Light Rail and Economic Development Form Friendship

Recently, the Urban Land Institute hosted around 100 government and business leaders to “discuss strategies for promoting development projects that maximize use of the nascent light-rail system.”

Economic development officials from Virginia Beach and Norfolk (as well as several local developers) were quoted. The article doesn’t specifically state the outer suburbs were excluded, but I assume they were, as they are not major parts of the light rail discussion at this time and the obvious next step is furthering the line out to the beach.

I was particularly happy to hear from Virginia Beach’s economic development director, Warren Harris, whose ideas made sense (Newtown Road being “probably the best location in all of Hampton Roads for development. It’s close to Virginia Beach, close to Norfolk, close to interstates.”) His thoughts on the future of development, and how urban centers are what’s most feasible for future growth, are also solid. He’s working to educate developers to start steering towards urban (versus suburban sprawl style) development.

He says, “I think it’s been more of an education process to bring about a shift in a developer mindset. There’s still a mentality around for more of a suburban development scheme rather than an urban scheme.”

I love these words and thoughts, Mr. Harris. I’m particularly happy to hear this kind of thing coming from Virginia Beach. Norfolk has been (pun intended) on board for a while, citing examples like Kotarides Developers’ building the Belmont at Freemason specifically when and where they did to maximize the prime location potential moving forward. Harris’s recognition of these types of benefits and his willingness to express why they’re needed in places like developers’ ears–or The Virginian-Pilot–is impressive.

I’m not familiar with his record on the whole, as it regards economic development at the Beach (ie: if he’s responsible for the demise of Jewma’s and Heritage, that stinks). However, when you’re in a position where a large portion of your population says things like “every time I load the trunk of my car with bags at the mall I offer up a silent prayer of thanksgiving to the benevolent gods of suburbia who have given me such an easy life. Driving… beats riding buses–or trains–any day,” through Kerry Doughtery’s megaphone, and you politely but firmly stand by the facts (urbanization is better for the economy and environment than suburbia; creative-class types are vital to a city’s health; light rail can and should be integral to all this), I want to shake your hand and thank you for taking a stand and saying what is obvious and is right.

The lack of regionalism in this area is my number one pet peeve in living here. What we have the potential to accomplish by uniting our cities is so massive, and could be so successful, not only for economic development, but also for civic pride, national recognition of the existing talent here, tourism, and culture. Light rail discussions between Norfolk and Virginia Beach officials–and recognition that shared areas like Newtown Road have potential for vertical development with a public transport-centered focus–are steps in the right right right direction.

Choo choo!

Norfolk Doesn't Like Your Spice

Local Business Restricted by Government

Wow, that sounds awfully Republican of me. Eh. Good thing labels are bogus and I get to think what I want.

The Lazy Dayz Hookah Lounge in Ghent applied to the city for extended operating hours, as they are now required to close up shop by midnight. The owner, John Sedwick, wants to be open until 2am on weeknights and 3am on weekends, which makes perfect sense, as he’s drawing the non-drinking bar crowd who would potentially spend money at his establishment into those wee hours.

However, from the city’s perspective, John Sedwick is a Spice pusher. His product is bad for us. It’s not illegal, mind you, it’s just detrimental to things like motor skills, heart rate, etc. Completely (wink, wink) different than alcohol and cigarettes.

Did I mention he doesn’t even sell Spice in his Norfolk location (only his Newport News spot)? His reputation as a merchant of this controversial (and, again, legal) product preceded him from the Peninsula and, in a 4-4 split, Norfolk’s city council rejected his request for extended operating hours.

I’m no Spice fan. Jay Ford said it best last week: “This drug has been linked to seizures, heart problems, and other nasty side effects, so we probably should not be taking it. However, I feel like I would be remiss if I did not mention that none of the aforementioned side effects have been attributed to marijuana.

Why are we inventing dangerous drugs to mimic benign drugs? Oh yeah. The drug war that’s keeping us all safe.”

