THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, July 17, 1996 TAG: 9607170004
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A16 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Another View
SOURCE: By MASON C. ANDREWS
LENGTH: 76 lines
Concerns about the design of MacArthur Regional Shopping Center have been expressed in the press recently. The public should be aware that these concerns have been addressed and mostly accommodated. These solutions are judged to be excellent by a wide spectrum of people including the city Planning Commission, the Design Review Committee (two architects and one landscape architect), many representatives of Norfolk Historical Society, St. Paul's Church, the Historic Houses Committee and the city's design advisers.
These solutions respond to and generally accommodate (1) a desire for a pedestrian-friendly, attractively landscaped facility, streetscape and facade complementing existing structures and (2) the bedrock retail necessities that science and experience indicate are required if shops and shoppers are to be attracted to the center. Some preferences had to yield to acceptable substitutes to accommodate both goals.
The facility is designed with multiple entrances and exits at the heads of surrounding streets to stimulate retail development that will attract some 12 million to 15 million visits annually by people not normally in downtown. The arrangement of the mall is similar to the Galleria in the center of Milan, Italy, which has been successful for 100 years.
An objective analysis by professionals responsible to the public may be beneficial. The director of project review for the state Department of Historic Resources, reports:
``(Norfolk's) decision to consider the project in relation to the overall cityscape, including the existing and historic vehicle and pedestrian circulation patterns, the known and potential historic landmarks and the development of adjacent communities, including the (Norfolk campus of) Tidewater Community College, is excellent. The general design concept is very good. . . .
``The elevations have good proportions and they relate well to the historic and other buildings in the vicinity. There appears to be excellent relief and depth in the elevations; far too many modern buildings are delineated in only two dimensions. . . .
``Other pleasing components of the design concept are the re-establishment of Freemason Street on its historic alignment; the upper-level, open-air restaurant seating on the Monticello Avenue elevation; and the free-standing exterior vehicle ramp on the Freemason Street elevation.''
This approved basic design places major retail along Monticello Avenue and will create a lively street facade and entrances to add life to the adjacent Granby district. On City Hall Avenue, there will be entrances to Dillards, two to the center itself, a series of display windows coordinated with landscaping which will transform City Hall Avenue into a grand boulevard. The east side faces St. Paul's Church and the Willoughby-Baylor House and will include Nordstrom Department Store, with a restaurant set in a historic park designed to harmonize with the historic buildings in the area. The Freemason Street side of the complex will either be an extension of this park or lined with new townhouse offices and apartments to add vitality.
The concentrated parking on five floors provides close, convenient and safe access for shoppers arriving from throughout the region.
The whole effort is being coordinated with the Granby district to make sure that parallel investment and improvements happen in the district west of the center. In other cities the impact of a major retail center has been to stimulate the creation of a complementary district. The types of shops will be different - locally owned rather than national chains.
Norfolk has had the benefit of the best marketing analysts, the best major retail developer (Taubman) and excellent design advisers Jonathan Barnett and Ray Gindroz (a nationally respected urban designer and consultant to the U.S. department of Housing and Urban Development). There has been active constructive participation by local citizens on the Planning Commission, Design Review Committee, Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority staff and board, the Norfolk Historical Society, the Committee for the Historic Houses and representatives of St. Paul's Church.
I hope that many people will examine the current proposal with others knowledgeable about the design and how it attempts to meet the dual goals described. If both goals are not met, regional retailing cannot come to Norfolk. MEMO: Mason Andrews, a physician, is a Norfolk City Councilman. by CNB