New England Transplant

I have posted a bit on the VB forums, but mostly on the Norfolk forum. I live in Ghent and my family is strongly considering a move to VA Beach. I'm looking for feedback from people who live in VA Beach and who are familiar with the school systems. Any and all thoughts/guidance would be appreciated! We always thought we'd be great in Ghent. We love the area, love that it is a walking community etc., but the sad thing is that the public schools are not the best. Taylor and Ghent Elementary are good through 5th grade, but then the middle schools are not that great, and then things rebound again for high school at Maury. My sense is that motivated, proactive, kids can get a solid - even world class - education in Norfolk, but there are a lot of moving parts and I'm not sure we'd be successful in achieving our goals. VA Beach, particularly in the Cox, First Colonial, and Kellam areas seems like it would be a lot easier for our kids to get a great education. So, we are considering moving to those districts. Any thoughts, advice, suggestions? What do you guys think of those areas and what do you know about the schools? Thanks!

I don't think they can be up front about it b/c of all the politics and issues surrounding that area. There is a lot of low income housing there that they are likely not going to be able to replace. The same issues arose w/Broad Creek. They took out a ton of low-income housing and didn't replace it. They moved some of the residents and provided some other housing, but nowhere near enough for everyone. I think you see the same delicate balance being played out there. My guess is that they can't be forthright about a master plan for that area because it would be too difficult to overcome at the current time.

Guys, come on, do you really think this is going to stay a parking lot? They've done a nice job redeveloping downtown and I think there is a lot more evidence to suggest that they'll get this right, then there is to suggest they'll put another Broad Creek there. Broad Creek is out in the middle of the city. They clearly know that this property is very valuable and they have to maximize it to generate revenue for the city. I see this as a temporary solution as they hash out a more long-term plan.

saw a special on norfolk light rail on channel 48, nnn. it was really cool. one of the nuggets that i walked away with, and did not previously know, was that apparently light rail brings in a significant amount of private investment - a 3:1 ratio. So, if it ends up costing 200 million to pull this thing off, then companies will invest 600 million in the area. that is, it isn't just a means of transportation, but is actually an economic engine. that, to me, is almost as important as the pragmatics of transportation. has anyone else heard this 3:1 figure? does it seem accurate?

I think these guys are pretty savvy and doing some things for "show" and some things to really help. I do not believe that they are going to blow this. They clearly recognize the importance of this area and are very invested in making the most return on their investment. The only reason they'd put a park n ride in there would be to temporarily utilize the land while a larger project took shape. There are definitely things to complain about w/regards to city council, but really, look at the overall progress that has made in less than 8 years. It has been very impressive and all indicators are that this is a positive trend that will continue. Ray Gindroz and others integrally involved with urban planning and new urbanism are not going to sit by the sidelines and let a few people blow what they've all been working towards. That, at least, is my opinion.

rest well Tel

yup.

Was walking down there the other day and I talked to some of the guys doing dirt work. They said that it is very temporarily (1 year) going to be used as a parking lot and then the Harbor's Edge 2nd building is going to be built on it.

I was walking down there yesterday and a couple of surveyors were out. They said that a park was going to be put in across from Harbor's Edge and that "buildings" were going to be where they teared down the old warehouses. I double checked that it isn't going to be a parking lot and the guy affirmed buildings. Anyone heard any else on this?

Went to B and N last night. Man, I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to have a major bookstore in Norfolk. My quality of life just jumped about 18 points. It is funny how a number of positive things can happen in an area and then one thing just kind of tips it over and synthesizes all of the goodness. That is what getting a B and N has done for me. I talked with a worker about the difference b/n a college B and N and a regular B and N. She indicated that essentially they are the same, except that some topic areas are trimmed a bit to make room for textbooks and school paraphanalia. The TCC component is really pretty small, so, essentially, this B and N is on par with any other B and N. The 2nd floor will open on 8/26. I look very forward to spending some good time there, particularly when LRT is up and I can jump on and cruise on down. Norfolk is really stepping it up. I'm very happy here.

They are already laying the rails, I think, on the renovated Brableton Bridge. If you drive by and look towards Peta you can see the rails being installed on the concrete.

Does anyone know when the new Barnes and Noble is supposed to open?????

Certainly this place isn't the right place for everyone. However, with regards to overall quality of life, affordability, amentities, and opportunities, it is consistently in the top 20 of over 480 metropolitan areas. The Norfolk-Newport News-Virginia Beach area is really solid. I recommend you look at city rankings (cities to cities, Forbes etc.). You might be surprised by how outside, objectve, number crunchers look at our region. It is pretty darn positive.

BTW, when is the new Barnes and Noble supposed to open in the mall?

Stopped by Bang and Olufsen yesterday. Met with two of the owners (one who happens to be a fellow urban planet reader) and one of their colleagues. The store was really sharp. I learned a lot about Bang and Olufsen and their market. The store in Palace Station is a licensed store and the only one between Atlanta and DC. The owners are not solely relying on it for a stream of revenue. They also run a cabinetry/carpentry business where they design high end solutions for homeowners. So, the B & O is more of a side business for them. I'd highly recommend stopping by to check it out. They were extremely personable and helpful -- even offering me a beer! It isn't everyday that you get that kind of service.

I really liked Plaza Azteca. Did they open up in another location nearby?

I went by the mall today. Barnes and Noble looks huge - 2 floors, 27,000 square feet. Does anyone know how big this will be with say comparing it to the one at TC or Lynnhaven?

Just got back from the grand opening reception today. Very sharp. I think this adds a tremendous amount to the waterfront. My one criticism is that they do not plan to have ANY common areas for regular people to gather. I was hoping that they'd have a restaurant, bar, or coffee shop for locals to gather and enjoy the vistas. Unfortunately, at this point, it seems it is pretty much just a meeting place and cruise terminal. One could argue that they don't want to put anything in b/c they don't want to draw business from Granby Street. I think that is a fine argument, but adding additional restaurants usually results in bringing more business in, rather than splitting the traffic. I talked with one of the staff and they said they are going to redo Nauticus so that the building doesn't look "ugly and gray." He also said they are in the planning stages of having a restaurant, possibly a Wolfgang Puck (sp?), on the water between Nauticus and the cruise terminal. This is something, but it won't be completed for another 3 years. Overall, I think it is really impressive, but for 36 million in tax payer dollars I think they should have provided more space for the Norfolk resident to comfortably enjoy the facility.

VDogg and others, have you posted at all on Old Beach Village - the development at the ocean front that is supposed to be influenced by new urbanism?

is that concrete wall the finished product? That doesn't seem to make a lot of sense...

does this mean they are part of the sweet 16?

Urbanlife, why are you so sure that VB town center will outgrow downtown norfolk? I'm not sure I'm following your line of reasoning.

I just got back from Portland, OR. I had the opportunity to take the light rail from the airport to downtown, around town, and then back to the airport. I thought it was great. It was 2.00 to get back and forth to the airport. The city center was free. It was clean, quick, consistent, and timely. I really look forward to Norfolk getting something similar in the near future. I have been looking forward to this trip to Portland for sometime as it is the epitome of smart growth and a common example of new urbanism. I thought it was a neat city, but, perhaps even greater, was the appreciation it gave me for Norfolk. It made me realize that many of us do not fully realize what we have here; Light rail will definitely take this to the next level. In short, I'm happy to be a citizen of Norfolk.

Can someone clarify what is meant by a third anchor? Does that mean a store of substantial size? Are Dillard's and Nordstrom's anchors? If not, then what are the other two anchors?

Great new article on the sense of shortsightedness that you are describing: http://money.cnn.com/2006/07/07/technology...oney_topstories