Zoo Turns 125, Library Reopens, and a November Ballot Question

Hello!

I hope you have enjoyed your summer. It has been a fast one. Thanksgiving will be here in a hot minute.

July and August were full with civic league meetings, constituent meetings and Norfolk City Council meetings. On August 6, 2026, Norfolk City Council held a special meeting at which time we voted unanimously in favor of adding a referendum to the November 3, 2026 ballot. The referendum gives voters the opportunity to decide on the 1% sales tax increase to go towards school construction and major renovations.

The Virginia General Assembly gave localities the opportunity to add this to the ballot in their latest session. Localities have the opportunity to put this on the ballot as early as this November or any election thereafter. Norfolk City Council’s vote on this was simply to give the voters the opportunity to decide. Had we not put forward the opportunity for the voters to decide via the referendum, we would have in essence made the decision for the voters and we didn’t want to do this. We want the voters to decide. The length of time for the 1% increase, should this go forward, would be for a 20-year time frame.

The Virginia Zoo in Norfolk recently celebrated its 125th Anniversary. Can you believe the Zoo has been around for 125 years? Wild! It was fun to walk around and see the new cheetahs (Walnut and Cashew) the giraffes, lions, zebras, rhinos, and more.

A few fun facts about the Zoo…

Norfolk purchased 65 acres in 1892 that would become Lafayette Park
In 1901, the park became known as the Lafayette Zoological Park
Today, the Virginia Zoo itself is 53 acres, houses over 700 animals and represents 150 species
More than half a million visitors come to the zoo every year

The Larchmont Library is open after a one year renovation. And, the trailhead behind the Larchmont Library on the Elizabeth River Trail (ERT) is complete with a new kayak launch. I recently biked by the library on the ERT and everything looks great.

Hope to see you around town and enjoy the early start to fall.

Cheers!

Courtney