jeffconn

Interesting. The place that was there before, Tanner's Creek Restaurant, had live music and served beer until 2 am. The pizza place across the street also serves beer until 2. I wonder if the AW Shucks folks would have bought the property if they knew the city was going to screw them over without reason.

The "Virginian-Pilot Archives" Facebook page today has a series of pictures of the downtown Trailways depot. Nice looking 2 story building. Shame it met the wrecking ball. https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Virginian-Pilot-Archives/176507505753256 https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.399938333410171.84284.176507505753256&type=1

Considering who's proposing this project, if this ever sees the light of day, I'd consider it a miracle. Doesn't he still owe people who put down money on the building across from the Federal Building?

From the Daily Press: (the article will probably be password protected soon, so read it now.) http://www.dailypress.com/news/traffic/exclusive/dp-nws-evg-amtrak-peninsula-20121129,0,595622.story Emphasis is mine. So, NN is planning for light rail. If they could only solve that little problem called the Chesapeake Bay.

Just went to KIngs 168 behind the Lambert's Point Rec Center next to ODU after voting on Tuesday. Not sure when it opened (there used to be a pizza/sub place there), but it's got good seafood, and is VERY cheap. A variety of seafood and sandwiches. Nice little neighborhood restaurant.

Bad, short-sighted choice. They should have put the transfer station in Harbor Park, so it would have been EASIER to integrate all the various modes of transportation: HRT buses, Elizabeth River ferry, Greyhound, Amtrak, the Tide, the water taxi, bike taxis, taxicabs, park-and-ride. And the possible FUTURE transportation options, like a Chesapeake Bay ferry, a commuter train from Edenton and Elizabeth City, and bike rental stations.

Lots of transit news lately. Now some entrepreneurs want to start a bike sharing program in the Portsmouth and Norfolk downtowns. http://hamptonroads.com/2012/10/new-way-around-norfolk-could-be-bikesharing

Two recent articles from the Pilot: http://hamptonroads.com/2012/10/norfolk-wants-new-bus-station-where Why is this still not decided? Harbor Park is the perfect place for a multimodal transit station. Remember the plans for the Harbor Park transit station that surfaced a few years ago? And somewhat related: http://hamptonroads.com/2012/10/interest-builds-ferry-between-norfolk-peninsula A high speed ferry would be a breeze to dock at Harbor Park, with a connection to the Tide, Amtrak, and (maybe one day) the Portsmouth ferry, HRT buses, the private water taxi, and Greyhound all within walking distance. Okay, i'm off my soapbox now. Discuss.

I've been to that 7-11 a few times. It's a nice one. A good selection of craft beers, and even a few local brews. With its newspaper selection, it's the closest thing to a newsstand that downtown has. The store just got sold to a franchisee, so hopefully it will stay classy.

Since ODU is joining Conference USA, that would be a more likely option. MEAC might not sell out Scope, so let's wait and see about that.

From Inside Business, an article with a little more meat, and info about the principals in this proposed deal: http://insidebiz.com/news/sources-sacramento-kings-may-move-virginia-beach-arena-deal-works

In the "everything old is new again" department, a company wants to restart ferry service across the harbor. http://www.dailypress.com/news/traffic/exclusive/dp-nws-fast-ferry-20120718,0,2587076.story The article mentions Harbor Park as a possible boarding area for the ferry, but not downtown. I'm all for another mode of transport that would make Harbor Park a true multi-modal center.

Brown Bag Cafe has had its locks changed and there was a landlord repo notice on the door.

Here's an article talking about the 6 month anniversary of the Tide from a Washington, DC blog. http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/13781/ride-the-tide-of-light-rail-virginia-beach/ Ride The Tide of light rail, Virginia Beach In the article, the author includes his dream map of the Tide going to the VB oceanfront. http://g.co/maps/pk53j I have to admit that i didn't think of cutting through the trailer park to get to the VB Convention Center. It makes sense. BTW, besides the normal naysayers, the commenters talk about the possible routes to the Naval Base.

Obvious question: Why there? I thought the bus transfer station was supposed to be at Harbor Park.

It's gonna be awhile before they open. For one thing, they're gonna have to have a real floor! It's dirt inside there now.

Very sad news. Independent clothing store Altschul's closed down after 113 years. http://hamptonroads.com/2011/12/altschuls-apparel-store-closes-after-113-years-business

Yep, according to HRT's facebook page, 12,567 people rode the Tide on Saturday to see the Grand Illumination Parade, the biggest day since the freebie weeks. HRT is expecting a big crowd on Black Friday as well. FYI, the ferry had 4,859 riders on Saturday. Normal ridership on Saturday is less than 1,000.

Boardwalk Burgers and Fries' location on Monarch Way has a soft opening today, a few hours for lunch and a few hours for supper. Wednesday, it's open full throttle with one of those "free food for a year" gimmicks for the first college students that spend all night in line.

I'm looking forward to this agreement. I'm a TCC student (thank you, GI Bill) and so are my 2 sons. This saves us $150 each month.

I wonder if this affects Telmnstr and his hackerspace.

Looks like Norfolk is trying to turn it into a green space/park. Definitely need more green in downtown.

How about a branch line going down Monticello, turn left at 35th to Hampton Blvd, then straight on to NOB?

Article from a few days ago, about the new Amtrak train station next to Harbor Park: http://hamptonroads.com/2011/10/norfolk-starts-preparations-amtrak-train-service

The Admirals were at Scope tonight. On Friday, there were 4,500 or so seeing the Admirals play, so it will be interesting to see the ridership numbers.