Sky06

I think it's equally unfair to compare Norfolk to Charlotte or Baltimore. After all, where do you go for entertainment in those cities? Most likely the only places they have: downtown. Hampton Roads, on the other hand, due to several large independent cities, has numerous competing destinations. You don't have to go to downtown Norfolk for a huge selection of places for dinner or nightlife. You can also go to the oceanfront, Shore Drive, Town Center, Greenbrier, downtown Portsmouth, the Peminsula, etc. If you were to compare the aggregate of those places to those other cities, it would be a completely different story. The problem with Hampton Roads is that because we have multiple cities, we have a region spread out and dispersed much like Washington, DC, with several different centers of activity. The difference is that DC has 3 times our population and can more easily handle these many centers. In some ways having this diversity and options is good; in other ways, it usually results in unfair (or incomplete) comparisons.

A lot of this may be just speculation regarding the future (particularly spaces around Harbor Park and the Mall). But the height of Wells Fargo is intriguing, mainly becuase there was never any talk previously about that many floors that subsequently led to a downgrade due to the economy. Instead, this is new info (as long as it's not a typo). But here are some reasons why it could be plausible: 1. This building was over 80% leased before they broke ground. 2. Some large businesses will locate in the building. Who knows? Economic conditions may mean additional consolidation of offices to this site. 3. Available office space is becoming more and more scarce, so businesses want to get in while they still can. 4. Meanwhile, the amenties will help demand. You have a light rail stop there. A new hotel that could host corporate conferences. And plenty of restuarants and shopping. 5. Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the parking seem to be more that what we originally thought? Yes, I know the parking will be used for a number of purposes, including public events. But I never expected the parking garages to be this massive. Oh, well, nice to dream.

I agree with pe. This space needs to be public. A private building will do nothing to bring people downtown, attract tourists from other places, bring in conventions, or anything else. A space with restaurants, bars, theaters, farmer's market, etc. will attract people. This space MUST complement Town Point Park and its festivals. The comparisons to Baltimore are a bit unfair. Remember, they have MLB and the NFL very close by. As for all stores at Inner Harbor, we have most of those places too. Some are at McArthur, some at Town Center, and some at other places. The point isn't the lack of those places. It's providing an environment that people want to visit. One thing I disagree with in pe's post is that the change made several years ago WAS successful for a while. Not that long ago, you could see lines to get into nearly every place (Bar Norfolk, Have a Nice Day Cafe, even Jillians). Thus, things could be good again if they modernized, cleaned up, created better sense of connection with rest of DT, created activities at TPP that complemented Waterside (e.g., showing NFL games on Sundays on a big screen at amphitheater), ran shuttles from building to Scope/Harbor Park/Foreman Field, etc. etc.

The Sargeant Room at the new library has an extensive history of old photos. Yes, I'm pissed that great buildings like the Monticello Hotel and Atlantic Hotel were torn down. Without trying to defend the redevelopment actions from the 50s and 60s, which as has been said were actions that went too far, I will point out a few differences in those days. The public rushed to the suburbs for more space, less crime, less traffic. So the demand for downtown efficiencies was less. And there was no such thing as mixed use, so an old hotel couldn't be retrofitted to accommodate offices, classrooms, libraries, even apartments. There was no such thing as condos, so older buildings, no matter how historic or beautiful, were never converted to residential living, particularly when everyone wanted to live in the suburbs with a white picket fence. Even hotels themselves got new suburban units, with pools and other stuff. A city like NY has everything located in downtown, so the demand was still there. One guy may not have wanted it, but another guy saw the location and loved it. Again, I which the old buildings (Armory, Union Station, etc.) were still here, but it's almost understandable why they're not.

Bobby Huber clearly got in over his head with the La Galleria change. He should have left it all as is; both places (LG and Bobbywood) did decent business. Maybe I can pick up a nice Espresso machine from the auction.

The Craney Island expansion will make HR the largest port on the East Coast. Larger than New York.

