Kirn Memorial Library

[vtfan18]

Here is a photo of the new library going up in San Diego. Notice their trolley system. Would be nice if we could get a great design with light rail.

[cpeakesqr]

Here is a photo of the new library going up in San Diego. Notice their trolley system. Would be nice if we could get a great design with light rail.

[mistermetaj]

I don't like it. Why not do the whole thing edgy and modern, and not mixed with a traditional design?

[vtfan18]

I don't like it. Why not do the whole thing edgy and modern, and not mixed with a traditional design?

[vdogg]

I think it looks pretty daring, but it may turn out being one of those buildings 20 years down the road where people say "What were they thinking?".

[Telmnstr]

The owners of this building priced the condos outrageously, serves them right. I've known about this for three months but i was sworn to secrecy More office space is obviously needed and welcome in downtown, i just hope the owners learned their lesson and price it as B space, not A space.

[Sky06]

Seaboard Center sold to Norfolk

Inside Biz Story

[lil-bear]

A look inside

............nothing like having to move more than once!!!

[Former Resident of HR]

Norfolk needs a huge central library as much as it needs half the other stuff they are always trying to spend money on. The current library is homeless haven #1 (hh #2 is the TCC library). The Seaboard building would be fine for the downtown branch and the money would be better spent building nicer community center type libraries in neighborhoods where people actually live. I live within walking distance of the Kirn and rarely visit because it stinks, the "employees" know less about the collections than the patrons and overall atmosphere is less appealing than the Greyhound Bus Depot.

[Sky06]

Too bad they can't turn the Seaboard center into the LRT station and renovate Kirn.

[lil-bear]

Downtown Library

This Looks promising!

[Chesapeake Pirate]

This is a wonderful and generous gesture by Mr. Batten and it really addresses the existing debate about location and priorities which would have lingered and festered and been devisive for many years.

This will become another "part of what makes Norfolk great", based on Batten's dreams and visions expressed.

[urbanlife]

this is good news for the city. Granted do to its location and size, I can see how this would work against the idea of working with TCC for a joined library, but it is a shame that there isnt a stronger push for this. It would be possible for them to build a larger building on this site to aid both the city and the college, but the distance from the campus and the library would be a bit bothersome.

Although the plus side of having the library for TCC here, would be the fact that it would make the campus even more connected to the fabric of the city and could increase student foot traffic.

When making a comment like this, I sometimes forget how small downtown Norfolk really is, so I think it would be in the city's best interest to interweave many of these ideas and thoughts together.

[vdogg]

This is a great idea. Mr. Batten is very generous and the new library will be a nice addition to downtown.

[Padman]

This is a nice solution. It keeps the library in the business and commerce center of downtown, preserves an historic structure and fits in nicely with the physical surroundngs. This won't be an iconic, futuristic extravagance. Given the crazy circumstances, it is a sensible plan, although I hate to see the Kirn go.

[rusthebuss]

I really wanted them to do a joint venture with TCC. I think the library would have been insane! There is no way that they can add more than 3 floors to the expansion piece for TCC?

[tombarnes]

I'm still displeased that the Kirn is being disposed of so casually. Nonetheless, this looks like a solid idea for downtown Norfolk. I love the idea of incorporating the Seaboard Building into the new complex. Mr. Batten is showing his generosity once again indeed.

[ffjjjj]

I'm still displeased that the Kirn is being disposed of so casually. Nonetheless, this looks like a solid idea for downtown Norfolk. I love the idea of incorporating the Seaboard Building into the new complex. Mr. Batten is showing his generosity once again indeed.

[stillill]

Just a comment: How does one get a start on becoming a billionaire? Locally, by hiring 11 year old kids at way below minimum wages to deliver your newspapers for many years, often times in very difficult working environments consisting of rain, snow, cold, and dog bites. Slave labor? No, but close to it. And by paying the lowest wages possible to all of his other employees(again while watching his own fortune grow). And by using monopolistic, oligopolistic business tactics (buying up all competitors once they become large enough to be semi competitive, as in Military Newspapers of Virginia, Flagship publications, Trader Publishing, Automart Publishing, and Tidewater Trading Post), to the point of controlling 95% of all local print media, and then raising without impunity advertising rates at all of those publications. The man is a smart businessman, but please don't treat him as a god just because he was able to make a billion. And just because he is now using that fortune to buy his own immortality.

[tombarnes]

Deifying Frank Batten? Not at all. I was merely saying that it is good to see local people returning some of their riches to the city and the area.

[rusthebuss]

Deifying Frank Batten? Not at all. I was merely saying that it is good to see local people returning some of their riches to the city and the area.

[burt]

Deifying Frank Batten? Not at all. I was merely saying that it is good to see local people returning some of their riches to the city and the area.

[scm]

Just a comment: How does one get a start on becoming a billionaire? Locally, by hiring 11 year old kids at way below minimum wages to deliver your newspapers for many years, often times in very difficult working environments consisting of rain, snow, cold, and dog bites. Slave labor? No, but close to it. And by paying the lowest wages possible to all of his other employees(again while watching his own fortune grow). blah, blah, blah, blah -- you get the picture.

[Telmnstr]

I guess we should just consider ourselves lucky that they didn't route the LRT through MacArthur Mall and the Chrysler Museum. They didn't, did they?

[Telmnstr]

Just a comment: How does one get a start on becoming a billionaire? Locally, by hiring 11 year old kids at way below minimum wages to deliver your newspapers for many years, often times in very difficult working environments consisting of rain, snow, cold, and dog bites. Slave labor? No, but close to it. And by paying the lowest wages possible to all of his other employees(again while watching his own fortune grow). And by using monopolistic, oligopolistic business tactics (buying up all competitors once they become large enough to be semi competitive, as in Military Newspapers of Virginia, Flagship publications, Trader Publishing, Automart Publishing, and Tidewater Trading Post), to the point of controlling 95% of all local print media, and then raising without impunity advertising rates at all of those publications. The man is a smart businessman, but please don't treat him as a god just because he was able to make a billion. And just because he is now using that fortune to buy his own immortality.