Comments on: What is Going On with Waterside?

By: recoveringteenager

recoveringteenager — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 20:56:47 +0000

Truth is, Waterside started dying the second Granby Street began its renaissance… It’s time City Council take it off life-support, and enable that riverfront real estate to serve a better purpose.

Sure, I’ll miss the Mongolian Bar-be-que stand and maybe get a little tender over childhood memories of the “Penny-Cruncher Machine”, but its for the best. Not only is the site an eyesore and serving as a horrible initial representation to all the hotel guests in such close proximity as to what Norfolk’s about, but its costing residents almost a million dollars a year to keep the lights on.

All this for “Bloomin’ Onions” and a look-see at knee-high sock wearing cute girls in skimpy orange shorts?

It’s a dead horse… and the mermaids are growing tired of the stench.

By: Jen Stringer

Jen Stringer — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 04:20:24 +0000

You know, there are a lot of theories about what to do with once burgeoning areas like Waterside. There seemed to be a lot of mislead development projects across the country during the timeframe of Waterside’s demise. The attraction of big named chains meant the loss of individuality which is, in essence, what creates ‘charm’.
As to the idea that a MIX can happen… Eureka! The best way to increase traffic to something like upstart Mom& Pop or a relocated local favorite- outside of amazing viral word of mouth – uthis to be located along the path to something that is getting a lot of traffic from your potential customers. It works best when big chains end up adapting beyond the typical ‘Big Box’ theme to fit a specific local with individual characteristics(i.e urban retail/ new urbanism/strict design criteria guidelines) where it caters naturally to locally owned businesses. The importance is to give people a reason to be in a place at any given time. Aggregated is usually the most representative of local needs and characteristics.

This is some great conversation. Sorry I have been absent for the past week or so. Kayla’s birthday party is next weekend and things have been crazy, I couldn’t pass up chiming in.

By: Leigh Rastivo

Leigh Rastivo — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 16:09:05 +0000

I’m not sure why there can’t be a MIX. I’m not much for big chains; however, if a lot of other folks like ‘em and they boost the economy — okay — let’s have a few; but can’t we also have that local flavor and the small, quirky, artsy shops too? Isn’t that what REAL cities do? Play to both crowds? Who visits a city so they can go to a chain restaurant? I seek out the local personality. The dilemma is: we all know those people who try to UNNATURALLY create personality. Nobody wants to be around them.

By: Jimmy

Jimmy — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 15:27:32 +0000

I agree with you Tiffany. It’s all about the independents but with that being said I don’t see the people of Hampton Roads LOYAL to the independents.

By: Tiffany R.

Tiffany R. — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 14:37:56 +0000

I think Waterside took a wrong turn when they looked to chain restaurants and “big” bars to save them. Granby St. and Colley Ave. are successful because of their independent stores, smaller, sexier, more personal bars and restaurants and local feel. Hampton Roads residents are proud of their local status and most prefer to shop, support, dine and play with other locals. While we enjoy the boost tourism gives our economy I think most of agree that we are sick of the cities kissing the tourists’ ass. Why not turn Waterside into a celebration of local arts and culture? Give local business owners a break for opening a second shop or restaurant there, display local art and history. Think about it, when you travel to a new city do you look for Hooters and Outback first? Or do you check out the local hang outs and try to get a feel for what the city is about? Tourists would still enjoy Waterside if it had local flair and it would surive the “lean winter” months because locals would enjoy it to. I think its a huge mistake the seven cities all make when they focus on attacting people here for a week or two of vacation and they leave out those of us who spend every day and almost every dollar in our hometown.

By: George Booker

George Booker — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 11:46:23 +0000

but brendan, what is this area about?

to me, and this is just in my humble personal opinion, hampton roads is about to slap a dick to yr mouth.

oh shit.

By: Brendan Kennedy

Brendan Kennedy — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 23:29:55 +0000

The problem with Hampton Roads, what makes it forgettable in the national context, is that when you think of marketing this area, people want to change it in a real artificial sort of way to make it “better” than what it is rather than embracing what it is that makes our area unique. For example, you think of San Francisco, you think of sour dough, the golden gate bridge, etc. You think of Philadelphia, you think of cheese steak, Rocky, etc.

This is essentially what’s kind of wrong with waterside. There’s no real good reason to go there anymore, and there’s nothing that’s particularly Hampton Roads about it other than the fact that it’s on the water. While I don’t necessarily know what that is, we need to figure out what this area is about, embrace it, and do something organic there, meaning don’t bring in a bunch of otherwise meaningless chains and nick-nack shops.