Was it the recession or was it something else? I always enjoyed going to 219, but I'm thinking once again the Pilot fails to give the full picture. After all, one place closing because of health code violations isn't a story. The usual Pilot agenda of negativism is. See the following link from the same newspaper: Inspections Note the following at end: "Manager/Owner aggress to suspend operation until follow-up inspection finds the above violations corrected."

BB&T isn't closing. See excerpt from Insidebiz (20 Mar). wonder what will become of existing building for Chamber? "After a lengthy search of properties, the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce is moving to a new home and closing down its satellite offices. In fact, the regional chamber will remain in downtown Norfolk, not far from its current home near St. Paul

Go for it

I've said it a thousand times, the editorial page is the only decent part of the Pilot newspaper. Well written. On the other hand, how does a guy like Deizel get elected? "Wait-and-see approach"? Show some balls, dude. Do what you were elected to do: LEAD!

I complete agree with you. I truly believe the one thing they can do to modernize and brighten the space (along with maybe retiling the floor, etc.) is to replace the ugly, outdate roof with a clear glass one. Maybe tint or frost it where the sun hits in the afternoon. This will brighten the space, allow people to look at the stars at night, and look much better and more modern from outside. Couple that with a Hooters shuttle to Harbor Park, Scope, Constant Center, and beginning next fall, Foreman Field.

Day Building at Foreman Field: Side view: From above: Foreman Field: Football is coming:

Monticello utility work: Harbor Park: Across I-264 from Harbor Park. You can see NS train. Past Norfolk State: Looking the other way toward Beach: By Curlew Drive, between Broad Creek and Military Hwy: Curlew Drive, looking toward Military Hwy:

One consistent complaint about Waterside is how separated the building is from the rest of downtown. While hardly very far away, it does feel more distant than even one end of Granby Street from another. One option that might resolve this is to create a single structure spanning both sides of Waterside Drive through which the road would pass. Instead of a large parking garage on the DT side, parking could be built under ground with the building above. Pedestrians would be able to approach at street level from all sides and cross Waterside via a moving walkway. The waterfront section could still be larger and have a similar footprint to what it has today. Of course, a major facelift for that end would still be needed. Below are some examples of roads going "through" buildings: Google Earth Osaka Just a thought.

Foreman Field Day Bldg and parking deck progress: 2nd University Village research center progress:

Part of the construction leg between Harbor Park and NSU:

You know, I thought this site was about construction projects, not a forum for criticizing every fricking thing you can think of. What makes me laugh is that everyone in this town who criticizes something thinks they are the exception. I got news for you: If you're here, you're part of the problem. I find these accusations nothing more than stupid, uninformed exaggerations. Uninformed because those who make them will never be caught dead at an art gallery (their kind of place is Hooters), a classical concert (they probably listen to Bob FM), or a fine resturant (Hardees is more their style). Why? Because they are too cheap to try something better. And because they're too cheap, they just adopt the belief that these places don't exist. Kind of let's them off the hook for their cheapness, doesn't it? The local art scene is very strong. (At least, that's what the NY Times and other outside publications tell us. Of couse, the Pilot could always be smarter than the Times, but I kind of doubt it.) I just heard a local woman sing a set of Italian arias with a passion no person lacking in creativity could ever accomplish. I just bought some art work from a local artist (a Phillipino woman who gratuated from ODU) that looks like nothing else I've seen. I've eaten at dozens of resturants that blow away your "amazing hamburger from Austin." I mean, you really don't think we have anything like that here? As I said before, you have to make the effort. Try the Coastal Grill, Vintage Kitchen, Todd Jurich's, Pasta E Pani. Oh, I know, you're still eating your wings at Hooters.

When is this expected to be approved?

Doubtful. They're probably just reacting to the "Tear Waterside down" hype.

ODU Boasts Ten Alumni In 2008 Beijing Olympic Games Meyers Coached USA Pitching Staff Has 0.88 ERA, Blanks Japan In 12 innings For FISU Gold Medal Win

It's going to happen. ODU is scheduling some cupcakes right now because they are starting from scratch.

From what I can see, there's significant progress in the construction. Work is being done (or soon will be) at Broad Creek, the smaller creek closer to downtown, and especially west of NSU. I never see anybody out there, but the work's getting done.