Posted on May 16, 2022

Downtown Norfolk Civic League

I. Lelia Vann, DNCL President, called the meeting to order at 6 pm. The recording of this meeting is available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WqZOPzJsO9I 

II. A motion to approve the minutes from last month’s meeting was made and seconded. The minutes were approved without change.

III. Financial/Membership Report - As of May 13, 2022, the DNCL had a balance of $1,330.20, 100 individual members, and 33 business members.

IV. Crime Report – Alan Driskell, CRO, Norfolk Police Dept. Officer Driskell reported that the recent triple shooting at MacArthur Center, one in the 400 block of Monticello and one in the NEON District are still being investigated. A question was asked about the number of people who have been apprehended riding ATV’s Downtown now that the street cameras have been installed. Officer Driskell did not have an immediate answer but will research and report back. Leila expressed her appreciation for the NPD efforts downtown and indicated that the DNCL will continue to push for the city to increase support and compensation for NPD officers.

V. City Planning Commission Projects/Architecture Review Board – Preston Carraway, DNCL VP

A. CUP: Temporary casino located in the Norfolk Boxing Center and Hits at the Park restaurant space at Harbor Park. Kevin Kattwinkel with Hanbury Architects presented an overview of the architectural design for the temporary casino which will be operated while the permanent casino is being constructed.

Rodney Ferguson, Executive Vice President of Gaming and Resort Operations, addressed the questions DNCL member submitted (prior to the meeting) about their concerns with the CUP. Q1 (security measures) answer: With respect to security within the facility, Headwaters plans to have 45 in-house, unarmed, trained security personnel as well as electronic scanning devices using Evolve technology. The Evolve technology detects guns, knives, pepper spray, and the like as patrons pass through the scanners at casino entrances. They also plan to have state of the art surveillance system that will monitor the inside and exterior of the property. Finally, Headwaters will contract with Securistas Security Services to provide on-site security with patrol cars as people enter and leave the property. Q2 (boxing center displacement) answer: The casino will work with the city with respect to the relocation of the Boxing Center, but that issue is a decision for the City of Norfolk. Q3 (casino effect on Tides baseball) answer: Headwaters Resort and Casino has a good relationship with the Norfolk Tides, and they expect to see increased attendance at the ballpark due to the inclusion of the casino in the vicinity. Once the two years is up (two years is a state lottery commission limit for a “temporary” casino), Headwaters intends to return the facility to the city and the Tides, but the details are yet to be determined. In response to a concern that the casino will draw already limited police resources away from Downtown, John Thompson stated that the casino will be generating a significant amount of revenue for the city and that they do not intend to do anything that would impair the safety of the city. Another question about whether the Harbor Park parking would be included in the temporary casino, John Thompson, with Golden Eagle Consulting, indicated that the details of that agreement are not finalized with the city but that he doesn’t think the west side of the parking area will be part of the purchase and will be something the casino and city would address separately.

VI. Downtown Norfolk Council – Mary Miller/DNC President and CEO. Mary noted that May is Bike Month, Friday, May 20, is Bike to Work Day and the Glow Ride will be that evening. Also, the DNC will have its annual meeting on June 8

A. DNC Ops Report—Audrey Fussell/DNC Ops Manager. The Operations statistics shows a decrease in alcohol containers and the Ambassadors report that they are not having issues in the same problem areas. This may be due to the increased police presence downtown. FRED ridership is way up but both vehicles are now having minor issues. Lelia thanked Audrey and her team for the graffiti removal and trash cleanup issues they address.

VII. Guest Speaker – John Stevenson/Acting Transit Director. John presented a brief overview of the Transit Department’s organization and responsibilities. The Multi-Modal Transportation Master Plan is nearing completion in its two-year process. The plan will provide a framework for transforming the transportation system in the city. The Transit Redesign included in the Multi-Modal Plan has a goal of being implemented in January 2023. The conversion of the Boush Street parking from temporary to permanent on-street parking is still in the planning stages with a goal for requesting bids and having the work completed sometime in the Spring of 2023. Regarding Lime scooters, John indicated that the company is introducing improved scooters and an improved app. New technology is being developed to manage scooters on sidewalks. Geofencing is too inaccurate, but the new technology would use a smart camera on the scooter that would “see” the sidewalk and slow the scooter automatically. It is unclear when this technology will be available. Lelia pressed John to hold Lime to the do the things they say they can do to limit scooter litter throughout Downtown.

VIII. Old/ New Business

A. John Miller noted that there are only two of the 30 plots still available until additional plots are built. John thanked many of the people and organizations that contributed to the Garden and helped get it established.

B. DNCL Social: Grace O’Malley’s Irish Pub on Tuesday, May 17 at 5 pm.

C. May 20 is Bike to Work Day and the Glow Ride

D. June 8: Law Enforcement Torch Run along Boush from 9 to 10:15 am.

IX. Announcements

A. Raymond Stoner, Parking Director, will be the guest speaker at the next DNCL meeting on June 20.

X. Adjourn – The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 pm.