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  • Visioning Session Slide Presentation

    Press Release Apr 19 2009
    From Visioning Sessions

    NorthFork Riverwalk Development project completed two 3 hour visioning sessions that include 88 people in attendance on April 16, 2009.

    HDR Engineering Inc. presented a NorthFork Riverwalk information slide presentation (9.7 MB PDF file) to help kick-off the session and what has been doneup up to this point. The presenetation included the results from the,

    • Interview Sessions that were held February 9th and 10th were over 60 individuals being interviewed,
    • Economic analysis of the current trends and possible development opportunities, and
    • Case studies of other communities and how their redevelopment activities relate to the NorthFork project.

    The visioning session participant then completed a Strength, Weakness, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT) Analysis which was a community driven collection of ideas followed by a community consensous on the ideas presented through a voting process. The results were shared with the participants which will be included in a report.

    The final step of the Visioning Sessions was a Geomapping Exercise were participants were able to annotate and existing map of the study area with possible redevelopment activities.

    Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threat (SWOT) Analysis is a good method to collect community input in small groups and then build consensus between the different participants. Each group had 4 sheets of butcher paper that they included ideas on the 4 different areas relative to the project. Each group shared with the facilitator those ideas which were consolidated. Then the individuals where given 4 sets of color dots (3 each) to correspond to the 4 areas and then asked to vote on the idea they felt was the most important. An individual could put on three dots on one ideas if they felt strongly about it.

    A photo album is posted at the Picasa NorthFork Riverwalk website.

     

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  • Interview Session Summary Report

    Press Release Mar 26 2009

    The following Interview Session Summary Report was compiled by HDR Engineering Inc. staff members, released March 26, 2009.

    On February 23rd and 24th, the North Fork Development Project hosted a series of small group interviews to identify opportunities for development along the north branch of the Elkhorn River through the City of Norfolk.  Interview participants represented a cross section of the Norfolk community, including business and property owners, artists, teenagers, young professionals, tourism representatives, educators and interested community members.  Each group responded to the same questions about the river and the future of Norfolk.  Responses varied from group to group, but over the two days, several common themes emerged.

    All respondents considered the river an underused asset.  Primary users of the river were difficult to identify.  Most commonly cited uses included children fishing and the Relay for Life duck race.  It was generally believed that most people in Norfolk were unfamiliar with the stretch of river that runs through town, or if they were familiar with the river, they were unsure if the river could/should be used.  Many participants felt that the river could become the signature or post card image for Norfolk. Ultimately, the development project should be more than just a landmark.  It should also improve the overall quality of life in Norfolk to benefit everyone in the city, help attract and retain jobs, and make Norfolk a regional destination for visitors.

    In order to be successful, interviewees suggested that the North Fork Development Project should build upon Norfolk’s genuine, hometown qualities and should strive to become a relaxed, friendly environment for families.  Uses for the riverfront should focus on:

    • Active and passive recreation – Walking/biking paths, picnic areas, play fields, natural open space, etc.
    • Arts – Public art display opportunities, sculpture gardens, and arts-based activities
    • Amphitheater – A venue for live performances such as the Comedy Festival acts or concerts
    • Education – Science, environmental, and horticultural learning opportunities for students of all ages, school age to life-long learners
    • Unique dining and shopping– Boutique or specialty dining and retail not found in other places in Norfolk, particularly independently owned businesses
    • Housing – Nontraditional housing styles for Norfolk including rental properties for long-term professional placements and condominium or townhouses for purchase by young professionals, young families and empty nesters
    • Civic building – City and county administrative offices
    • Event and programming opportunities - Coordination and management of events was seen as particularly important as several events that had been held in the past had been scaled back or discontinued. 

    Engaging all ages in the community, from youth to senior, is critical for the North Fork Development Project.  Also important for the success of the project are small, but highly visible projects that can be implemented quickly and inexpensively in order to build momentum and interest for larger, long-term investments.  In the past, participants noted that the City has not been perceived as entrepreneurial or open to new ideas.  All hoped the riverwalk development project would be a partnership building process for the City, local businesses, schools and community organizations.

    http://picasaweb.google.com/NorthForkRiverwalk/InterviewSessionSummaryReport#

     

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