[Norfolk International Airport]

Flying to Newport News is a bit of a pain, but I do it because Airtran has great service direct to LaGuardia. USAirways really can't compete with Airtran's Jet Service - USAirways flies those annoying and cramped prop planes to NYC and their prices are way more expensive. I wish Norfolk would get Airtran or JetBlue so i wouldn't have to drive the 45 minutes to Newport News from VaBeach when I come visit.

[Norfolk Stores and Retail and Resturants]

Macy's in the Northeast are also like this (inconsistant). I think I read somewhere the reasoning behind this is that Macy's tailors its stores to their perceived socio-economic clientele on a store by store basis. Now that Macy's is here and in full force, I think that we will see more of that. The perception from people who have only experienced Macy's in DC or other high end markets is that Macy's is inconsistant. However, this has been their strategy for quite some time now in markets where they are more prevalent.

The source of my frustration with Macy's in HR was after a visit to the Lynnhaven Store. I figured since it was the biggest store in the region, that it would be the "flagship" Macy's, but it was REALLY disappointing to me. I mean, I'm used to shopping at the big mama Macy's on 34th Street and I definitely wasn't expecting anything near that level, and I figured that the Macy's at the other malls would be tailored more to the HR market, but I didnt' expect the Lynnhaven store to be as underwhelming as it was - same Hecht's blandness.

Third, look at the fact that our largest employer has a pretty regulated dress code.

Now, this is one point I've completely overlooked in this whole discussion. All the Navy folks wear their uniforms and don't need to buy dress to impress clothes for work.

[Norfolk Stores and Retail and Resturants]

The Military Circle Macy's is far inferior to other Macy's in the area.

I've been to the Macy's in Lynnhaven and Greenbriar and both of

them have more higher end merchandise.

Dillard's stores are pretty similar when it comes to merchandise,

so why doesn't Macy's be more consistant?

I sent a message to Macy's a few weeks ago regarding the inconsistent quality of merchandise and experience at Macy's in Hampton Roads. A VP in the Macy's South headquarters replied to me and then forwarded my message on to the store manager at the Lynnhaven Macy's, which was the main source of my complaints in that message. I spoke with an official in the Lynnhaven store, and told her that I felt that the Macy's stores in Hampton Roads seemed little more than warmed over Hecht's stores. She told me that Macy's is still in the process of fully converting the former Hecht's into the full Macy's experience, which includes different merchandise and service. But she did say that Macy's tailors the stores to the markets that they feel they are serving and that they saw Hampton Roads as a more casual and laid back market, thus the lack of full lines of higher priced labels. I didn't really like her answer and told her that Macy's stands to turn off many potential customers in Hampton Roads by simply rebadging Hechts as Macy's and not really providing a difference in the experience.

I also told her that if all of the stores in Hampton Roads can't support the higher end merchandise of a true New York-style Macy's, then they should at least designate one store to be the flagship or create a new one at MacArthur Center, which would carry full lines of higher end labels and their own in-house brands.

It is pretty sad though that with over 1.6 million people, Hampton Roads still gets short shrift in its retail offerings.

[Norfolk Stores and Retail and Resturants]

Is the "Third Anchor" parcel of land definitely the place where the Barnes and Noble is going to be constructed, or was that just strong conjecture by the Pilot? It just seems like such a large opportunity cost to have a B&N Bookstore only partially use that lot and then render the rest of the buildable space unusable for a true third anchor or other development for the mall.

[Atlantic Park (Under Construction)]

Given that CMSS is pretty much the official architecture firm for Armada Hoffler's local developments, I'm not surprised by the mediocrity in the design that was just released in the Pilot. Maybe I'm too cynical, but I really don't believe that Sunrise Development's proposals for the beach are even serious options - but it is nice to dream that those alluring glass towers would ever see real steel and concrete in Hampton Roads rather than another CMSS pre-cast concrete and brick clone.

Armada Hoffler presents this proposed development that now requires the City to pay for the monorail? How audacious is that? The Dome Site is too far and inconvenient to be the Convention Center hotel but too close to justify spending $65 million for a glorified shuttle. The 3/4 mile stub of a monorail is not part of any pre-existing regional mass transportation plan I've seen so it's not likely that it would be extended into a larger transit system. In any case, elevated rail tracks are unattractive in an urban setting and would not be a good option for the resort. So in essence, the monorail is a subsidized toy to Armada Hoffler to make its development fun. For far less than $65 mil, the City could implement an attractive bus-based transit system much like the Downtown DC Circulator (http://www.dccirculator.com) that would be far more effective at shuttling passengers back and forth from the convention center and could be expanded throughout the resort strip.

If Va Beach really wants to support the Convention Center, then get a firm to build an appropriate convention center hotel next to the convention center, and not tie the Dome site to the fortunes of the Convention Center, as is the case in Armada Hoffler's proposal.

