Wards Corner Cleanup, June 26

June 16, 2010

The following message was received from Laura Thom:

The Wards Corner Litter Task Force wants YOU for the June 26th CLEAN OUR CORNER JUBILEE!
As members of the Wards Corner community, we all have a stake in the condition of our neighborhood. So come join Wards Corner area residents, businesses, and the Sheriff’s Department to clean our corner!

WHEN & WHERE TO MEET:
Saturday, June 26th.
7:30-8:30 for coffee, pastries & registration at
North Shore Sports & Physical Therapy
7419 Granby St.

IMPORTANT:  RSVP to Laura at 489-5820, by June 24th.

Trash bags, safety vests, gloves & water will be provided.

(Rain date, Sunday, June 27th)

Comments Off on Wards Corner Cleanup, June 26 | Uncategorized | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by Wards Corner

Wards Corner Now meeting Saturday, 8:30am at Fitness and Wellness Center

June 15, 2010

Remember that Wards Corner Now is having our meeting this Saturday at 8:30am at the Fitness and Wellness Center.  Please plan on attending.  The Agenda is below.

Agenda

A.  The Landing at Talbot Park

B.  An update on Norfolk Collegiate

C.  Update on A.J. Gators

D.  Other Business.

Comments Off on Wards Corner Now meeting Saturday, 8:30am at Fitness and Wellness Center | Wards Corner Now | Permalink
Posted by Wards Corner

More details on proposed apartments on Newport Ave

June 15, 2010
Collins Apartments - Collins now proposes putting a large apartment building where four small condo buildings were to be built

Collins Apartments - Collins now proposes putting a large apartment building where four small condo buildings were to be built

The developer of WestPort Commons and the (proposed) Landmark at Talbot Park, Art Collins, has provided these additional details about his apartment proposal:

The average rent will be closer to $1200/mo not $1000/mo-contemplated as a class A apartment community with its own amenities.
The mix of apartments will be as follows:
1 Br                  80
2 Br                  95
3 Br                  14
189 apartments
The property is approved for a total of 385 housing units and the current proposal complies will all provisions including setbacks, bldg height etc. of the zoning approval from Nov 2008.
12 condominiums have already been built and 9 have been sold since completion in 2008.
The apartment property is close to 6 acres leaving approximately 7 acres to build the residual 184 housing units over the next few years.
The existing apartments number 200 and it is anticipated that a minimum of 72 will be taken down to accommodate the apartment project leaving 128 remaining until the for-sale markets return.

Comments Off on More details on proposed apartments on Newport Ave | Wards Corner Now | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by Wards Corner

May Meeting Minutes

June 13, 2010

Wards Corner Now – May 15, 2010

Wards Corner Now had a meeting on May 15, 2010 at the Fitness and Wellness Center.  As is customary with WCN meetings, the facilitator of the meeting is rotated month-to-month.  Jim English chaired the meeting.  Topics covered were: DePaul Medical Center, Crosswalks, Proposed Construction at Riverside Terrace, Walgreens, Wards Corner Comprehensive Plan, and the Agenda’s for the May and June meetings.  Newly elected City Council member Andy Protogyrou was present.  Below is a short summary, nothing is verbatim.

DePaul Medical Center: While complete long term plans for the site are still in the development phase, Pam Phillips, DePaul Vice President for Mission, outlined the direction Bon Secours will be taking and upcoming intermediary changes to the buildings and property. Sometime this summer the Vincent Building, which is below current standards, will be razed.  DePaul is currently waiting for the state to approve a cancer treatment center.  Future plans include a 124 bed full service hospital which will include obstetrics and emergency services.  Site plans will include green space and water features.  DePaul is in the midst of a fundraising campaign now and  estimates groundbreaking is  to be in 2014.

Plans are also in the final stages for a new community service – a free mobile medical clinic in partnership with local churches.  Patients will be seen by a physician or nurse practitioner.

Crosswalks: City funding has been approved for 7 crosswalks.  WCN attendees agreed that only 2 crosswalks should be installed at this time and it be proposed to City Council that the “saved” money be added to funds supporting the implementation of the Wards Corner Comprehensive Plan.

