with a grant from the Chrysler Foundation. It is located at 352 San Antonio Blvd.
As a reminder, page 28 of the 2003 Greater Wards Corner Comprehensive Plan:
[T]he high-density walkup apartments constructed in the Texas Streets section of Denby Park are, for the most part, not desirable housing. They have been built too close together, without appropriate provision of open space, and without amenities. The maze-like character of the resulting development, its proximity to highly-travelled Little Creek Road and to Interstate – 64 make it unfortunately suitable for drug dealing and for serving as a base for other criminal activity. The Norfolk police report that the situation in these buildings is getting worse. They recommend major change: the acquisition and demolition of these buildings, before the situation has even more adverse impacts on the surrounding neighborhoods. The many respectable people who are living in these buildings are being victimized by the current situation.
Comments Off on Denby Park’s KaBoom Park to be moved? | blight, crime | Tagged: crime, Denby Park, KaBOOM! | Permalink
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Former Alexis Apartment site recommended for public hearing on rezoning
June 25, 2011The now cleared site at 1227 W. Little Creek Road where the troubled Alexis Apartment once stood will be recommended to City Council at their Tuesday, June 28th meeting to advertise for a public hearing to rezone from R-14 (High Density Multiple-Family) district to C-2 (Corridor Commercial). The proposed use for the site will be additional parking for the Titustown Recreation Center.
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Update on Homicide at Cromwell House
June 23, 2011
Eugene Williams Jr
Originally reported on June 16, 2011 as Homicide at Cromwell House, the killer of Louis A. Daniel, Jr. has not been caught and police ask that anyone with information on the death call (757) 664-7023.
Nonetheless police have arrested a man in connection with the homicide and charged him with burglary. The alleged criminal is Eugene Williams Jr. of the 1400 block of Long-dale Drive. He is currently being held without bond in the Norfolk City Jail.
See the Virginian-Pilot article and the WVEC article.
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Wards Corner Now - Wards Corner, Norfolk, Virginia 