likeminded

Why do you consider the Power Plant to be a failure?

Waterside will be open and mostly full well before a year from now (in fact, in less than a month). And the Icon Apts open later this fall, so I think saying they should wait a year is a bit too much. I work at ADP, and the restaurants and such in the area surrounding us are busy at lunch time. And they are still hiring hundreds more people! So I think the time is indeed, now.

I'm pretty sure JCS had originally wanted to return, but I think the announcement of Striper's indicates that they have moved in a different direction. I sincerely doubt they'd have both those seafood restaurants in there. I really like the mix of places and options. It seems strange, though, that the Chipotle seems to be being glossed over by Cordish. It's clearly gonna be there, but it almost seems that they are considered not part of the official mix.

Thanks Nate, that's what I was thinking. I was pretty certain there will still be the full-fledged Guy Fieri's Smokehouse, but there will also be a "quick service" or "express" option in the Stall in the Market. I really don't think anything else has changed.

So I was looking back at the floor plans and I kind of wonder about a couple of things. Where is the Star Hill Brewery? Why isn't it listed? Also, my guess would be that the Stripers will be in that upper right portion of the building that doesn't have anything showing yet. I know I saw somewhere that they plan for that restaurant to be about 7500 sq. ft or so. I wonder if Harbor Club is going take up the entire 2nd floor or will there be other stuff up there....

I just wish they had added the capability for it to change colors, rather than just being red. It could go different colors for different times of year/holidays, etc. That would've been cool. Oh, well. Still impressive.

That is very disheartening to hear. I think that Uptown Alley would be an awesome addition. I hope they still find a way to make it happen eventually. "Entertainment options" leaves me dubious about what could possibly happen. I agree with baobabs. CFA is the best. Brennen, I'm not sure what your experience has been, but I find their drive-thru model works quite well. I think it's especially neat to have that personal touch when they have people outside taking orders...

As do I. I love the brick and woodwork. I think it's going to end up looking really nice, and perhaps classier than the original "Waterside Live" renderings. I'm also happy to see another seafood option coming. Hopefully they will have some more "traditional" fare. (From their Maneto menu - http://www.stripersbarandgrille.com/menu - I think they will.) I'm sure Rappahannock is good, but I'm not a fan of oysters or the whole "raw" thing.

Some more pics. Personally, I think it's shaping up to look great! And I can't believe how fast it's coming along...

There is definitely construction going on at the front of Pembroke Mall now. It certainly does appear that the Coastal Edge has relocated and is expanding to add a new store front. I guess this means Home Good is not coming to Pembroke at all. In other news, there is still absolutely no indication that any work has begun on the Uptown Alley. I really wish that project would come to fruition. Furthermore, the area right next to the Chartway FCU at the intersection of VB Blvd and Kellam, where site work had begun for what was supposed to be a new CFA to replace the nearby double drive thru, appears to have come to a stop. The zoning signs have been removed and nothing is happening at all.

Here are those pics I've been promising:

Well, aren't you the optimist? I don't know if we will or won't. But I'd certainly say it's within the realm of possibility. That being said, the arena would be a nice amenity; however, it's a shame the citizens voted against moving forward with light rail. That would have been a key factor in other aspects of upping the ante in the area.

Everything I keep coming across says late April, though at this stage May does seem more realistic...

I have the very unique privilege of working in a building right across from the Waterside District, and I've been watching eagerly as the project has moved along over the last few months. In fact, from my office window, I am able to watch the progress day by day. Last evening, enjoying some of the warm weather and sunshine, I went for a stroll after work to get some up close detail. I took some photos which I will attempt to post here soon. I do have a couple of observations: 1) I simply cannot see how they're going to be finished/ready to open by April. Looks like there's still way too much to do, especially if you look at the building from the side facing the water. I suppose they may surprise me, but it just looks like it's going to be a challenge, especially when you consider that they still have to get all the staff trained before they can open. 2) From looking at the footprint where the annex used to be, I really don't think a tower there would necessarily block view from the Hilton. In fact, it appears that it would be directly across from the parking garage and not really block much of anything, especially if it had a slim footprint. I don't know if this would be the best use for the site, but I think it would at least be doable without too much disruption to others. 3) The mix of establishments looks pretty good to me. Look forward to trying the BBQ place. Not personally a big beer drinker, but hopefully some good spots to grab a bite and just hang a bit. I hope the Marketplace brings in a great selection of options.

I don't know whatever happened to the new CFA that was supposed to be built next to the Chartway FCU branch on VB Blvd. Some site prep work was done and now nothing...though I went thru the double-drive through location not too long ago and they confirmed that it was supposed to be built there and they would be relocating. In other news, I drove by Pembroke this morning and noticed a crane and some other heavy equipment on the side by Kohl's where the Uptown Alley has been being promised for months now. I wonder if site work is finally beginning?

Not familiar with the term "value engineered." What does that mean?

Where'd everyone go?

I disagree. I think it looks pretty tasty and, while there are a lot of options, if they can pull them off well, then so be it. They seem to be very popular in Connecticut, so I shall be looking forward to at least giving them a try. I would say; however, that it would surprise me if it was considered the "most requested place in our area" as it would seem not many outside of Connecticut have heard of them before. I think it would be great if a Portillo's (www.portillos.com) came to the area! I believe they are entering a phase of aggressive expansion....

I've tried searching every way I can think of and I simply cannot find it. I guess perhaps I don't know how to use the search system properly.

Brennen, out of curiosity, how do you find those records?

There is work going on (site clearing) near the Chartway FCU (by the former pawn shop and for site of a former restaurant) on Virginia Beach Blvd. (in the Town Center area.) Does anyone know whats going on there? Or can anyone with better research skills than I have find out?

I've never been to a Wegmans, but I hear they are very nice and quite popular. It would be neat to have new options in the area. I wonder, though, about a site in the Town Center area as The Fresh Market seems like it will be filling the niche for a more upscale grocer... Has anyone heard any updates on Uptown Alley? They still have Virginia Beach listed as a location opening in 2016 on their website, but nothing seems to be happening...

Nah, Red Robin's okay. Best thing about them is their bottomless steak fries (oh, and the strawberry lemonade.) But I think Fudd's burgers are better.

I disagree with the last part of your statement. If construction starts in the near future (even within a month or two) I think it's entirely possible that they could be open by fall. A build-out like that won't take more than a year, if they really go at it.

I find it really odd that, despite construction being well under way and what I think I'd seen somewhere as an opening date of April this year, The Fresh Market has yet to list a store in Va Beach under either the "Coming Soon" or "Announced Leases" section on their website. Uptown Alley, on the other hand, does list Virginia Beach as a having a location opening in 2016, although I have yet to see any construction begin.