THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, December 15, 1994 TAG: 9412130099
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 07 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Opinion
SOURCE: BY BILL CANDLER
LENGTH: Medium: 84 lines
After two generally enjoyable visits to Nauticus, a project I would very much like to see succeed, I had a strong sense both times that something critical was missing, that certain something that would make me want to return often.
I thought about it, asked questions of other visitors, then realized what was bothering me.
The impression is one of rapidly diminishing returns as one proceeds from the third to the first floor. The building itself is an architectural marvel, but I'm not sure the overall level of activity inside is equal to the expectations it creates.
The third floor is wonderful, particularly for computer-literate and video-game-fanatic youngsters - which is OK from my computer-illiterate adult standpoint because it is pleasure enough to see all the electronic wizardry in action and the kids (mostly) having fun. And the Aegis Theater is well-done, fun and exciting.
On the second floor, the heightened sense of expectation and excitement of the third floor begins to drop. Yes, the film is terrific and sustains the initial mood, but the Virtual Reality piece was disappointing. For one thing, it didn't work very well - only a few of my buttons responded. Consequently, I failed miserably as ``commander'' of the sub and was verbally abused by my crew afterward. For another, it seemed only a little more interesting than a fairly intense 3-D movie rather than the exciting, futuristic electronic wizardry expected.
Then there's an art exhibit and the Hampton Roads Naval Museum, a lovely facility, to walk through. Both are well-done but seem strangely out of place at Nauticus. Both are very passive and don't mix well with the expectations created electronically on the floor above or by the expansive architectural environment. It's like going directly from a crowded, boisterous party into a place of meditation. Sort of a downer, a little disappointing maybe.
The fine little museum is all well and good enough, I suppose, until one walks out, hoping to become reinvigorated with more activity and innovation. After all, there's another whole floor yet to go. But, instead, you become aware that you've just seen about all there is to see in the interior of Nauticus.
What's left?
An entire first floor of food and gifts - as if Waterside didn't have plenty of that next door. Then you realize that this huge, three-story facility is really only half-full of excitement, if that.
The problem, I think, comes from the expectations created by the enormous size and futuristic appearance of the place (as well as the advertising focus on excitement and high technology) and the adrenaline-pumping activity on the marvelous third floor - which, I must say, is not sustained elsewhere.
But I don't want to just carp and offer no solutions.
So what could be done?
I suggest cutting the gift shop in half, giving the other half over to a smaller food operation, and use the rest of the first-floor space now dedicated to the huge restaurant for: a large Chesapeake Bay-oriented aquarium (always a crowd-pleaser), and/or more computer/ electronic activity, and/or if nothing else, many indoor/outdoor naval/ nautical objects/exhibits.
I think any of these would substantially heighten the overall interest level of the facility and more people would come, offsetting the lessened revenue from the smaller food and gift operations.
All of this may sound critical, but it's only meant to help. Like many citizens, I am proud of and love Norfolk, and I am excited by the changes to the city over the years past and in the years to come. I want to see Nauticus work and work well. But recent news reports indicate it's not.
I don't pretend to have the answers, but this otherwise marvelous facility needs something more if it's going to make it. And I don't think it can wait very long to improve the interior mix and level of activity. Whatever is done, if anything, will probably be expensive but, hey, we all know we have to spend (more) money sometimes.
Perhaps an aggressive public effort by the city and Nauticus to start a positive community dialogue (via a citizen survey? focus groups?) on what changes could be made to make it more successful would help.
That would be much more productive than sitting back with an ``I told you so'' attitude and letting the talented, hard-working Nauticus staff and management serve as scapegoats for the facility's financial difficulties. MEMO: Bill Candler is director of communications for Tidewater Community
College. by CNB