Good afternoon,

I hope this email finds you well at the start of 2022!  I hope you had a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday with family and friends.  I was fortunate to have both Thanksgiving and Christmas with family with no health issues.  It was great to be together and see everyone.

Councilwoman Mamie Johnson and I walked part of the Lafayette Boulevard corridor in December with representatives from the civic league and folks from the city transit department to discuss traffic and speeding issues.  We hope to implement some calming measures so that residents and drivers are safer along this stretch of road.  It is clear that something needs to be done when you walk on the sidewalk around 4:30pm on a weekday and experience this first hand.  Traffic calming and road safety is such an issue in Norfolk and throughout the country. It is one of the most common concerns people share with me.

Progress continues to be made making Hampton Boulevard a safer corridor for pedestrians and drivers.  The Hampton Boulevard Task Force met again in November.  A few actions have recently taken place including:

• In early December, I met with the Motor Carrier Committee that the Virginia Port Authority pulls together on a bimonthly basis. This group includes owners and operators of truck companies who operate between port facilities in Hampton Roads.  I asked this group to convey three items to their drivers: slow down and respect the speed limits; adhere to driving only during the designated hours for trucks between 6:00am and 4:00pm; and stop running the red lights. The Port of Virginia committed to conducting a campaign on their port properties with dynamic messaging, brochures and other communication channels to reach the drivers and operators.
• Norfolk is supporting recommended legislation to expand where speed cameras can be located beyond just school zones and work zones. Hopefully, the General Assembly will consider the recommendation in this upcoming session.
• Finally, the pedestrian crossing at Hampton Boulevard and Spotswood Avenue was modified to make it safer for pedestrians to cross before the light turns green and cars can begin moving into the intersection.

As many of you know, the Norfolk Fitness and Wellness Center at Wards Corner has had its share of facility challenges over the last few years, to say the least.  The good news is that there is considerable ($4 million) money set aside to plan, design and engage with the community to determine what the new center could be in the future.  We will start with a public planning meeting in January where we will ask the community what they want at this location.  I know a pool is top of mind for many as the current indoor pool is completely inoperable.  It is too early to give a construction timeline. I will advocate for the FY23 budget to include funding for this future project.

Happy New Year! Be safe and stay healthy.

 

Ghent Tree Lighting

 

My backyard ferns still thriving in December

My backyard ferns still thriving in December

 

 

Grady and his bowtie!