Good afternoon!

I hope you are enjoying the start of the summer season.

There is exciting news about the new Norfolk Fitness and Wellness Center and Library.  The construction fence just went up and demolition of the old building will start soon with an expected completion date of fall 2027.  This $68M facility, located in the Wards Corner area of Norfolk, is a combined recreation center and library.  The Primeplus Senior Center has relocated to the Titustown Recreation Center where the city made some renovations to accommodate this wonderful program for seniors.

The amenities for the new recreation and library center include the following:

• 25-yard, 8 lane lap pool, with
• two 1-meter diving platforms
• Therapy pool
• Lazy river
• Indoor splash pad with waterslides and spectator seating
• Fitness center
• Basketball court
• Cardio room
• Elevated indoor running track
• Multi-sport open field
• Pickleball courts
• Two playgrounds
• Walking trails
• Nature explorium
• Outdoor seating and gathering areas
• Library

The City is taking another important step to make it easier to do business with Norfolk. One of the issues I first ran on was to make it easier for residents and businesses to conduct business with the city. I was hearing challenges from developers, large and small, and residents about their struggles.  Over the years, the city had made some improvements but most recently they have filled a new position called the Development Liaison Manager (I had called for a “Business Navigator”, close enough!). The manager will serve as a navigator for residents, developers and businesses in the permitting and approval processes.

Lastly, having lived in Larchmont when I first moved to Norfolk put me in a good position to advocate for flood mitigation projects in the neighborhood. When I first got on Norfolk City Council residents approached me about fixing a low berm issue in the neighborhood.  And, I can say that finally, the city will finish this flood mitigation project this fall at the intersection of Sylvan Street and Walnut Hill Street. A higher berm is being constructed to prevent tidal flooding that comes in over the lower berm area and floods the neighborhood. I know the area well as I lived one block away on Rolfe Avenue when I first moved to Norfolk. When this intersection floods, the water keeps coming up the street to the adjacent streets and you literally can’t get in or out of the area by car.  You have to park your car on Powhatan Avenue and wade back and forth to your house.  I am glad this project is coming to a close as it will enhance the quality of life for a lot of residents. This is close to my heart, but a similar project was completed recently at Cambridge Crescent and Carroll Place . And, there is a project funded to address the flooding at Surrey Crescent and Richmond Crescent in the very near future.  Flood mitigation is critical to our city.

Have a good weekend. Enjoy Harborfest and the many other activities happening around Norfolk.

Cheers!

Courtney

 

Norfolk Peace Memorial Ceremony honoring those who died in the line of duty 

 

 

With the Girl Scouts cleaning Ocean View beach with a trash pickup

 

 

Love it when we can bike 12 minutes from house to downtown for a concert at Scope Arena

 

 

Grady on long walk to Plum Point Park