The Virginian-Pilot
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CHESAPEAKE
A new recreation center for South Norfolk could sit on the 4.5 acre site. So could a new business that generates thousands for the city's bottom line.
The City Council on Tuesday agreed to slow down plans to sell or lease the former National Guard Armory after about a dozen residents complained that they want a say in what happens to the property.
Chesapeake acquired the land in 1997. Other than a couple of community meetings, city leaders haven't taken action on the property until this week when the council voted unanimously to strike down a resolution that would have authorized advertising the property for sale or long-term lease.
Residents who attended the meeting said the last thing their community needs is more multi-family housing. The armory site is partially zoned as multi-family residential.
"This area has no soccer fields, no football fields, no tennis courts, no track. There is virtually nothing for the youth of the community to do out here because there is such a shortage of open space," said Kevin Amick, president of the South Norfolk Civic League.
Councilman Scott Matheson proposed that the council "cool things off" and explore other options and rezonings. Councilman Rick West said the city should not rule out its original plans for the possibility of sale or lease.
"Right now, everything is open for discussion," Deputy City Manager Wanda Barnard Bailey said. "We want to revitalize South Norfolk itself and we're looking at what we can do, if anything. We want to get people's ideas and concepts on what the community wants as a whole."
Marjon Rostami, (757) 222-5207, marjon.rostami@pilotonline.com
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The Armory
building is completely useless in its current condition. Several years ago, all of the copper piping in the building was stolen. The building is in extremely poor repair and has been recently used as a training site for the Chesapeake Fire Department.
The residents of South Norfolk don't object to controlled growth in their own back yards, but the rate at which lots are being split and developed, leaving little to no room for resident parking, has many residents concerned.
Considering that South Norfolk was one of the wealthiest communities before becoming part of the City of Chesapeake and has been horrendously neglected since then, for decades, it is no small wonder that the residents are insisting that they have a voice in the proposed development of the site.
This is typical
Everyone wants growth, and businesses as long as it's not in their backyard. In these trying times, citizens should not attempt to block cities from gaining advantages in attracting businesses for any reason.
National Guard needs
I'm curious why the National Guard doesn't need this anymore. Who decided that a National Guard unit was not needed in Chesapeake, a centrally located unit in Hampton Roads, and in an area of Virginia subject to flooding and storm damage? But if Chesapeake REALLY does not need a National Guard armory, then why not let private sector business buy it and build a business there. Another park doesn't sound like the most needed thing for a stretch of land between Franklin field and Cascade Park.