Landmark at Talbot Park and Proposed Construction at Riverside Terrace: According to developer Art Collins, in today’s economic climate it is unfeasible to continue with Landmark at Talbot Park as proposed originally.  The revision would include 190 apartments in a 4-story building along the front of the Riverside Terrace property instead of developing the area into condos.  The apartments, most of which would be split between 1 and 2 bedroom units, would rent for approximately $1,000 a month. Consensus of the meeting was that the density planned for the site was too high and the possibility for negative impact on the surrounding neighborhoods was too great.  The WCN steering committee will look into the where Art Collins is in the application process and make further recommendations.

Walgreens: After discussion, the consensus was that the proffered agreement for the special exception license to sell beer should be the same as that at Rite Aid.

June Meeting Agenda Items: Norfolk Collegiate and AJ Gators Updates

Comments Off on May Meeting Minutes | DePaul Hospital, Wards Corner Now | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Wards Corner

Collins applies to build apartments rather than condos

June 11, 2010

Collins LLC, the developer of WestPort Commons (formerly known as WaterMark) on Newport Ave, just north of Granby Elementary, has applied to the City for a siteplan change.  The application is being made because Collins wants to build apartments rather than condos.  Collins blames the market for condos and condo financing on the need to change. The original siteplan called for six small condo buildings closest to Newport Ave and three larger condo buildings closer to the river.  One small condo building has been built thus far on the northeast corner of the property.  The change in siteplan will need to be approved by City Council.

Original Siteplan - shows six small condo buildings nearest Newport Ave and three large condo buildings toward the river

Original Siteplan - shows six small condo buildings nearest Newport Ave and three large condo buildings toward the river

The application that has been filed indicates that Collins wants to combine four of the original small condo buildings into one large apartment complex.  The apartment building will be situated against Newport Ave.

Collins Apartments - Collins now proposes putting a large apartment building where four small condo buildings were to be built

Collins Apartments - Collins now proposes putting a large apartment building where four small condo buildings were to be built

The apartments are to be called “The Landmark at Talbot Park”  and will include 1, 2, and 3 bedroom units.  As currently planned the apartments will not include a pool, tennis courts, or a clubhouse.

The Landmark at Talbot Park - Elevation from Newport Ave

The Landmark at Talbot Park - Elevation from Newport Ave

Collins presented their proposed plan at the May Wards Corner Taskforce meeting.  Some concerns that have been pointed out by those in attendance are: lack of amenities (pool, clubhouse, tennis courts), the appearance of one large, long, 4-story wall on Newport Ave, that Collins promised condos but now wants apartments, and the lack of greenspace.

The portion of the property closest to the river is not being developed at this time and the siteplan for that are will more than likely change in the future.

Please see our July 11, 2008 article titled “WestPort Commons Update” for information about the original plan for the development.

Representatives from Collins will be at the Wards Corner Now meeting on June 19, 2010 at 8:30am at the Fitness and Wellness Center on Newport Ave.  If you have questions or concerns regarding this development, please attend.

9 Comments | Wards Corner Now, Wards Corner Taskforce | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by Wards Corner

Walgreens applies to sell alcohol at Wards Corner

June 8, 2010
Walgreens

Walgreens

Walgreens at Ward’s Corner has applied for a special exception to sell alcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption.  Sale of alcohol requires City permission as well as a state ABC license. The Planning Commission makes a recommendation to City Council on permit approvals.  They are scheduled to go before the Planning Commission on June 24, 2010 and the public hearing is at 2:30pm.

Walgreens filed an application for each of their stores in the City of Norfolk with the City and with the ABC Board.  At the insistence of the Ghent Neighborhood League, Walgreens withdrew their ABC Board application for their Ghent location.

Wards Corner Now discussed this application at their recent meetings in March and May and the overall consensus was that Walgreens should be granted the application but that they should have the same restrictions on the sale of alcohol that Rite Aid has at their location across Little Creek Road.  It was made clear that their should be no single container sales.

