NORFOLK
About 64 percent of Hampton Roads residents made a trip downtown last year for a non-work purpose, according to the Downtown Norfolk Council's 6th annual Progress Report.
While down slightly from 66 percent the previous year, downtown continues to be prosperous for the city, said Cathy Coleman, DNC president. About 56 percent visited downtown in 2005 and 61 percent in 2004.
Coleman said the trend "has a lot to do with a maturation of downtown."
"After a growth spurt, the challenge is that you can't continue the trend forever," she said. "As more things come on line, we'll see the numbers jump again."
Downtown retail sales have continued to grow steadily over the past four years to $344.1 million last year. Last year's total reflects the largest year-to-year jump - $35.4 million.
Property valuations also have risen consistently to $756 million in 2007, up from $626 million in 2004.
But food, beverage and admissions taxes fell from $10.1 million in 2006 to $9.8 million in 2007, which matches 2004's performance.
Coleman said she thought the latest numbers would be worse considering the increasing competition from Town Center in Virginia Beach and new shopping and entertainment venues on the Peninsula.
"We're holding our own," she said. "To me that says that the product we have is unique; the shops and restaurants we have, coupled with the entertainment options, can't be found anywhere else."
The DNC annual survey of downtown workers and visitors helps the group, whose goal is to promote downtown, better target its marketing programs.
Residents from Williamsburg to Virginia Beach said they visit downtown nearly three times more frequently than they did about 10 years ago, before MacArthur Center was built. Non-work trips to downtown in 2007 averaged 24.4, compared with nine in 1999.
The survey showed that the most visited spot downtown was MacArthur Center, followed by the Granby District, cultural and arts events and Waterside and Town Point Park.
Downtown's appeal is strongest among 25- to 34-year-olds as well as residents with household incomes greater than $80,000.
The downtown work force numbers 30,000 people. The average annual expenditure by a downtown worker last year was $2,839.
Downtown residents number 3,800. There are 2,654 housing units with another 800 under construction or proposed.
Debbie Messina, (757) 446-2588, debbie.messina@pilotonline.com
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Downtown Norfolk
I remarked to some family members that Downtown Norfolk is starting to look like Downtown Disney, in a way. But that also makes me understand why other parts of Norfolk are still struggling and appear under-developed. Interpret that as you will...
What a joke!
The population of hampton roads is mainly made up of fish, since hampton roads is in the middle of the water.
Now, if they are talking about tidewater, I think someone is playing with numbers. Let's look. According to the developer and taxpayer financed HRP, the population of (I'll play) hampton roads is nearing 1.6 million people. Population of norfolk is 243,000, so subtract that from the total, means that 64% of estimated 1.3 million people, or 868,000 people, just from hampton roads, not total visitors, and did not live in norfolk drove there to visit?
Come on! I think someone has been spending too much time a the wine a beer tasting parties!
Excuse me?
Murders and robberies in Norfolk? Ummm that depends on where you live in Norfolk I guess. Geee. Thank God that never happens everywhere else in Hampton Roads (sarcasm). I think downtown's continued growth is inevitable and people are finally refuting antiquated myths about an urban setting...well...some of us.
Yet another article Va pilot writes as a brochure for Norfolk
Not news, advertisement
To visit or (where) not to visit, that is the question.
Let's please read this article with our eyes wide open... Downtown Norfolk has made progress but still has quite a ways to go. In my opinion, DN has done a few things right and also missed the mark on several items. From a marketing/public relations angel, DN has been promoted as nothing more than a "neighborhood" versus a "community". Hence the problems with residents and noise from community events. Cities are not exclusive neighborhoods but very much inclusive organisms. It is not wise to promote a downtown like its a subdivision in Suffolk or Chesapeake. Cities must offer a range of activities for not only its residents but for the region at large; cultural, educational, artist etc. Take a look at similarly populated cities and you'll find that DN is really not a big deal... Raleigh, Reston, Richmond. In a Forbes article profiling the Top 40 Cities for Young Professionals Norfolk suprisingly made it. They were 34 on the list just behind Miami and Las Vegas. Something is off if Norfolk is remotely close to either of those cities becasue there is no comparison. Not in industry, employment, tourism, education or infrastructure. Congrats on the baby steps but if DN is to reach the
Who are you kidding? I
Who are you kidding? I avoid Norfolk like the plague...haven't been there in years except to drive through it and Fast!
Way too many murders, robberies, and assaults for my blood...
I will stay where I feel safer thank you very much...
10 Million strong and growing
Downtown Norfolk has roughly 10 million visitors a year. Go figure! ( Visitors, Workers, Students, Shoppers,etc.)There's something to do for everyone. Come on down and enjoy yourself. You won't find anything quite like it throughout the Tidewater area.