Park Place YMCA lines up funding from the city

Tonight the Norfolk City Council is scheduled to vote to approve $925,000 in funding for a new YMCA facility to be built on Granby Street, across from the Virginia Zoo. This project has a lot of momentum behind it, mostly because the Landmark Foundation pledged $4 million to the facility.

Proposed YMCA Location (Pic | hamptonroads.com)

Part of the issue is framing. The Pilot chose to frame this story by suggesting that the council is being ambushed with the vote to approve funds tonight. The Pilot interviewed council members who claim they know nothing about the issue and haven’t been given enough time to review it. The Pilot story does not mention previous coverage of the YMCA plan, such as the earlier article, “Norfolk council to hear plan for new YMCA center” (December 7, 2010), or this one, “Norfolk City Council hears plan for a new YMCA” (April 10, 2010). Apparently those earlier meetings were not enough for some of the council members. This negative narrative frame gives the impression that there is a secret cabal at work, despite the clear evidence that theplan has been presented to the council in at least two previous sessions.

Frank Batten Sr.’s Landmark Foundation pledged $4 million to the YMCA project last year, and the Hampton Roads Community Foundation has also pledged $500,000 to build the new Y. The rest is expected to be gathered from additional private sector donations. The city’s part, therefore, is less than %10 of the projected budget.

The civic league of Park Place has stated that the new YMCA “would make a huge difference in our community. We really hope it happens.” The facility would have a 32,000-square foot main recreation facility, a 7,000-square foot day care center and an outdoor aquatic park. The day care  center alone could be a huge boon to the working parents of Park Place, providing a safe, reliable place to leave their children for the day. The Y has pledged that it will work with the residents of Park Place to make the facility affordable. Its location in the neighborhood makes it easier to access than other facilities downtown.

And yet, there in the Pilot comments section, are the haters. Outsiders mostly, from the sound of it. People who distrust poor people and who have written off the Park Place area as a place where:

The people … take no pride in the community or the property on which they reside. Unkempt lawns, trash on the streets, graffiti, broken windows. Perhaps if they’d taken care of the property and businesses all along, they wouldn’t have felt so comfortable settling in and around there. But the mentality and lack of personal responsibility, accountability and pride will result in the new Y ending up as rundown as everything else, because they won’t take care of that either. Or are they suddenly going to become responsible citizens?

This is the kind of statement that can only be made by someone who has not spent time in Park Place, who has rarely visited the Zoo, who has never attended a Park Place Civic League meeting. It’s a broad stereotype of a neighborhood based on ignorance and fear. It’s not a fair assessment of the residents of that part of Norfolk. I am constantly flabbergasted by the type of person who will weigh in on an argument where they have nothing at stake, in order to disenfranchise someone they’ll never meet. “I know nothing specific about Park Place other than what I read in these comments on pilotonline, but I am sure that those people don’t DESERVE a YMCA!” is what they are saying.

So, in counterpoint to the vicious vitriol spouted by city-hating suburbanites, I’m going to raise my voice with the citizens of Park Place to urge the City Council to support this center by allocating funds. Let’s help the neighborhood in the heart of Norfolk keep improving itself by providing opportunity for exercise, day care and recreation. It’s worth it, and the city will benefit.

Light Rail at Night ( Pic | hamptonraods.com)

HRT needs volunteers for light-rail opening

Here’s something a little more uplifting: the Tide is looking to recruit 200 volunteer “Tide Guides” for opening day, August 19. Interested poeple must attend one of the orientation events to receive training. Tide Guides will ride the train and welcome people, and answer questions. You’ll also get a t-shirt,a water bottle, and a free lunch. Show your love for the Tide!

Civil War Shipwrecks in the James River

NOAA is sounding the bottom of the James River to map the contours of three Civil War wrecks. Read all about it.

Dominion Rate increase coming over next two years

Bummer. I recommend you turn up your thermostat a bit, to get used to running your AC less. If you’re one of those people who wears sweaters in your house in July, you’re part of the problem.

Missy Elliott on Behind the Music

Long piece full of surprising information. Who knew Missy’s life was so fascinating. My personal favorite Behind the Music, however, will always be the one about Styx. The pitiful image of Tommy Shaw complaining, “I just couldn’t sing any more songs about robots” will stay with me forever.

Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto.