The Virginian-Pilot
©
NORFOLK
Instead of tearing down Waterside, the city should refurbish the downtown landmark and hire a private developer to manage it, according to a five-person group tasked with studying the struggling marketplace.
Three influential groups - the Downtown Norfolk Council, the Greater Norfolk Corp., and the visitors and convention bureau - urged Mayor Paul Fraim and the City Council in September to tear down the facility, saying it had outlived its usefulness.
Since opening in 1983, Waterside has gone through several transformations, from a festival marketplace to a retail outlet to a restaurant destination. Waterside is now mostly vacant.
After meeting for a week in Norfolk, the panel unanimously urged the city to retain Waterside and find another purpose for it.
The panel was composed of five planning and real restate specialists from outside Norfolk, including Debra D. Campbell, director of planning in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, N.C.
"While there were serious and intense debates concerning the details of our recommendations, there was complete agreement about our principal finding," the panel wrote.
The council received a copy of the report Tuesday.
The panel said the city must relinquish its role as landlord and turn it over to "a competent private real estate development and management entity - a master developer."
"The city is not a good landlord," a majority of the panel determined. "It is not their area of expertise."
The panel also recommended that Waterside be reconfigured to better integrate it into the waterfront and downtown. The report indicated that Waterside Drive "currently contributes to a sense of isolation of the waterfront."
The panel said the "ideal core use" of the ground floor would be a "large-scale public market with fresh fish, fruit, vegetables" and local and organic farm produce.
It recommended recruiting "a top flight seafood venue with outdoor seating and entrance."
The second floor should have a nightclub, a health club and perhaps a banquet facility, the panel said.
Fraim said he has not read the report. "I'm not going to prejudge" it, he said.
He said the council will consider the report when it meets on Jan. 25 and will make a final decision on Waterside this spring. He said there probably will be public hearings before the decision is made.
"Everyone's going to have their own opinion about Waterside," Fraim said. "It seems to me like we're getting some good advice. Now we'll see what the public has to say."
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Waterside
The City of Portsmouth has decades of experience....They should rent the Waterside location and show them how to run a riverfront! Then Waterside Norfolk VA can have a dead cat throwing contest and not hit a soul on that side of the Elizabeth River as well.
We have to get away from
We have to get away from REAL developers and stay local because the REAL ones are the ones taking our money and running. The marina is not forgotten it comes with waterside in my opinion. I think we need to open waterside for local business and make it a star of Norfolk and then put some other things down the waterfront past the dominion tower to make it like a "Water walk" my name for a waterfront walking area. extend the marina down the waterfront and shopping restaurants and activities all the way to harbor park a merry go round different music whatever. The entire waterfront should be jumping on weekends. Open parking at city hall garage and plaza and open parking on weekends because downtown will be the place to be money will be
The only problem with Waterside.
City mismanagement. Prime location, decent (but overpriced)parking, and ignored by the city as they built up around it. I'm sorry but the Norfolk politicians that brought us the failure of Waterside and the train to No Where have to go.
It's not a landmark
till it's as old as the Dome.
Then we'll tear it down.
1958-2005
Still got a long way to go.
Snowballs chance in .........
Just imagine how awesome it would be to be able to walk from Harbor Park along the entire waterfront past Nauticus. The leader's need to look at the entire waterfront -- very ugly indeed. I say tear it down and then ensure whatever development occurs encompasses the unique location that exists. Utilize it with some creativity open it up and close Waterside drive as well-- lets see more pedestrians. And why in the world your poll mentions Casino is ludicrous -- seems people forgot we live in Virginia. I would love to see a casino-- but be realistic. At least have options on the poll that actually have a honest chance of occuring.
An outside view . . .
It is always healthy to get an outside view of things from time to time. Too often people involved in a project can't see the whole picture, they can't see the forest from the trees. A differ point of view doesn't mean you have to follow it. It just gives you a different look at things.
If It Is Not Torn Down, Make It A Showcase
If Waterside is not torn down then make it a true meeting place for all. Make it a business marketplace, farmers market, cafes, stages for local acting and musical talent, a main stage facing the waterview, mezzanine studios for the local tv newscasts, in other words a true meeting and marketplace showcasing and promoting the people and businesses of , I want to say Tidewater, Hampton Roads.
Marketplace might not work
So you want it to be a marketplace for fresh produce? Then how am I supposed to get my tote bags full of apples and tomatoes and fresh fish to my car? Carry them over the bridge? Right! I can NOT see that happening! I seriously doubt that we would be allowed to bring shopping carts into the parking garage. When I shop for produce at the Farmer's Market I often end up with **lots of produce. I cannot see myself negotiating the distance across Waterside Drive on the bridge, while carrying a watermelon, five pounds of salad makings and some fresh fish!
Norfolk:Live with your decision.
Reember, Norfolk you just relected Fraim. He is your Saint and can not do wrong. Live with your decision.