Norfolk Off-Topic

[vdogg]

Seems like a plan is already in motion.

https://www.pilotonline.com/food-drink/vp-db-opennorfolk-outdoor-dining-20200521-zh642g4n6jgmfhfu3mjcaetucy-story.html

[EJ_LEWIS]

Norfolk and Virginia Beach's CVBs have joined forces to promote both cities.  I love to see the state's largest and second largest cities that are joined at the hip cooperating with each other for a change. 

https://visitnorfolkvabeach.com/?fbclid=IwAR0HeZcD9QH7HPvJ7u_YECsNTArD5dT_p8AQf6Z92dQ4bTyQDLcCA7FyF_4

[carolinaboy]

21 hours ago, EJ_LEWIS said:

Norfolk and Virginia Beach's CVBs have joined forces to promote both cities.  I love to see the state's largest and second largest cities that are joined at the hip cooperating with each other for a change. 

https://visitnorfolkvabeach.com/?fbclid=IwAR0HeZcD9QH7HPvJ7u_YECsNTArD5dT_p8AQf6Z92dQ4bTyQDLcCA7FyF_4

Wow, progress. Baby steps. This is good.

[BFG]

Found a comprehensive plan for the brownfields project over near Harbor Park. It includes temporary and long-term planning, including renderings for apartments next to the stadium.

https://www.norfolk.gov/DocumentCenter/View/55574/NORF_Final-Report?bidId=

[Virginia City]

Looks ok however I hope they don't have first floor apts for flooding reasons.

[EJ_LEWIS]

Norfolk/Virginia Beach has the highest Hotel occupancy rate in the country.  

https://str.com/press-release/str-us-hotel-results-week-ending-4-july

[BFG]

The article mentions us being in the Top 25 of U.S. markets. I'm guessing that list is based on number of rooms available?

[baobabs727]

Yes. Nice. 

[BFG]

I was in Novel Coworking space a couple hours ago, and it's crazy to see the changes that have happened downtown. With the new apartments like Gravity, Gateway Tower, the casino, and MacArthur's rebuilding, downtown has some great potential to seriously put this area on the map.

[vdogg]

https://www.wavy.com/news/local-news/newport-news/tribune-closing-daily-press-office-in-newport-news-leaving-staff-without-newsroom/amp/?__twitter_impression=true
 

So let me get this straight,  This Chicago-based company swooped into our area, bought up all of our newspapers, and then closed all the news rooms? This is not in any way remotely acceptable, and I expect the local cities and governments to get involved in this. This is the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen.

[BeagleAccountant]

16 minutes ago, vdogg said:

https://www.wavy.com/news/local-news/newport-news/tribune-closing-daily-press-office-in-newport-news-leaving-staff-without-newsroom/amp/?__twitter_impression=true
 

So let me get this straight,  This Chicago-based company swooped into our area, bought up all of our newspapers, and then closed all the news rooms? This is not in any way remotely acceptable, and I expect the local cities and governments to get involved in this. This is the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen.

These hedge funds managers have no interest in operating a local paper. They cut everything piece by piece and continually claim the revenue isn’t there, despite the paper being profitable the entire time.  It’s insanity.

[BFG]

1 hour ago, vdogg said:

https://www.wavy.com/news/local-news/newport-news/tribune-closing-daily-press-office-in-newport-news-leaving-staff-without-newsroom/amp/?__twitter_impression=true
 

So let me get this straight,  This Chicago-based company swooped into our area, bought up all of our newspapers, and then closed all the news rooms? This is not in any way remotely acceptable, and I expect the local cities and governments to get involved in this. This is the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen.

My thoughts on how badly Tribune has screwed over the journalists and readers in this region are not fit for this forum. I genuinely wish the Batten family had never sold Landmark Communications. The Pilot and other Tribune's style of writing has gone downhill tremendously, and this latest move is absolute garbage on their part.

[metalman]

Shouldn’t a newspaper be like congress in that you have to live in the region you represent!

Edited September 16, 2020 by metalman

[NFKfloodcaptain]

If there was a smaller replacement to the Virginian-Pilot, what would this group want to see covered most?  

[BFG]

Local and regional issues, esp. on things like business development, infrastructure, sports, etc. Of course, if (God forbid) a crime happens in my neighborhood, I'd like to hear about that too, but I'd like to see a mix of all of the above. Does a Fortune 500 company wanna build a tower downtown? Are we moving forward on LRT or an airport expansion? Does Pharrell have plans for the next chapter of Virginia Beach? 

Southside Daily does a decent job of that and sometimes beats The Pilot to the punch on some stories. They also don't have the negative slant the Pilot does when it comes to anything resembling a progressive idea in Hampton Roads. However, their headlines need work. I can only take but so many "Here's What/Where ___" articles before my eyes glaze over.

[urbanlife]

On 9/16/2020 at 2:19 PM, BFG said:

Local and regional issues, esp. on things like business development, infrastructure, sports, etc. Of course, if (God forbid) a crime happens in my neighborhood, I'd like to hear about that too, but I'd like to see a mix of all of the above. Does a Fortune 500 company wanna build a tower downtown? Are we moving forward on LRT or an airport expansion? Does Pharrell have plans for the next chapter of Virginia Beach? 

