Ghentite

Here are some progress shots of the new bank going up on Colley. Nothing really special, especially when you start to think about all of the other things they could have done with this property. http://norfolkliveblog.com/?p=1359

Just got out of the meeting to discuss the Granby Lighting plan. Timeline is to get arched lighting up Granby by xmas for phase one, then a cross over to the Arts District to Va Beach Blvd for phase 2 to come later on. Complete focus is on phase one for now aka what the Public Arts funds allow for.

Some of the schematic plans for Waterside Live have been released: http://norfolkliveblog.com/?p=1180

Here's some more on this: http://norfolkliveblog.com/?p=1103. Sounds like this project will take a while to get going with all of the entities involved.

Agree to disagree. I just can't be convinced that a Dollar Tree in that exact location would be would be beneficial in any way. And for what it's worth I'm not misjudging the civic league's reaction at all. Civic League's president was one of the key proponent's of lifting the archaic ban on used bookstores last year. This record store appears to the the first business taking advantage of that ban lift. So good for them.

That is pretty cool. Looks like some more restaurants too. I don't think the issue with the DNCL and other Norfolk advocates is upscale vs. lowscale retail. It's more about keeping consistent with the proposed plan for retail downtown (which city officials tend to stray from even though it's THEIR plan). The objective is to create a flow from the mall with its brand-name stores to Granby, which would have a blend of brand-names, indy stores (record store is the perfect example), and small businesses mixed in with restaurants. Dollar Tree might work in that plan, but the proposed location. Put it at one of the other ends of Granby. Nobody wants to leave the mall and see a Dollar Tree. It's not exactly a main attraction that grabs people out of the mall. That's why Norfolk advocates are pushing the city officials to keep trying to recruit something better for that particular location. Just to clear some things up. I think folks have a misperception of the group known as "Norfolk" as in "Norfolk never wants this," or "Norfolk sucks at that." But there are various groups at play and they don't all suck. I'll use a simple example with installing more bike racks downtown. Re:Vision Norfolk - Lobbyists for a more vibrant downtown. Conducted a free study on the effects of bike-friendly environments on small business, which concluded what everyone assumed, that bike-friendly downtowns help small businesses thrive and attract new businesses. Re:Vision recommended more bike lanes downtown and more bike racks. Next step was to get Downtown Norfolk Civic League and Downtown Norfolk Council onboard, since they have more influence. In general, both of these groups typically agree with the recommendations of Re:Vision. Downtown Norfolk Civic League - Made up of residents and property owners downtown. Supports a bike-friendly downtown and endorses Re:Vision's recommendation. Endorsement reflects those who live and own property downtown. Downtown Norfolk Council - Made up of major corporations downtown (Norfolk Southern has a rep on the DNC) and promotes business downtown. Supports a bike-friendly downtown and endorses Re:Vision's recommendation to city planning commission. Heavy hitters who have a budget to actually purchase and install bike racks. City Planning Commission - First level of approval on minor and major development. Looks at architectural features of bike racks, durability, color, etc. Also looks at plan for more bike lanes downtown. Approve racks easily because DNC has the money. Racks start getting installed downtown. Studies plan for more bike lanes and adds or subtracts different routes. Makes recommendation to city council City Management Department - Gate keeper for city council. With the bike racks, they also threw in some city funds to install more bike racks. For the various bike routes, they studied the city planning commission recommendations and made some additional recommendations. Because this was a larger issue, it was sent up to city council to decide City council - Gives final approval on more important/complicated development issues such as installing new bike lanes; usually won't waste time on minor issues such as installing more bike racks. Every development issue is different but this is a snapshot of how it typically works. If there's a proposal for a new business, it typically goes straight to City Planning Commission and it definitely helps if they have the endorsements of Re:Vision, DNCL, and DNC. Sometimes they don't, like the time a strip club was proposed and city planning will use that lack of support to shoot the idea down. Hopefully, that gives a little perspective on some of the inner-workings.

Pretty awesome how that corridor is developing so quickly all of the sudden.