Portions of this article were taken from the Suburban Acres Civic League Newsletter

Update 6/9/10: Corrected date of Planning Commission meeting

3 Comments | Uncategorized | Permalink
Posted by Wards Corner

Replace Texas Streets with new ballfields

May 27, 2010
Fleet Park

Fleet Park

The Navy is shutting down Fleet Park and displacing 6 baseball fields used by the Fleet Park Little League with its 550 Little Leaguers.  The Ocean View Little League lost their playing fields last year as the Navy is no longer allowing them to use Navy fields either.  This was reported on by the Virginian-Pilot here.

Remember the Comprehensive Plan(Page 28):

. . . the 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.
Texas Streets Section of Denby Park

Texas Streets Section of Denby Park

The City of Norfolk now has a need for new ballfields for our children.  Let’s consider following the Comprehensive Plan, acquire and demolish the sub-standard housing in the Texas Streets, and build ballfields to replace those lost at Fleet Park.  It would create a centralized place for Fleet Park and Ocean View Little Leagues to call home.

Update: This is an idea that is being floated to gauge support.  This has not been voted on or endorsed in any way by Wards Corner Now or any civic league.

14 Comments | The Greater Wards Corner Comprehensive Plan | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by Wards Corner

Best of Norfolk winners from Wards Corner

May 24, 2010

Congratulations to the following Greater Wards Corner Area businesses who received “Readers Choice Best of Awards” for Norfolk in 2010 (as printed in the Virginian-Pilot):

BEST BREAKFAST – The Pancake House (Gold)

BEST CHINESE – Number 1 Chinese Restaurant (Bronze)

BEST CHIROPRACTOR – Wards Corner Chiropractic (Gold)

BEST PHYSICAL THERAPY – Southeastern Physical Therapy (Silver)

BEST PHYSICAL THERAPY – North Shore Sports and Physical Therapy (Bronze)

BEST PLACE FOR EYE CARE – Pearle Vision (Bronze)

BEST ASSISTED LIVING – The Ballentine (Gold)

BEST ASSISTED LIVING – Province Place of DePaul (Bronze)

BEST PEDIATRICIAN – North Shore Pediatrics (Gold)

BEST ANIMAL HOSPITAL / VET CENTER – Friendship Veterinary Hospital (Bronze)

BEST PET BOARDING – Friendship Veterinary Hospital (Bronze)

BEST RETIREMENT COMMUNITY – The Ballentine (Gold)

BEST RETIREMENT COMMUNITY – The Talbot on Granby (Bronze)

BEST SENIOR SERVICES – The Ballentine (Gold)

BEST SENIOR SERVICES – PrimePlus Norfolk Senior Center (Silver)

BEST SENIOR SERVICES – The Talbot on Granby (Bronze)

BEST HOLISTIC VET – Friendship Veterinary Hospital (Silver)

BEST USED BOOK STORE – Book Exchange (Gold)

BEST PRIVATE SCHOOL – Norfolk Christian (Gold)

BEST PRIVATE SCHOOL – Norfolk Collegiate (Silver)

BEST FASHION JEWELRY / ACCESSORIES STORE – Ben Cooper Jewelers (Gold)

BEST GOLF COURSE – Sewell’s Point Golf Course (Bronze)

BEST SUPERMARKET – Farm Fresh Supermarkets (Gold)

BEST SUPERMARKET – Kroger (Bronze)

BEST PHARMACY – Farm Fresh Supermarkets (Gold)

BEST PHARMACY – Walgreen’s (Silver)

BEST BAKERY – Farm Fresh Supermarkets (Gold)

1 Comment | Virginian-Pilot | Tagged: | Permalink
Posted by Wards Corner

Pilot prints article on Wards Corner Now

May 23, 2010

The Compass section of the Virginian Pilot (May 23, 2010 edition) has an article on about Wards Corner Now and our group was created.  I cannot find the article posted online to link to.  Here are some notable portions of the article:

A new group, called Wards Corner now, formed in March with plans to supplant the partnership. Leaders of the new group said partnership leaders were too caustic in their criticism of the city.

