NORFOLK
The waterfront was crowned the main attraction at Friday's much anticipated re opening of Town Point Park with the city's 33rd Harborfest celebration.
As part of the downtown park's $11.5 million face-lift, the grounds were terraced and the stage relocated so the view of the Elizabeth River became the focal point.
And people noticed.
"It's so much more open and spacious, you can really see the water," 24-year-old Kaitlin Parker said. "I've pretty much spent my life at this park one way or another and it's just beautiful now. It all seems to flow together."
Harborfest die-hards gave the new look props.
"I really like how they've done it - it's more geared toward the water," said Chris Curry of Elizabeth City, N.C., who has been to every Harborfest since 1985 except two. And he has the T-shirt collection to prove it.
Curry said he likes the wide brick-lined paths.
"It's a lot more convenient for people to get around the park," he said. "I think that will help with crowds."
With clear skies, tall ships, pirates, fireworks, food, music, dance and other entertainment, Festevents and city officials were expecting large crowds for the three-day festival. Turnout for Friday's opening ceremonies and traditional Parade of Sail did not disappoint.
"It looks totally different," Cynthia Burrell of Portsmouth said.
Her friend Barbara Woods declared the park beautiful.
"Everything looks so nice and new."
While many said they were impressed, not everyone agreed.
A sweaty jogger stopped Mayor Paul Fraim after the morning ribbon cutting and complained that the park has no drinking fountains. The old park had two.
Fraim said the city may reconsider and add them back.
Chesapeake's Rodney Houston said that although he was enjoying his afternoon in the park, "I don't see much difference."
"It's a waste of taxpayer dollars," he said. "We are in a recession now so we've got to think about how we spend our money."
Fraim said the park was showing its age and needed not only cosmetic improvements but also infrastructure upgrades after 26 years of wear and tear. He said the city's goal is to make the entire downtown public waterfront work as one.
The park now flows into the Nauticus and Half Moone Cruise and Celebration center, connected by a mermaid fountain and JumboTron giant screen TV. At the east end, an interactive fountain and permanent outdoor cafe transition the park into Waterside.
The next challenge, Fraim said, is overhauling Waterside, something visitors noticed Friday.
"I really hope Waterside is revamped," Mary Thurman of Chesapeake said. "It used to be elegant with nice shops."
Shep Miller, Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority chairman, agreed. NRHA is a partner in the ownership of Waterside.
"Waterside really needs to mesh, especially now because there's a whole different feel in the park now - it's got a lot of style to it." While a plan for Waterside's future is being considered, several first-floor interior walls have been removed to give the marketplace a more open feel and offer better water views.
"Waterside lost the energy it had when it opened," Miller said. "Now all this is one big space and it needs to work together."
Debbie Messina, (757) 446-2588, debbie.messina@pilotonline.com
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The best part is:
That while we the Employees and the citizens of Norfolk had to bite the bullet for this renovation, one of our councilmen (Wynn) made a pretty piece of change on this multi million dollar project. At least one city employee made some money from this questionable investment.
REALITY CHECK
If you're excited about a park, you really should get out more. If you're excited about $11.5 million being spent on a park in Norfolk, Virginia, you need a financial advisor. If you think Bar Norfolk and Have A Nice Day Cafe are the kinds of places you should build an $11.5 million anything next to, you need psychiatric intervention. At least if you go to one of those places, you'll fulfill the need to get out more.
This Norfolk Taxpayer
This Norfolk taxpayer thinks that the $11mm renovation of Town Point Park was money very well spent. The park itself is beautiful, the layout is functional and the enhanced focus on our historic waterfront makes me extremely proud to be a citizen of this city and our entire southeastern Virginia region.
For those of you (even non-Norfolk citizens) who are upset with the expenditure of public funds, good for you! Our elected officials need constant reminding of the fact that the funds they spend belong to the taxpayers, and not to the government.
But I also hope that each of you civic-minded folks will exert not less than ONE MILLION TIMES n equivalent effort directed toward our Congress and the Obama admininstration. Because that's the proportional amount of federal debt ($11 trillion) that they've managed to run up on us.
And we don't even get a beautiful new park out of it. Just some phantom "stimulus".
Happy 4th of July, everyone! Be safe and enjoy the fireworks tonight.
get your facts straight
actually the 11 trillion dollar deficit was handed to the Obamas from George W. Bush, and it was actually $11.5 trillion...please get your facts straight!