[Norfolk Stores and Retail and Resturants]

The interesting thing about the ban on smoking in restaurants and bars is that most discussion about the issue is framed from a consumer-choice perspective (choice to have a smoking vs. non-smoking restaurant experience) rather than an employee working condition perspective.

I don't recall what the law is in Virginia, but the New York City ban was first enacted not only because of the benefits to customers, but most of all because people who work in restaurants and bars are technically entitled to a non-smoking work environment just like anyone else who works in the office towers, retail stores, etc.

Almost four years after the ban was passed here in NYC, going out to the bars and clubs is a far more enjoyable experience without the din of second-hand smoke and the thousands of service sector employees who work in restaurants and bars don't have their health threatened every day by second hand smoke.

So yeah, your token East Village hipster will complain in public when a newspaper reporter asks, but privately, many feel the same way about the ban - that it's actually been a great thing. Last time I visited Va. Beach over the holidays, I met some friends at the Red Star Tavern in Pembroke and found it impossible to deal with all the second-hand smoke and hated the way my clothes smelled. So be happy that Norfolk is considering the ban!

[Norfolk Pictures]

All the talk of new development on Norfolk's last remaining parking lots makes me realize that Norfolk really did wholesale brain surgery during the urban renewal area. I mean, there was so much urban fabric that was just leveled in the name of slum clearance. I mean, I'm a fan of the great development that is gracing the city now, but I'm also a bigger fan of the quirky urban grain of cities with a tight and dense collection of old buildings juxtaposed with new ones. Just look at these shots of OLD norfolk, pre-Urban Renewal.

My point is that I lament that Norfolk leaders of the early 20th century felt that they needed to conduct what was essentially a complete heart transplant on Norfolk when a lot of that fabric today could be interesting "pre-war" loft apartments, spaces for interesting small businesses, nooks and crannies for jazz clubs, and the like of which you see in NYC's East Village, Philly's South Street and other similar places. But I realize that I say that with the benefit of my hindsight living now in 2006.

All of these photos are from the Sargeant Memorial Room Historical Photos Webpage of the Norfolk Public Library Website, a great online resource for historic Norfolk photos. http://www.npl.lib.va.us/absoluteig/gallery.asp?categoryid=1

Main Street looking west to the present day site of the Norfolk World Trade Center and Nauticus.

Main Street looking west, from approximately Commercial Place.

Main Street looking east at Commercial Place, with current City Jail at Civic Center in background.

Aerial view of East Main Street area, current Civic Center site, with Urban Renewal in action. Note how much demolition has taken place. Norfolk Union Station is the tall slender building in the far background, upper right of photo.

Aerial view of Norfolk Union Station, which was located at the intersection of East Main Street and Water Street, across from the main entrance of present-day Harbor Park.

Granby Street looking south at intersection of City Hall Avenue. Tall building is the old Royster Building, now HQ for Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority. Site to the bottom left is the old Monticello Hotel site, now Federal Building. Black building in the center left is the site of the new Trader Square building.

Granby Street looking north from the same vicinity. You can see the Norfolk Federal Courthouse in the far distance.

Bank Street looking north from Main Street, ca. 1934. The area in the center of the photo is now the site of MacArthur Center. City Hall, now MacArthur Memorial, is in the center right.

Bank Street and Baxter Street, in the area of what is now the center court where Santa sits in MacArthur Center. Freemason Street Baptist Church of Norfolk in the background.

Bank Street looking north from Plume Street, ca. 1960. The area in the center of the photo is now the site of MacArthur Center. City Hall, now MacArthur Memorial, is in the center right.

Bank Street looking north from Plume Street, ca. 1968. The area in the center of the photo is now the site of MacArthur Center. City Hall, now MacArthur Memorial, is in the center right.

[Norfolk Pictures]

I don't know if this has already been posted or discussed on this forum, but Microsoft Live Local's failure to have the most recently updated satellite imagery available makes it a nice source for historic aerial shots of downtown Norfolk circa early 1990's. Check out this before and after I made with a Live Local aerial photo and a Google Maps aerial photo; it really shows with impact the planning produced in downtown Norfolk.

[Norfolk Stores and Retail and Resturants]

Hi All, This is my inaugural post on UP. I love the discussion about urban development that's going on here and am glad to see the Hampton Roads region finally get on the bandwagon.

My post is related to the quality of the Macy's that replaced Hecht's in the region. I live in New York, but visit VaBeach often. This past Christmas, I visited the Macy's in Lynnhaven Mall, thinking it was going to be a huge improvement over Hecht's in terms of selection of goods, presentation and experience. I was sorely disappointed. I love shopping at Macy's here in NYC, but the new Macy's down there didn't resemble my experience when I go to Macy's in New York. I sent them the following email letter that I thought I'd share with you here. I put this post here because I gave a big plug for Macy's to consider MacArthur Center for a flagship store.

