2011 Norfolk Downtown Housing Study--The Art of the Possible
Here are the images I took of the out-brief from Norfolk Downtown Housing Study.
http://picasaweb.google.com/NorthForkRiverwalk/2011DowntownHousingStudy#
This will basically complete a portion of the economic analysis of the NorthFork Riverfront Development Project Master Plan that was not funded. [http://www.visioning2026.com/NorthFork/HDR/090731_NorthForkRiverwalk_FINALdeliverable_SMALLsize.pdf]This can now be used (when finished) with our existing marketing material to really promote the effort to developers. This gives the City an excellent road map on how to integrate this proposal with the City’s Park and Trails Master Plan. [http://www.visioning2026.com/NorthFork/NorfolkParksandTrailsMasterPlan.pdf] With TIF availability for the area this could really help kick off some efforts.
The individuals from the firm doing the study were really excited about the possibilities given their analysis of the 10 year housing needs supporting this new development in downtown Norfolk. I added some notes to the images to try and capture some of the high points. They included connecting this development to Veterans Memorial Park and the riverfront greenway to the north. They noted the opportunity of adding kayaking water barriers to divert stream flow below the spillway for improved water sports and vacating Nebraska Ave. Marty, one of the members of the firm, stated, “This will put Norfolk on the map.” He was really excited about integrating concepts from around the country right into this area. Nothing that he knows has put all the pieces together at this scale, downtown, housing, riverfront, recreation, trails, parks, multi-family, multi-generational.
The other thing I really like about the different housing units being considered is we have the opportunity to create a mini-community right in our downtown district. This in my mind implements the concept of a project that a few of us documented several years ago (2005) considering a vertical multi-family multi-generation housing unit in downtown Norfolk. [http://www.visioning2026.com/background/] [http://www.visioning2026.com/docs/NORFOLK-THIRD-MILLENNIAL-CENTER.pdf]
I think this further supports the need to collect data and better understand the water quality of the North Fork. We are helping the City and community get ahead of the curve on future challenges. This is coming together with the Norfolk Sanitary District leading the way on the “best” method for the community to replace the failing retaining wall below the spillway.
Hats off to the Norfolk Housing Authority to allow this design and analysis team to expand the horizon for our community.
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