Southside Daily does a decent job of that and sometimes beats The Pilot to the punch on some stories. They also don't have the negative slant the Pilot does when it comes to anything resembling a progressive idea in Hampton Roads. However, their headlines need work. I can only take but so many "Here's What/Where ___" articles before my eyes glaze over.

It looks like Southside Daily doesn't exist anymore.

[BFG]

The possibility of ODU, EVMS, and Sentara merging is being studied.

https://www.pilotonline.com/news/education/vp-nw-evms-odu-sentara-project-20201031-xpgn6qg2f5gbdohijep5wjpipy-story.html

I would think that would put ODU and the area on the map in terms of top med schools and research institutions. This could be huge if it comes to fruition. 

[Arctic_Tern]

WHAT? That is big big big big big big news. This would be so much better for the area than the proposed EVMS/W&M merger that was proposed a few years ago. I really really hope this happens!!!!

[baobabs727]

10 hours ago, Arctic_Tern said:

WHAT? That is big big big big big big news. This would be so much better for the area than the proposed EVMS/W&M merger that was proposed a few years ago. I really really hope this happens!!!!

Why would a W&M merger not be as desireable?

[Arctic_Tern]

On 11/1/2020 at 1:31 AM, baobabs727 said:

Why would a W&M merger not be as desireable?

Keeps things in South Hampton Roads. I think it's a really bad look for Norfolk and ODU if, instead of merging with the local national research university just past a mile down the road, the only local medical school merges with a more liberal arts/law focused school almost an hour away on the peninsula. Also, if this goes through ODU would anchor both sides of Colley Ave, which would really increase their visibility in the city. It also mentions working with NSU, and getting funding from Sentera, who looks (to me) to be trying to increase their strength in the region (don't forget they hold a pretty critical piece of Military Circle). This amount of coordination and cohesion I think amplifies the power of each of these institutions, and is something of which I think W&M really has no interest in. 

Edited November 4, 2020 by Arctic_Tern

[baobabs727]

On 11/1/2020 at 5:36 PM, Arctic_Tern said:

Keeps things in South Hampton Roads. I think it's a really bad look for Norfolk and ODU if, instead of merging with the local national research university just past a mile down the road, the only local medical school merges with a more liberal arts/law focused school almost an hour away on the peninsula. Also, if this goes through ODU would anchor both sides of Colley Ave, which would really increase their visibility in the city. It also mentions working with NSU, and getting funding from Sentera, who looks (to me) to be trying to increase their strength in the region (don't forget they hold a pretty critical piece of Military Circle). This amount of coordination and cohesion I think amplifies the power of each of these institutions, and is something of which I think W&M really has no interest in. 

I’m not saying you were doing this, but I, personally, have a policy of refraining from pitting  South Hampton Roads versus the Peninsula, or Virginia Beach versus Norfolk for that matter. I don’t really care which one gets the go ahead to merge, I just look for the best deal for both entities.  We are one region, and either school (W&M or ODU) would make good use of the synergistic venture and alliance between the two schools. 

Edited November 7, 2020 by baobabs727

[urbanvb]

Harris Teeter Properties LLC purchased the old gas station property at 7726 Granby Street. Does anyone else find this curious? They already have a store nearby. 
 

 

Edited November 7, 2020 by urbanvb

[BFG]

That is very bizarre, considering the one literally a quarter-mile away. I live not far from there, and would love to see an Aldi or Lidl go somewhere in Wards Corner. Not sure if you could fit one on that site and include parking. 

[Arctic_Tern]

1 hour ago, baobabs727 said:

I’m not saying you were doing this, but I, personally, have a policy of refraining from pitting  South Hampton Roads versus the Peninsula, or Virginia Beach versus Norfolk for that matter. I don’t really care which one gets the go ahead to merge, I just look for the best deal for both entities.  We are one region, and either school (W&M or ODU) would make good use of the synergistic venture and alliance between the two schools. 

So, I see this less as a "Peninsula vs SHR" issue but more as "this does not maximize the areas potential" thing. Cause I disagree with your second point. I don't think that W&M would be as engaged as would an ODU/Sentera merger. While ODU has a health sciences college (undergrad through doctorate degrees), a nursing program, bioengineering, and is investing in a new health sciences building, W&M has a "Kinesiology & Health Sciences" undergraduate degree and Pre-Nursing. I honestly feel like the proposed merger was just a prestige piece for W&M. Whereas ODU (and Sentera and NSU) would make it a priority, as they've already made a commitment to health sciences.

[BFG]

Agreed. That’s not to say W&M shouldn’t expand its reach. I just don’t see how coming all the way to Norfolk makes sense, when two schools are within 10 minutes of EVMS. Maybe create a Southside satellite site instead, the way ODU has one in Hampton, and HU at VB Town Center?

That said, once this HR/RVA megaregion idea starts taking off, and the state begins expanding its tech presence, esp. between the Peninsula and Richmond, that may present the perfect opportunity for W&M.