South Norfolk Municipal Facilities Study and Development Strategy

In 2014, Chesapeake City staff met with community representatives from the South Norfolk Revitalization Commission and the South Norfolk Civic League as well as other City departments to discuss community needs and revitalization strategies. The result of this collective dialogue and review led to a list of findings that were used to guide the selection of potential projects recommended for funding under the South Norfolk Tax Increment Financing District (TIF).

Through these dialogues, it was evident to City staff that there is a significant and sustained interest amongst City officials, residents, businesses and other stakeholders to achieve the revitalization of South Norfolk through worthwhile projects that could have beneficial impacts for the community by removing development barriers, improving access to essential services, creating positive draws to bring people into the area, addressing negative public perceptions that have discouraged private investment, and improving transportation access.  Included in the priority list of catalyzing projects were the South Norfolk Property Acquisition Program, the 22nd Street Bridge replacement, the feasibility study for the 22nd Street site, and finally the South Norfolk Municipal Facilities Study and Development Strategy. The Chesapeake City Council approved these priority projects in February 2016 from the fund balance of the South Norfolk Tax Increment Financing District.

After a thorough request for proposal process in fall/winter of 2016, HBA Architecture was awarded a contract in late June 2017 to begin the South Norfolk Municipal Facilities Study. The purpose of the study will be to evaluate the feasibility of locating satellite municipal functions in South Norfolk in a consolidated facility. Such a facility would create new public investment in the area that could target blight and improve community image. The facility would introduce new daily business and employment trips into the commercial core and increase service delivery efficiency due to community proximity. The municipal facilities study area map extends down Poindexter Street and reaches north on Liberty Street to 16th Street plus south on Bainbridge Boulevard by Holly Ave.

A community meeting was held on July 31, 2017, at the South Norfolk Memorial Library Meeting Room to identify the community's concerns and needs, as well as providing information about the scope of the study. A presentation was given during the open house to present the project background and introduce the online survey. Notes from the open house have been summarized for those that could not attend. A presentation was made during the City Council Work Session on October 17, 2017.

A second community meeting was held on Wednesday, February 21, 2018, at the South Norfolk Memorial Library Meeting Room. Candidate sites for municipal facilities were reviewed at this meeting. An online survey was made active for two weeks for those who were unable to make comments at the meeting or who were unable to attend. If you would like more information on potential sites, please view the presentation and notes.

A presentation was given by HBA during the April 10, 2018, City Council Work Session with the preliminary results of HBA’s study and community input provided. The study will be completed in May with a final report anticipated in June.

For more information, please contact the Planning Department by email at planning@cityofchesapeake.net or by phone at 757-382-6176.