DATE: Friday, September 26, 1997            TAG: 9709260795

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B2   EDITION: FINAL 

                                            LENGTH:  101 lines

HAMPTON ROADS - NEWS BRIEFS

NORFOLK

More talking needed to resolve concerns over apartment plans

The city's Planning Commission met for 90 minutes with developer Arthur Collins II Thursday before deciding they needed another meeting to try to resolve concerns about an apartment complex Collins wants to build in downtown's Freemason Harbor.

The commission scheduled a joint meeting with Collins and the city's Design Review Committee on Oct. 6 to discuss differences.

At issue are building materials Collins has proposed using, including vinyl siding on sections of exterior walls, asphalt shingles and a metal copper-like material to be used as trim.

The two panels, which advise the City Council on such things as design and zoning issues, disagreed on use of the materials. The Design Review Committee approved their use; Planning Commission members objected.

``We're 100 percent for this project,'' Planning Commission member Donald L. Williams told Collins on Thursday. ``We just want to make sure that the package that comes in is the highest quality you can afford.''

Collins, a Greenwich, Conn., developer, said his firm wants to build a luxury rental apartment building that is ``more than just marketable, but exceptional.''

Eventually, Collins Enterprises plans to build three 60-unit apartment buildings and about 60 condominium units between Boush and Duke streets.

Madeline Sly, a Freemason resident and vice president of the Freemason Street Area Association, said the group is excited.

Masonic lodge giving aid to struggling Hunton YMCA

A Norfolk Masonic lodge has taken the struggling William A. Hunton YMCA under its wing.

Blooming Light Lodge 132 Prince Hall Masons will help set up programs and raise money for the nation's oldest independent black YMCA. The facility is downtown, near the Tidewater Gardens public housing neighborhood.

The lodge's past master, Steven Sheppard, said the move was ``an investment in excellence, to see them prosper. There's a lot of history there.''

Sheppard said involvement would include establishing programs and the donation of items such as basketballs, nets and jerseys as well as money.

He said the lodge, with its African-American membership, felt a special camaraderie with the Hunton. The lodge is 98 years old, and the Hunton recently marked its 123rd annual meeting.

The facility, whose finances and future have seemed shaky in recent years, has been under new leadership for over a year and is expanding its offerings.

VIRGINIA BEACH

New day care center for elderly to be dedicated

The first adult day-care center in Hampton Roads, the M.E. Cox Center for Elder Day Care, will dedicate its new building at 4 p.m. Sunday at 644 N. Little Neck Road.

Formerly housed in a cramped 1,500-square-foot space in a building owned by St. Nicholas Catholic Church, the adult day care has moved into a sparkling, 6,200-square-foot facility right next door. About $380,000 - 5 percent shy of its $400,000 goal - was raised in two years through local donations and grants to construct and furnish the building.

The new facility is licensed to care for 45 adults who are frail or functionally impaired. Currently, 30 adults spend all or most of their weekdays there under the leadership of executive director Sharon Goumas.

The public is invited. For more information, call 340-4388.

CHESAPEAKE

Hearing slated Oct. 2 on athletic rules, policies

The Parks and Recreation Department's Advisory Board will hold a public hearing Oct. 2 on proposed changes to athletic rules and policies for 1998.

Staff recommendations will presented before the board at the 7 p.m. meeting, to be held at the South Norfolk community center, 1217 Godwin Ave. The public can view the staff's proposed changes beginning Tuesday at all Chesapeake community centers.

Written recommendations must be received by the department by Oct. 10. They can be mailed to: Chesapeake Parks and Recreation Department, P.O. Box 15225, Chesapeake, Va. 23328.

The board will vote on proposed changes at the Nov. 6 meeting. For more information, call the city's Athletics Office at 382-8375.

Flea market on Saturday to benefit hospital project

The Chesapeake Kiwanis Club will hold a flea market from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Saturday at the Old Chesapeake Fire Station at 116 Reservation Road near the Great Bridge locks. Proceeds will benefit the Children's Kiwanis Emergency Center at Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters.

COMING UP

The state has limited resources and lots of spending priorities. Both candidates for governor are counting on economic growth to fund their ideas while giving money back to taxpayers. How realistic are those projections? The Virginian-Pilot will examine those issues Sunday.

Look for related stories Friday at 6 p.m. on WVEC, where political reporter Mike Gooding will introduce the property tax issue. On Friday at 9 p.m., there will be a discussion by voters and experts on WHRO, rebroadcast Sunday at 3 p.m. and on LNC Saturday at 3 and 9 p.m. MEMO: Staff writers Pam Starr, Nancy Lewis, Jon Glass and Lewis

Krauskopf contributed to this report.

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