I hope everyone enjoyed my
I hope everyone enjoyed my payraise again. I'm sure fraim never mentioned that it was built on the backs of the city employees again, the same as it was for Harbor Park, Nauticus and the mall. I have been with the city for over 20yrs and I am behind at least 4-5 steps of our goofy pay system due to having our increments frozen for projects such as these. And this year is no exception, as was found out recently by
the city 'donating' 1.7million to an arts building when city employees were going to have a pay reduction due to a budget deficit. Always money for what they want but not what is needed. TIME FOR CHANGE is right.
You're paid enough.
You're paid enough. If the city was truly underpaying you, you'd have quit by now and found another higher paying job. Instead, you've worked for the city for 20 years. The city government should pay as little as possible for qualified people. It's a job, not a charity.
Simple things..
like water fountains make a difference. Maybe public bathrooms so you don't have to walk into Waterside which is a hike in 90+ weather. Add a little area with shade (blocking from weather) with soda/water/snack machines (oh wait, then I guess I don't have to buy a $4 burger!). Little things make a difference. And yes, Fraim - your thanks are appreciated. Where is our thanks for paying for it? Sadly, I am one Norfolk resident who is looking for a way out of here. 11 million on a park, but one tunnel shuts down our city and I spend 6 hours in a vehicle this week just tryin' to earn a buck. Movin' on up to the other side as soon as our place sells!! And I have spent my entire life in Norfolk, but I am hangin' my hat.
Mind your own business
Chesapeake resident Rodney Houston stated - "It's a waste of taxpayer dollars," he said. "We are in a recession now so we've got to think about how we spend our money."
"Our money," - Mr. Houston, not one dime of your taxpaying money was used to upgrade the park. Mind your own business. We do invite you to continue coming to our city and spending your money on our events so that our taxes stay low.
I think the renovation was needed and support my city's effort, however the new money generated from the park should go back into the neighborhoods now. Downtown has seen more than enough growth and improvements. Let's invest the money in fixing East Ocean View and Wards Corner. $11 million dollars would fix a lot of the problems in those two areas.
Money well-spent
I really don't understand the negativity. If one watched any of the other Pilot videos and/or read articles (dating all the way back to October '08), one would know (and therefore not be ignorant of the fact) that much of the money was not spent on park "pretty-ness," but rather infrastructure, including better access to water and electricity, and also drainage, as the park was essentially sliding into the Elizabeth River before this renovation. Further, the park is so much more organized now and I do believe tree grow (meaning they will get big again). The focus now is the harbor, which is perfect! Further, the new fountains and lighting in the park are beautiful. I really like how the land is terraced and slopes down toward the main stage area. Also, Friday night was the first event in the new park; sound kinks will be an issue and will likely be worked out by Saturday evening's festivities. The sound was actually perfect for "Right On" at the main stage last night, but a bit off for "Collective Soul." Lastly, the money is not wasted, as the city brings in well over $11 million from out of towners for FestEvents festivities. ENJOY Summer, people! Geez.
revamping waterside
i hope waterside does go back to what it used to be when i grew up in the 80's. i dont go there anymore becuase places like bar norfolk and have a nice day are nothing but a hangout for immature navy recruits and underage girls to get in trouble. i miss shops like the chocolate factory, the christmas store with the train running around, the kite store, the stuffed animal store, the hat store, and most of all phillips. as long as they dont touch the outside i am game for a renovation.
new park is not for residents
I remember thinking when the park was first built how nice it would be when the trees matured and there was shade, and when they finally did - the city cuts them down and starts over. And let's say I want to ride my bike downtown, maybe to Harbor Park, I still have to ride on not so bike or pedestrian friendly Waterside Drive. In fact when I really look at TPP I see something built for tourists and cruise ship visitors not something that will be added value for residents.
Park
It was great to hear Fraim thank everybody from the city down to the contractors involved in the recreation of Town Point Park, However he did not thank the taxpayers who are footing the bill for this and all of the other fluff items he and his cronies want!
TOWN POINT PARK REBIRTH
Town Point Park looks great! New landscaping, a fresh layout, art depictions, a brand new stage and acoustics, water fountains, kids area, more green space, tables and canopies, an enlarged waterfront area and views, food vendors on site 7 days a week, a mermaid fountain, air conditioned housing for performers and staff all lead to one thing.... a good time! I like how they meshed the park into the Half Moon Cruise terminal, in essence blending the two together. Also, the live feed and camera views on the jumbotron screen on Nauticus looks nice as well. You can see what the city is doing in the long run. Waterside is next, and once revamped it will really compliment Town Point Park.
Not impressed
I was there this afternoon for The Famous Unknowns and later Collective Soul. I'm not at all impressed with the changes. Not as many trees means less shade. So-called 'improvements' for staging didn't help audio quality at all. Norfolk got taken for $11 million IMO.