However, I’m also not a big fan of transfats or tequila either. Doesn’t mean I think local business owners who sell vices of any sort need to be restricted unnecessarily. Especially when the guy isn’t actually selling the vice in the Norfolk location. I call this one unfair and out of touch.

HRSD: Hampton Roads’ Serious Dimwits

So, HRSD didn’t charge a bunch of people around Hampton Roads for the last few years, due to their own error, and costing them $370,000. They only have 460,000 accounts total, so this equates to them $0.80 per client. Not that the clients’ who paid all along should pay this extra fee.

However, instead of this (in what I’m sure they’re customer service representatives are calling their own personal hells), HRSD has begun surprising its customer base with bills as high as $5,600. Surprise! Welcome to the holiday season!

I don’t blame the people who weren’t paying one bit. Hampton Roads is ridiculously difficult to navigate when it comes to water, gas, sewage, recycling, et al. I’ve lived in Newport News, Smithfield, Virginia Beach, and Norfolk over the last decade, and I still can’t tell you what I pay for and what my tax dollars pay for without double checking my check register. Poquoson resident Dana Broderson said it best. “I was paying my water bill, my sewer bill, and I didn’t know there was supposed to be another bill in between.” Well, now that you suddenly owe an unexpected $500 to HRSD, who never billed you in the first place until now, you surely won’t forget who they are and what they do going forward.

The Web Has Made Us Lazy Researchers

The headline says so. I decided to research it (on the web, no less). But it was boring so I took a nap.

Free Wedding Dresses for Military Brides

Tomorrow (Veteran’s Day), military brides can go to Maya Couture in Norfolk and get a free wedding dress. They must be active duty or be engaged to someone on active duty and need to bring identification and a copy of deployment papers, orders or other proof. The dresses will be given on a first come first serve basis.

That’s sweet. Is it my first choice in Veteran recognition or assistance? Buying brides wedding dresses instead of focusing on, say PTSD-management, education on family/relationship management during active duty times, or pretty much anything that supports and strengthens the existing, struggling military marriages and families already out there? Not so much. But hey, someone has a lot of dresses to give away, so doing it this way is sweet.

Happy Early Veteran’s Day

Here is a list of things that will be closed tomorrow in observance. Thank me, as this means you don’t have to get up early tomorrow and Google it and can remain a lazier-than-me internet researcher.

Fundraisers for Family of Victor Decker Scheduled

“Time to dust off my Harley and fill up the tank for a great cause.” In keeping with BC’s recognition of Pilot commenters who are rational beings, I’m just going to agree with Hopkinsbailbonds, as the “cause” he’s referring to are a few fundraisers set for this weekend to assist the widow and infant daughter of slain Norfolk police officer Victor Decker, whose senseless murder remains unsolved.

Metaphorical Bridge.

Norfolk and ODU Get Props From Charlotte

Right on! Some folks from Charlotte took a field trip to Norfolk last week to watch the ODU game and fact-find, compare, strategize and whatnot regarding college football’s status in Charlotte. The writer, David Scott, was quite impressed with our team. He wrote a blog to get the word out, and promises a lengthy article next week, which I’m excited to hear.

“I talked to several alumni,” he says. “One of them, from Virginia Beach, is an ’87 graduate. He hadn’t been back to the ODU campus until football started last season. He feels connected now.”

Excellent. I love progress. I love someone in Virginia Beach is “connected” to Norfolk (Never mind that you hadn’t been back in 23 years?!? you live 30 minutes away?!?) Let’s keep building these bridges people (in the metaphorical sense–we need no new bridges in the transportation-is-ridiculous-when-it-shouldn’t-be sense.)

Since hell is truly freezing over, with me talkin’ pub-luh-kun, writing about football, leaving out music events, napping… I guess I’ll just leave town and go to Costa Rica in search of a real life Merowl. See you dudes next week.