[City View Phase 3 (Under Construction)]

I spoke with the developer this week and they are currently trying to get good sitework pricing in. He said that everyone was so busy around here, he's having a horrible time getting numbers in. The site package should be awarded in the next couple weeks and then they'll be bidding out the building trades. So look for the groundbreaking for Phase I to begin in the next month or so.

[Fort Norfolk Plaza Progress]

Has anyone heard whether or not a developer has been chosen for this project yet? I had in my notes that Dr. Newby was supposed to select one around the end of March.

[Norfolk Development 2]

Did you find any large scale projects that he has done or has planned anywhere?

Big George ran Powell Masonry for many years and still dabbles when he's not rejuvenating himself at a spa down in Florida. His son is doing the Powell Development side and I don't imagine that they're doing anything really big at this point. Give him some time.

[Projects and Construction Corrections/information]

Architect: unknown

NSU RISE Technology Park...

Architect is Livas Group.

[Virginia Beach Stores, Retail, and Restaurants]

In related news, according to this article (link), the Farm Fresh at Haygood will be 58,000 sqft. Does anyone know if that's the size of both the Roses and Super Fresh sites combined?

I was actually over there today and Acadia has posted a large sign with the new rendering of the redeveloped shopping center with the Farm Fresh. It looks like it will take up both spaces and that they are going to be doing some very-much-needed (if you ask me) facade work, but I haven't gotten confirmation on that yet.

[Va. Beach Town Center project 2]

I finally got hold of the fellow who is in charge of Block 7 who confirmed that the Ped Bridge is between Dick's and Block 7 and that there are no plans to his knowledge to construct one going over to Pembroke Mall.

The Ped Bridge being discussed from Trashmore to TC seems to be daunting. It would make sense for it to go to City View, but all the way to TC? I don't know if that would honestly be utilized. People are lazy... look at the drive thru lines at fast food restaurants that snake around the parking lot, rather than park and go inside.

Does the City still own the piece of land that the old Days Inn used to sit on (across from the Crown Plaza, and between the old Knights Inn that's now the Days Inn and the Extended Stay)? Has anyone heard any kind of development uses for that piece? I still can't believe that it's sitting there empty!

[Virginia Beach Stores, Retail, and Restaurants]

Heard tonight there are rumors of closing Regal theater at Pembroke to make way for the Target store. That may further explain block 9 of the TC schematic which depicts cinemas above retail.

I don't think this is accurate, as I just came across an application for a conditional use permit to use the theatre space on Sundays between 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. for worship services before the movie theatre opens for the day. The City wouldn't consider an application (which looked like they were looking at approving it) if the theatres were closing anytime soon. I could easily be wrong, though!

[Virginia Beach Development]

I've been trying to get a timeline for Block 7, but my contact over at TC that I've been dealing with isn't handling that one block of the project. The chap that he's referred me to hasn't quite been as cooperative with returning calls. But, like I said, my contact stated that the Pedestrian Bridge IS included in the plans for Block 7. I'll certainly come back to report once I talk to the right person.

Question for you guys... does anyone know with any degree of certainty if the architect who designed Granby Towers is also doing the Cornerstone Development project (where the Wedgewood Trailer Park was off of 264)? I thought that I saw their name somewhere in the mix, but also with a local (VA) architect, maybe to be the architect of record to get it through all the permitting.

Also, does anyone know what the heck is being built at the intersection of Princess Anne Rd & Salem Rd? They've started utility work and grading for SOMEthing out there, but I haven't seen anything on it.

[Va. Beach Town Center project 2]

From what I understand, the cinemas that will be going into TC is going to be a Sundance Cinema from the Sundance Group and is being designed by HBA.

[Virginia Beach Development]

I think at some point Pembroke Mall will have a parking garage in the back for the new Target. They had discussed doing this some time ago. As for the rest of Pembroke well, I am just not sure. The problem I see is that while a lot of good things are going on the layout is mostly still suburban. In addition, we have gargantuan boulevards that cut through the immediate area (Indy and VB Blvd). Unless some serious consideration were to come about to build ped bridges across in several directions it still leaves the areas somewhat disconnected. Having said that I really do hope to see more grids come to fruition as well. We have talked about this before but I could easily see the Kmart torn down and more towers being built there or at least something more urban. I could also see the B&N property, Planet Music and adjoing parcels going way of the wrecking ball at some point. All of this will take some time but I could see it happening. As for VB overtaking Norfolk. I cannot imagine that happening but I can see a very dense urban area that competes well with Norfolk.

Hi guys! I've been lurking a bit over the last few weeks, and it's nice to see some intelligent conversation regarding the local development scene! My source at Town Center stated a couple weeks ago that the pedestrian bridge connecting TC to the Pembroke Mall site was going to be part of the Block 7 development to go up next. He also stated that they've been trying to work out a deal incorporating the old Hannaford's site and the HQ site into being a part of TC, but that is still very up in the air. (The City Walk folks, the last time I spoke with them a couple months ago stated that they still weren't sure where they were going with it.) When I inquired about the B&N/Planet Music site, he stated that they would very much like to see this become a part of TC, but that would be at least 8-10 years down the road, if then.