Peace.

My comments are about the store at the Lynnhaven Mall location.

My Overall Shopping Experience at this location was Disappointing.

I thought that the Overall Cleanliness at this location was Disappointing.

I thought that the Overall Attitude of the Associates at this location was Very Good.

Shopping Experience Comments:

Dear Macy's,

First off, please do not sell my email address or phone number. I only provided them here because I am sincerely interested in the success of your brand and of the stores that you converted from Hecht's to Macy's in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia. I provided my contact information because I would be happy to discuss further my thoughts on my store experience in Virginia.

I am originally from Virginia Beach, VA and on my recent visit to my family this past Christmas holiday 2006, I decided to go shopping at the Lynnhaven Mall Macy's in Virginia Beach. I currently live in Brooklyn and I love shopping at Macy's, whether it's at Herald Square or in downtown Brooklyn. I think the selection of goods is outstanding for the price value, the stores are generally presentable and uncluttered. I always walk out of the store with something I want or pleased with thoughts of things I need to buy on a future visit.

I raved to my family that they would love Macy's so much more than Hechts when it was announced that Federated was buying the May Company stores and converting them to the Macy's nameplate.

I visited the Macy's at Lynnhaven Mall around Christmas, assuming that was going to be the flagship store for Macy's in the area due to its location in Lynnhaven Mall. I was hoping to find a good assortment of INC clothing, Alfani brand shoes, and higher quality clothing from labels that were never available at Hecht's (I always thought Hecht's had such a dowdy selection of goods). Mind you, I wasn't expecting all of the high fashion labels that are available on the 2nd Floor of the Men's Store at Herald Square, but I was expecting a significant improvement over Hecht's. However during my visit - a visit when I was ready to plunk down a significant amount of money on clothing - I was sorely disappointed and left empty handed.

My experience at the Lynnhaven Mall Macy's wasn't markedly different from the Hecht's that it replaced - the only substantial differences I noticed were, obviously the new store name, the new directional signage and price scanners in the store and a few token items from Macy's in-house brands such as INC and Alfani in the Men's section and MAC makeup in the cosmetics area.

Overall, the selection and quality of goods seemed little changed from what Hecht's had offered. I found the same unexciting and even frumpy garments for sale and the same old Calvin Klein/Ralph Lauren/Nautica items that are just so boring and which Hecht's always offered.

However, most importantly, the store was a cluttered mess and the appearance really disappointed me. I know it was the busy holiday season, but clothing was in a disarray all over the store - not just in the men's section, and the store's presentation still had the cluttered, overfilled/unedited selection and unkempt appearance that I felt Hecht's always had. In New York, I feel that the stores have a wide selection of carefully chosen goods at various price ranges, but not simply everything garment available under the sun.

Furthermore, when I need shoes, I know I can always depend on Macy's in New York to have exactly what I need - particularly in the quality loafers and dress shoes I use for work and going out. The Men's Shoe section at Macy's in Lynnhaven Mall was an utter joke. It was a small corner next to the Men's underwear section and had an embarrassingly unattractive selection of shoes - I was really hoping to buy replacements for my Alfani loafers that I bought at Herald Square and which I love.

Now, I know that Federated only recently bought May Co., and perhaps some time will be needed to fully transition the stores to the complete Macy's experience and get rid of all that dowdy old inventory from Hecht's. But if that is the case, you need to hurry up. It is my sense that the first impression Federated has left in Virginia Beach has been underwhelming. My mom and aunt both told me that they didn't like Macy's and thought it was the same as Hecht's but with higher prices.

During my visit to Virginia Beach, I also went to the Greenbrier Mall Macy's in Chesapeake which left me with the same experience I had at Lynnhaven Mall - it was simply Hecht's with a different name.

I really want Macy's to succeed and I hope you will take my comments to heart. I would love to be able to go to a Macy's in Hampton Roads when I visit and be able to leave with something I want. As far as department stores, that area has Nordstrom - which has more of a selection of goods I would like to buy but generally at much higher price points; Dillard's - which is little different from the old Hecht's in terms of price and selection (i.e. unexciting and generally conservatively styled clothing); and then mass-market or discount retailers like JCPenney, Sears, Target and Wal-Mart. I think a store with the full Macy's experience would fill an unserved market niche in that area - high quality, forward-fashions and exciting styles and brands at moderate price points. I would love to see that happen. For one, the sales taxes are lower there, and two, my parents are usually willing to buy me things when I come home. So please improve the experience at Macy's at the former Hecht's in Hampton Roads or at least create one flagship store that has the true Macy's experience. Perhaps instead of making an existing store that flagship, you could create an exciting new store at Norfolk's MacArthur Center. There is still a spot left for a three-level anchor store at that mall and I and many others in the area would be thrilled if Macy's filled that spot at that terrific mall.

Thank you.