[Waterside District]

Waterside is a major arterial from Hampton Blvd (EVMS and NGH) to 264 to VB -- in both directions. Brambleton, with its numerous intersections, isn't a suitable alternative. St. Paul's backs up with 464 southbound on ramp traffic.

Necking down Waterside, in a hope to solve some un-defined problem at the Market, is like shooting your foot off to fix a blister.

If that won't work, then maybe close it down for a little while on sundays? They can easly make that space into an open market like they do for special events. A flea market/farmers market would work great.

[Waterside District]

I think what Waterside needs is a concept/identity that it can stick with. I feel that right now (err, 4 years ago the last time I went in there), it's hosting whatever it can get (clubs/bars, a couple of restaurants, a couple of shops, and a food court). I think Waterside could become a major activity center again if it BECOMES something. It could become a place for tourist-catering mega food/bar chains like Hard Rock, Planet Hollywood, ESPN Zone, Fox Sports Grill, etc. Think Baltimore Power Plant. Of course the place would have to see a major overhaul before it could attract such tenants. Or we could tear the walls off the thing, get some fresh air in there (literally and figuratively) and make it into something like Pike Place Market in Seattle. It could become THE destination in the region to get fresh produce, seafood, flowers, baked goods, and Norfolk t-shirts (do people buy Norfolk t-shirts?).

Part of the problem is urban design. Waterside has HUGE advantages with Town Point Park and the marina being right there, but it's annoying for people elsewhere in downtown to cross Waterside Drive. The Waterside Drive area just is not an inviting or intimate urban environment. The building setbacks, driveways, etc. make it a strange place to walk around. I'd love to see Bank of America let go of its drive-thru (how many downtown banks need drive-thrus??) and something be developed between BOA and Waterside Drive that leads pedestrians toward and then across the Drive. It wouldn't have to be huge, just something there so you don't feel you're leaving downtown to get to the waterfront.

I completely agree with you. I had the Baltimore Harborfront in mind when I was thinking of this. I think it is a fabulous location for a town center/mixed use development if they would utilize the the space across the street. And, maybe it does need to be privately owned if the city continues to mismanage. I'm not sure when the downward spiral began (just moved here from NoVA), but the property has fabulous potential with shops. And whats with all of those little eateries?? Do they really get the foot traffic they need during lunch hour? I don't know because they are out of the way from my office. I think Norfolk needs to take sometime visiting riverwalks at other cities and take some notes on the ingredients of success. . .or maybe they already have.

Oh and while I know the little park nearby is used for special events. . .it is not a very welcoming place at any other time. What is up with that?