The friction boiled over during a fractious meeting of Wards Corner leaders and city officials months ago that attorney Martin Thomas Jr., a Wards Corner resident, said was simply too toxic.

So Thomas joined civic league presidents Jim English and Jim McDonnell, realtor Louis Eisenberg, chiropractor Brad Robinson and others in leaving the partnership and forming Wards Corner Now.

“We don’t want to fight, we don’t want to bicker,” English said in explaining why he split from the partnership. “You don’t get anywhere that way and that’s where we were headed.”

Added Thomas: “There’s been a lot of negativity going on for about a year. City councilmen weren’t taking them seriously.”

Thomas and others established a website, held monthly meetings and injected themselves into City Council politics in a big way.

The group endorsed Andy Protogyrou in the Ward 1 council race. Protogyrou, a lawyer, defeated three opponents largely because of lopsided victories at Wards Corner area precincts.

“Wards Corner needs an advocate,” Eisenberg said, much like W. Randy Wright has been an advocate for Ocean View.

Wards Corner Now held its initial meeting in March and includes representatives of most Wards Corner civic leagues. Council members Theresa Whibley and Barclay C. Winn attended. Winn called the new group “a positive step for Wards Corner.”

Wards Corner Now: Positive Change for Wards Corner.

Comments Off on Pilot prints article on Wards Corner Now | Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Wards Corner

Another Wards Corner murder

May 13, 2010

The Virginian-Pilot is reporting:

A man died after he was shot in the 7600 block of Lankford Ave., in the Wards Corner section of the city, on Tuesday night.

Deonta Person, 20, was shot just after 9 p.m., police said Wednesday afternoon. Someone drove him to Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center, where he died a short time later, police said.

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

A quick search of the Norfolk Circuit Court docket reveals a “Deonta Person” being indicted in 2009 for 4 counts of robbery and 2 counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

REMEMBER: If you want to be a part of the conversation, Wards Corner Now is having it’s meeting this Saturday at 8:30am at the Fitness and Wellness Center.

Comments Off on Another Wards Corner murder | Uncategorized | Permalink
Posted by Wards Corner

Norfolk Police Department 3rd Patrol Division Red Sector Meeting

May 12, 2010

Norfolk Police Department

3rd Patrol Division

Red Sector Meeting 

Where: Fitness and Wellness Center- Newport Ave.

When:   May 14, 2010 from 11:00AM to 12:00PM
 

Please come to the next meeting

Join in the networking and community partnership

1 Comment | City Of Norfolk, Police, Uncategorized | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by Wards Corner

Don’t miss: Wards Corner Now meeting this Saturday

May 10, 2010

Don’t forget that Wards Corner Now is meeting this Saturday, May 15, 2010, at 8:30am at the Fitness and Wellness Center.  The Agenda includes an introduction of councilman elect, Andy Protogyrou, a representative from DePaul Medical Center, and a report on the crosswalk discussion with Norfolk’s traffic engineer, Guzin Akan.

The Wards Corner Taskforce meeting is scheduled for Thursday at 8:30am at the Fitness and Wellness Center and we will be briefed on that as well.

This meeting will be facilitated by Jim English.

Comments Off on Don’t miss: Wards Corner Now meeting this Saturday | Wards Corner Now | Permalink
Posted by Wards Corner

Andy Protogyrou wins Ward 1 seat on City Council

May 5, 2010
Councilman Andy Protogyrou

Councilman Andy Protogyrou

Congratulations to Andy Protogyrou on being elected to serve as the Ward 1 representative on City Council.  We look forward to working with Andy on making Wards Corner a better place.

2 Comments | Election | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by Wards Corner

In Support of Andy Protogyrou for City Council

April 26, 2010
Andy Protogyrou, Candidate for City Council, Ward 1

Andy Protogyrou, Candidate for City Council, Ward 1

Over the course of the last three months, four candidates running for Norfolk City Council for Ward 1 have been vying for the support and vote of Wards Corner residents in the May 4th election. Many of us have attended several of the candidate forums where the candidates have appeared and discussed the issues. Recently, those of us who live in Ward 1 have started receiving campaign literature from three of the four candidates.

