Ghentite

Paradise Donuts is coming to Granby St. It's a franchise but should provide another option for folks to go for breakfast.

I would agree but because NRHA gave me permission to use these photos and this is what they have as the date, I didn't want to misquote them. http://nrha.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/Historical/G0000sjxf1Fx4fek/I0000nPmktPJgJZc

Granby Street in the 30's. http://norfolklive.blogspot.com/2013/08/throwback-thursday-granby-street-1930s.html There've actually been some folks recently pushing to bring back the arch lighting to Granby St, since the lights strung back and forth during the Meet, Greet and Imagine event last year was such a success.

Thanks.

It's pretty insane how much the landscape of downtown area has changed. Here's a photo of the original Granby St. http://norfolklive.blogspot.com/2013/08/throwback-thursday-original-granby.html

Just published a blog on the Towne Bank coming to Colley. While I wish it were going to be something else like a small farmer's market or something, I think the design fits in well with the neighborhood. http://norfolklive.blogspot.com/2013/08/towne-bank-to-replace-old-bp-station-on.html#!/2013/08/towne-bank-to-replace-old-bp-station-on.html

Not sure if anyone has noticed but Monticello Arcade is making a bit of a comeback. The new french restaurant is sure to draw some attention as well. http://norfolklive.blogspot.com/2013/07/monticello-arcade-sees-influx-of.html

Here's more on Alchemy NFK, which is just an awesome concept. Apparently, three other vacancies in the area have already been leased/purchased. That's in addition to multiple plans underway with the for public art in this area. So things should really start to come together over the next year. http://norfolklive.blogspot.com/#!/2013/07/local-business-profile-alchemy-nfk.html

http://norfolklive.blogspot.com/2013/07/ambitious-development-proposed-for.html

New restaurant on Colley: http://norfolklive.blogspot.com/2013/07/pita-pit-opening-on-colley-ave.html

City botched this one up. http://norfolklive.blogspot.com/2013/07/debated-bus-transfer-station-begins.html

Station is actually looking decent with a modern touch to it. http://norfolklive.blogspot.com/2013/06/norfolk-amtrak-station-photo-update.html#!/2013/06/norfolk-amtrak-station-photo-update.html

Gadams is at it again http://norfolklive.blogspot.com/2013/06/additional-apartments-downtown-by-gadams.html

Looks like their going to vote to approve it tomorrow. If approved, that's 450 apartment units he'll be singlehandedly bringing downtown. That should liven things up a bit. http://norfolklive.blogspot.com/2013/06/james-madison-hotel-to-transform-into.html

Keep an eye on something that may happen with the James Madison Hotel off Granby (rhymes with Muddy Madams).

http://norfolklive.blogspot.com/2013/05/local-business-profile-chartreuse-bistro.html

You should check out Alchemy NFK. They're renting out one of the buildings down there and are about to fix it up. Basically, their turning the place into a center for artists, photographers and musicians to sublet and turn into their own individual studios at a much more affordable cost. https://www.facebook.com/#!/AlchemyNFK?fref=ts

Too early to tell but most of the land is already developed. Most likely, the old, empty storefronts down there will start to be filled (as seen during better block). Before this vote, landlords of those buildings were restricted from allowing most small business owners from renting those spaces because of the zoning restraints. Now they're allowed to accept most of those business proposals and rent their spaces out to them. For example, if 2 years ago someone came to the Texaco building owner (one of the iconic buildings of that area) and proposed a brewery for that building, they wouldn't be allowed by the city under the former zoning, so the owner would have to reject them. Now they can say yes and it's completely legal.

Recap of last night: http://norfolklive.blogspot.com/2013/05/wins-all-around-for-norfolk-last-night.html

Food Trucks have just been approved by Council in Downtown Norfolk. Score!

The Arts District has officially been established via the ordinance change tonight. This changes outdated regs and zoning in the area. This will make it much more business friendly. This ordinance is what has been holding that area back for some many years. Huge win for development in that area.

Big night for city council regarding the vibrancy of downtown: Food Trucks and the establishment of the Arts District (both huge wins for downtown) http://norfolklive.blogspot.com/2013/05/arts-district-to-be-established-tonight.html

Yep. Tonight's the big night for food trucks and the proposal by the city planning commission will most likely pass. Gotta give it up to the planning commission, the city manager's team, and re:Vision Norfolk as they would NOT lay down on this. http://norfolklive.blogspot.com/2013/05/food-truck-decision-tonight.html

That's the plan. And it makes sense. If you bring in more traffic than you're expecting, you can always expand it later.

Small photo update on the rail station. http://norfolklive.blogspot.com/2013/05/norfolk-amtrak-station-photo-update-5213.html