THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, July 23, 1994 TAG: 9407220010
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
The spirit of a community is a fragile thing. It is the consequence of many factors, some of which are influenced locally by the actions of many people over many years.
The progress throughout Norfolk in the past decade has nourished this spirit, which is now at a high point. Most observers who are knowledgeable in urban affairs believe that this physical and social advancement throughout this constricted central city exceeds all reasonable expectations. If permitted, many residents in all parts of this city take some joy in the evidence of this.
Your editorial ``Stick to basics'' (July 11) disparages this city using several incomplete and incorrect observations.
``In numbers of businesses, Norfolk seems to have held its own over the past 10 years but it has also lost population and jobs'' damns with faint praise and an inaccuracy. Norfolk has not lost jobs but gained jobs (227,000 jobs in 1980, 244,000 in 1992; non-military 137,000 in 1980 vs. 144,000 in 1992). The population of this 94 percent built-up city is remarkably steady, depending on how many and what kind of ships are in port when the census is taken.
Your statement that ``Norfolk city government has touted downtown development as a means of boosting Norfolk's tax based and diversifying its economy'' in this context seems to question whether what was ``touted'' was actually achieved and is silent concerning this development's value to the rest of the city. However, the tax base rose from $46 million in 1981 to $425 million in 1990, and thousands of new jobs have been created in a crescendo of new facilities generating visitors, income, jobs and public enjoyment, as well as providing net income for use elsewhere in the city.
The entertaining secession stunt of ``seven'' dissatisfied Ocean View residents mentioned in its first paragraph seems to have stimulated this editorial (actually this protest was announced before, not after, City Council reorganized). These critics are not alone, but the chronic protestations of their leader were weighed at the polls in the past two councilmanic elections and soundly rejected.
There will always be difference of opinion concerning the extent of the value to other parts of the city from investments in another part of the city (such as downtown, Commerce Park, Ocean View and Middle Towne Arch). Existing evidence indicates that benefits are appreciable in jobs, net income for use elsewhere and cost avoidance.
Costs of failing to make such investments are difficult to quantitate but are real. Most objective analysis by people respected for their knowledge of urban affairs of which I am aware indicates a remarkable benefit in dollars and quality of life spread throughout this city. They persuade me that a round of applause is in order, not a Bronx cheer.
MASON C. ANDREWS
Member, City Council
Norfolk, July 18, 1994 by CNB