spiker3

Reeds Jewelers had a very poor location in the mall, it was second floor in the back near Tidewater Sports and Collectibles and the former Maternity store, no surprise they packed up when their lease ended. Christian Bernard on the other hand is one of the highest traffic spots in the mall, and will be a prime location for someone to take over. I know Kay Jewelers has been looking to relocate in the mall for years now, they may take over that location... mike25, i've actually looked into opening a Chick-fil-A in downtown myself, Chick-fil-A is notoriously difficult for a) getting a franchise and b) placing a franchise. You don't go to CFA and say, i want to build one here, they tell you where your location will be; if downtown Norfolk isn't on their business plan, it's not going to happen Tel, HMSHost's contract is up for re-negotiation currently, with their lease ending in December 2010. If the mall or HMSHost declines to renew, you will see new brands in the food court. Given the economic climate and HMSHost's performance the last two years, it's 50-50 right now that things go through. Recently the management structure merged with the airport, making things that much more difficult to manage, so you never know...keep your fingers crossed.

The city could ask for it, but Taubman would have to design it, approve it and pay for it...makes it less likely. I'd like to see Granby St retail turned around as well, I'm just a little skeptical, if Town Center retail is still struggling (doing better but not driving traffic by any means) Granby doesn't have the pull to make me go there except for Friday and Saturday nights as it is...

The old Tides, not the new Tides. New Tides are lacking since we signed with Baltimore

Welcome to Norfolk...you're staying in the Botetourt?

Regardless of our feelings, to have a project move forward in this economic climate deserves some praise. Kudos to Newby & Co for being able to get it done after the market bottom fell out.

Indeed. I'm curious about the travel path along the Elizabeth River that the city has in mind for LR. It still probably makes the most sense getting to ODU and Naval Base. A little discouraging with the comment it won't happen while he is the mayor...

There's alot more than just that, there's the new court building 'rendering' (hypothetical) plus the mythological Synder Lot project has a rendering in there, the Harbor Park project, i'm in heaven right now...there's even a different angle rendering of the Westin CC, that is going to be monsterous if that's to scale

I'm confused now, which corner? And what is the project going into the massive vacant space on the other corner of High and Effingham, i saw there's a redevelopment sign in the window but not sure what it is?

I think Sessom's argument towards Obendorf was pretty spot on. Virginia Beach has grown by leaps and bounds in the last twenty years, and while she's been a tremendous Ambassador for the city, when's the last time you heard of her pushing or controlling anything? With the rise in developments, Town Center, Convention Center and the like, it's time the mayor of VB became more of a powerful individual rather than a figurehead/spokesperson. Plus light rail coming to VB looks much brighter now. Kudos.

This project is not in place of third crossing, it would be in addition to the 6 projects ear-marked as priorities by the region. This caught on recently when Fraim said he would support proposals for an expanded HRBT. Short of an additional 4 lanes, i'm not sure what good any of these would do. A bridge would help but could potentially impact the terminal traffic that is one of the life-lines of the area (fancy renderings aside obviously)

Waterside Dr is already two lanes in front of Waterside, unless you're talking about removing the valet, street parking, turn lane onto Martin Lane, and opposite side turn lane. If the city tears down Waterside, they would not build another one. While i don't see it happening, they'd solicit proposals ala VB with the Dome site, and go for a Kansas City Power Light district feel in the scenario you're discussing (closing and moving roads) in my opinion

LR Station Near NSU to be Moved ....adding 'only' $1.5 million to the cost...

metal i was just thinking the same thing, especially with the hotel definitely going next to the convention center and the monorail being dropped last year...

VB Touts LR Amid New Economic Realities

Regarding the Taco Bell lot, it may have mentioned before but.... As someone very familiar with the industry, the owner of Taco Bell will almost definitively sell when the right offer comes along. Why? It dawned on me the other day when i was driving past it on the way home from work...it's still the old 1990s style Taco Bell, with one of the highest volume locations in the state, in a very high profile and traffic location. Everything says this store should have been remodeled and/or retro-fitted with the newer style TB years ago (like many other less likely locations). Why not remodel? Because sooner or later there's going to be a sale. It doesn't make sense to put $1.5 - $3 million into updating, when you know you'll be selling the location. Does that make sense, lol

I dont think either blows either out of the water, but they are definitely lights years beyond the current level of architecture in the area right now. While i personally favor the AH proposal as well, i think if we had to 'settle' for the Hyatt it would still be a coup for the city. It's great to see the level of competition make both companies put the best on the table. Virginia Beach will win either way

Lucas Plans to Revive Conference Center Plans This farce has gone on long enough, why they're insisting on dragging it through the mud is beyond me. Portsmouth rejected it, and even if it is somehow miraculously approved on try #2, Norfolk will almost certainly reject it. Also suggesting that City Council members who have invested or received campaign contributions do not have a "conflict of interest" is a joke. I wish this project would just die already, it's not a good idea, and will never be, regardless how many people chip in $20, $50 or $100 towards it.

Fixed link: 2 Story Harris Teeter One of the best points of this article is that the old store will be completely torn down, and a store built from scratch. In doing so they'll open up towards Colonial Ave, rather than having it's back to it, as is the case now. The current layout makes Colonial Ave feel very closed in for this stretch; in opening it, will go better with the feel of the neighborhood. This is a win win!

While clearly vocal, the NIMBYs and detractors of this project are far far fewer than ten years ago or even a year ago. While there are some steps to get past, chief among them how will it be paid for, it is going to happen. The one quote that resonated the most was this: Combating comments on VP aren't going to sway the council one way or another. The elections this fall however will. But there's little doubt about the outcome of all of this: Light Rail is going to be a reality in Virginia Beach. Now it's just a matter of time and money.

The Virginian Republican Blog

I personally would love for Independence to be dropped beneath Virginia Beach Blvd, but i don't think it'll happen. And while the nimbys are out in force, i do have to agree, the idea of shrinking virginia beach blvd is one of the worst ideas in a long time

Two months ago while i was interviewing with different companies, one of my head hunters gave me a rundown on Jillians. They're located in Charlotte, so not on site, but in their location profile it said inspite of the uncertainty with the venue, regardless Jillians was commited to the market for at least the next decade; specifically, even if they closed or lost their lease, they would for certain open elsewhere. Obviously every company is different, but that's the take that Jillians has at least.

That's unusual, Blackfinn was the newest entertainment tenant (if i'm not mistaken) that's pretty abrupt. Another economy victim?

Thanks burt, i appreciate it. I thought there might be a little more history to it since it's still there a century later (it obviously looked old) Either way it was very unique above the mounds and mini-islands in the James River.