May 15, 2023

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/9STMaGcc610

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 15, 2023, the DNCL had a balance of $1,766.88, 90 residential members, and 21 business members.

IV. Crime Report – Alan Driskell, CRO, Norfolk Police Dept. Officer Driskell reported that the crime statistics are the lowest he’s seen in a long time with just 7 car larcenies and only 2 stolen vehicles in April.

V. Downtown Norfolk Council Report – Audrey Fussell, DNC Operations Manager, presented the DNC Operations Report for April 2023 noting that they are spending a good portion of their time addressing issues in MacArthur Square and Fountain Park. She also noted that the Glow Ride and Bike to Work Day will be Friday, May 19. Rachel McCall, DNC Vice President, added that DNC is hosting an Employee Appreciation Day on Wednesday, May 24 to thank the employees who work in downtown Norfolk.

VI. Guest Speaker – Tiffany McClain, Marie Arnt, and Royal Ryan with HRT. Topic: Light Rail Safety. HRT launched a safety campaign in 2010, over a year before the light rail service began in 2011. HRT is getting ready to launch an updated safety campaign using grant money from Operation Lifesaver. The 2023 Safety Campaign will focus on a trouble spots: Brambleton Avenue and Second Street, Monticello Avenue Station, and Brambleton Avenue/York Street/Botetourt Avenue. When asked about the safety of light rail riders who are entering or exiting stations and being approached by some of the unhoused people who tend to congregate at certain stations, Royal responded that HRT has its own security team to respond to and handle any issues.

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

A. CUP: Ordinaire located at 200 E. Plume Street to operate a restaurant selling alcoholic beverages from 10 am to midnight.

B. CUP: General Public located at 147 Granby Street and Black Spice located at 244 Granby Street.

C. CUP: Prime Sports Bar located at 257 Granby Street. This is an expansion of Prime 255.

D. Demolition of 330 Granby Street. This building has been condemned and is expected to be demolished. There are no current plans for the space, other than demolition, but when plans are developed, they will be presented to DNCL. Rachel McCall noted that the building contributes to the Downtown Historic Overlay District and asked that the civic league understand all plans for the space prior to approving the demolition.

VIII. Announcements

A. Nate Sandel/Nauticus Director of Education & Public Engagement. Nate gave updates on Nauticus. The first of seven new galleries, Norfolk In Time, recently opened. The remaining six galleries are expected to open by mid-year, 2024.

B. DNCL May Social: Brother’s new MacArthur Center location at 5 pm, May 17.

C. DNCL June Zoom Meeting: NPD Chief Mark Talbot on Monday, June 19 at 6 pm.

D. DNCL June Social: Outside at Leone’s (weather permitting) on Wednesday, June 21 starting at 5 pm.

IX. Adjourn – The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 pm.