NORFOLK -- The City of Norfolk asked developers what they envisioned for The Waterside as well as the area around it along the downtown waterfront. Those developers submitted proposals, which city leaders shared with the public Tuesday.
"We're getting the opportunity to say, 'Look, you've given me this, uh, but I don't think that's where we want to be in terms of the public input we have,'" explained City Manager Marcus Jones. "Everybody's gonna have to be open to refining what they've pitched. That's what the negotiating process is about."
Jones made it clear, there is no commitment by the City to any proposal or any commitment of money by the City at this point.
There are 5 submitted plans:
1. Harvey Lindsay Proposal
- Includes conference center, two mid-sized hotels, office building, and marina
2. Beach Music Awards Proposal
- John X. Aragona for Mark7 Studios would position location as a "Norfolk Sound" beach music themed venue
- Would include restaurants, food court, sports bar, and retail stores on first floor
- Beach music cocktail lounge and fine dining supper club, Shag dance club, theater and broadcast studios, and comedy club on second floor
3. Drakkar America Proposal
- Entertainment and multi-use pro sports complex
- Acquire Sheraton; build 22,000 seat arena and multi-use towers
- Proposal includes option to seek an NBA franchise (or operate without)
4. Project Neptune III Proposal
- Entertainment and dance based themes development
- 150 hotel rooms.
- Entertainment to include 3 nightclubs, a private members club, 2 restaurants, sushi and oyster bar, and outdoor deck bar
- Movie theaters.
5. Cordish Proposal
- Cordish's developments include "Power Plant" developments.
- Entertainment and restaurant themed experience to include live entertainment opportunities
- Live entertainment on 1st floor plus restaurants and food court
- Restaurants and event room on 2nd floor
"It's a big area, and it can support a major franchise," said Andy Chianese, excited by the Drakkar America Proposa, which builds in the possibility of professional basketball. "The others? Nothing, it's all stuff you've seen before, you know. This is something fresh and new, and that's what this area needs. It needs something fresh and new."
"Taking advantage of the waterfront is the most important thing and making sure that that's available to all the citizens," said Ginger White, whose first job was in The Waterside years ago.
White favors a major renovation of the property as covered by the Cordish Proposal with restaurants and entertainment remaining the focus of the downtown destination.
Meredith Martin, who lives in Freemason, hopes any plan incorporates elements that are uniquely Norfolk.
"I'm not really a fan of the whole chain restaurants. I hate to say that, but I'd rather go to Granby Street and pick out a little privately owned business and support that," Martin said.
Jones hopes the City and city council members will have a better idea of what the waterfront's future will be within the next few months, incorporating input from people who live in Norfolk before making and decision.