We want to set the record straight.  The candidates, with the exception of one, have not indicated any real plan to revitalize Wards Corner.  Mr. Brewer and Mrs. Saunders tend to dance around that issue without offering any real ideas.  Mr. Brewer has repeatedly said, in the forums that we have attended, that putting more police officers and code enforcement inspectors will effect change. We, however, all agree that this approach is merely a temporary band-aid that has been tried over the past 10 years without any substantial results.

Let us be very clear. We, as active civic leaders of the Greater Wards Corner Area, support Andy Protogyrou for City Council as the only credible and viable candidate for Ward One. We encourage you to do the same.

The other two candidates have only recently positioned Wards Corner as a top priority due to the positive feedback and endorsements that Andy Protogyrou is receiving.

Andy Protogyrou lives in the Greater Wards Corner Area, has been a Civic League President, and demonstrates a resume that clearly puts him head and shoulders above the other candidates. He has what it takes to be our advocate and get the job done to revitalize Wards Corner and address the issues of Ward 1.

It was us, the undersigned, who approached Andy Protogyrou to run for City Council and NOT the downtown crowd as some have suggested.

Andy’s approach to revitalization is based on good business sense, proper economic development strategies, and a clear understanding that a healthy business district drives healthy neighborhoods.  More police and code inspectors, although important, don’t effect the necessary change.

Andy has said from the day he announced his candidacy that his focus will be on:
1.  The redevelopment and the economic prosperity of Wards Corner,
2.  The flooding of Mason Creek and Willoughby,
3.  Bringing a commonsense approach to City spending,
4.  Creating a good learning environment for our children, and
5.  Improving the quality of life for all.

We all believe that Andy Protogyrou possesses those qualities that are required and necessary to revitalize Wards Corner and be an effective advocate on City Council.   Several organizations agree, including the: Norfolk Professional Firefighters Local 68, Tidewater Builders Association, Eastern Virginia Labor Federation, AFL-CIO, Hampton Roads Realtors Association and United Black Firefighters.  This is perhaps the most important election to date for the citizens of Ward 1. We ask that you join us and vote for Andy Protogyrou.

Sincerely,

Jim English
Louis Eisenberg
Jim McDonnell
Dr. Brad Robinson
Martin Thomas Jr.
Update: The Virginian-Pilot agrees and has endorsed Andy as well!

Comments Off on In Support of Andy Protogyrou for City Council | Election, wards corner | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Wards Corner

Norfolk Budget Proposal gives Wards Corner $1,767,500

April 23, 2010

The City of Norfolk Proposed Operating and Capital Improvement Budget was presented by the City Manager to City Council on April 20.  The proposed Budget can be found on the City’s website, here.

The proposal includes $1,767,500 to be used in the implementation of the Wards Corner Neighborhood Plan.  The project description states:

Provide funds to improve the residential and business areas of Wards Corner consistent with the Neighborhood Plan. Acquisition of blighted property from willing sellers will be pursued based on prioritizing areas in a strategic manner.

The current budget (2010) allocated $1,010,000 to the Wards Corner Neighborhood Plan and proposed $1,000,000 for 2011.  The 2011 budget proposal now includes $767,500 more than what was proposed in 2010.

2011 Budget Proposal for Wards Corner Neighborhood Plan

2011 Budget Proposal for Wards Corner Neighborhood Plan

In addition the budget proposal allocates $135,000 of the $1.5 million that is estimated to be needed to replace or reconfigure the Fitness and Wellness Center’s indoor pool roof, renovate the Men’s locker room and renovate the banquet hall.

The intersection of Tidewater Drive and Little Creek Road was, according to the 2010 budget, going to receive $4.8 million in 2011 for reconstruction of the intersection at grade.  The new budget proposal only allocates $150,000 towards that reconstruction, with the remainder of the money allocated over the 2012 and 2013 budgets.

3 Comments | City Of Norfolk, Norfolk Fitness and Wellness Center | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by Wards Corner

« Previous Entries
Next Entries »