Agreed. I also think it's the location. They're looking to tie MacArthur Mall to Granby St. retail (Urban Outfitters, Brazilian swimwear store) and that's the prime thoroughfare to do so. A Dollar Tree would sort of disrupt that. But as they said in the article, if you bring a Crate and Barrel or Anthropologie there, it gives mall-goers a reason to keep shopping outside the mall and continue on up and down Granby. Folks aren't going to leave the mall for a Dollar Tree.

The more I hear about this and how they're trying to tailor for Norfolk, the more I like it and am glad they didn’t choose the other proposal. People always talk about how much of a shame it was that the city tore down this and that historical landmark. Truth is Waterside in its own right is a unique architectural landmark and was very well known outside of Hampton Roads for a number of years. I'm glad they're keeping it but modifying it. If they did end up razing it, in 50 years everyone would be complaining how Norfolk never should have torn it down and never has any respect for its past. A convention center on that spot would have been a huge waste of real estate and would have killed any shot of revitalizing the waterfront. The high line idea is a great concept and works in NYC because they took a historical transit line and repurposed it. That alone attracts tourists each year. If they did that downtown it would be forced and really just an unused glorified walkway. So looking back, while I used to be a huge fan of other proposal, my attitude after hearing about the new ideas for Waterside and after visiting the NYC high line has completely changed. I think the current plan will work pretty well.

There will be a pop up shop at Palace Shops in Ghent through the month of May for indipendent small retailers. Get used to seeing these all over Norfolk in the future as the city is putting together a program that will help fill empty storefronts with these. It's a great idea. http://norfolkliveblog.com/?p=955

It would have been bad business for the city to kick the current tenants out. From the folks I've spoken with the deal with them is to let them ride out their current leases. I'd imagine at that point, they'll jack up the rent to where they'd have to leave and only a Cordish-associated (higher-end) business would be able to come in and afford.

Department of Development officially released the renderings today...http://norfolkliveblog.com/?p=898

Yeah I tried finding out more but all I heard was that they're not doing anything to the spot renovation-wise and it'll be the same theme of food…burgers, sandwiches, etc. The folks I spoke to don't believe it has a very good chance of surviving.

Lots of things happening downtown as far as the food business is concerned. Lots of unique restaurants are on their way...http://norfolklive.blogspot.com/2013/12/several-new-restaurants-open-in.html

Agreed! They're made right in front of you and aren't overpriced either. I had peanut butter glazed with oreo chunks....mmm.

There is movement on this project. Phase 1 Design plans have been released. http://norfolklive.blogspot.com/2013/10/phase-1-scope-renovations-to-design.html

Had a chat with Kevin Murphy, the Downtown Norfolk Civic League President to discuss his view on Waterside and ask a few questions that I know have been discussed on here. http://norfolklive.blogspot.com/2013/10/10-burning-questions-on-waterside-live.html

Fresh Market has signed on to be the anchor of the new mixed use project at the old Ghent Station. http://norfolklive.blogspot.com/2013/09/its-official-fresh-market-coming-to.html

PLOT is moving to the old Zedd's lot.

Here's more on the new Butcher shop coming to Ghent: http://norfolklive.blogspot.com/2013/09/local-business-profile-pendulum-fine.html

Waterside was just approved by City Council. Per the deal, construction would begin in 6 months. http://norfolklive.blogspot.com/2013/08/city-council-finally-approves-waterside.html

Here are some progress shots of the rail station. I was able to get closer this time. http://norfolklive.blogspot.com/2013/08/norfolk-amtrak-station-photo-update.html

I touched on it last week, but apparently the city is looking at lighting consultants to come in and do something with Granby. Nobody has a timeframe yet, but I'd be really cool if they brought back arch lighting the way that Short North in Columbus did. http://norfolklive.blogspot.com/2013/08/throwback-thursday-bring-back-arch.html

Lots of movement in the Arts District from building purchases to zonig changes to public art. Wish we could fast forward a year to see this. http://norfolklive.blogspot.com/#!/2013/08/making-things-happen-in-arts-district.html

I hear ya. From what I've heard they really have been negotiating for the full year. There's been a lot more red tape than expected and dealings with lawyers. But this is supposedly the real thing. We'll see...