THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 26, 1995 TAG: 9503260229
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SCOTT McCASKEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Long : 129 lines
If the Old Dominion University Master Plan comes to pass, entire blocks along Hampton Boulevard would be demolished, streets would be rerouted, and many existing businesses would be forced to relocate.
Revealed at a campus briefing Thursday, the ODU Master Plan calls for extensive revamping of a 75-acre area extending to Killam Avenue between 38th and 49th streets. What the plan calls for could take up to 20 years to complete and would cost tens of millions of dollars.
The project would include a 10,000-seat convocation/sports center, 1,000 new housing units, new academic buildings, high-rise parking garages, a Greek row, new retail and commercial sites, a movie theater, and numerous parks and green spaces.
Another public briefing is scheduled at 7 p.m. Monday in the north cafeteria of the Webb Student Center.
An overview of the scheme was given by David F. Harnage, the university's vice president for administration and finance.
``Approximately three years ago, we initiated a study to find a way for ODU to grow,'' Harnage said. ``East is the only way we can go. The university is committed to preserving the residential integrity of Larchmont and Lamberts Point.''
Larchmont lies to the north of the campus on the west side of Hampton Boulevard. Lamberts Point is to the south.
Harnage outlined the plan's objectives, noting the need for more research facilities, housing and a convocation center. Providing greater commercial and business space are also top priorities.
Safety is another vital element.
``The project has to be designed in such a way to diminish the perception that some areas of the campus are an unsafe environment,'' he said.
The plan brings numerous parties to the table.
Ayers Saint Gross Inc. of Baltimore and Washington designed the plan. Harnage has met with City Council, the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority, the Department of Public Works, civic leagues and business associations to coordinate the project.
``The university cannot do this by itself,'' Harnage said. ``We need the city and the neighborhoods to pursue the same dream.''
The project would be implemented in six phases.
The first phase would concentrate on housing, creating new business space and opportunities, and relocating existing establishments. Phase two would focus on building the convocation center and rerouting streets and traffic patterns. The third phase would provide green space and parks. The largest proposed green site is on an existing area of wetlands between 47th and 48th streets.
After the third phase, the plan would be reviewed to determine how market forces may influence development over time, Harnage said.
``We feel it's important to build in flexibility for changing needs,'' he explained.
Phase four, as now conceived, would provide more commercial and retail development. Phase five would put in additional parking. The final phase would build more housing.
There is no timetable for the project at this point, Harnage said. Funding and other critical details must be worked on before approval. Financing could come from a mix of private, city and state monies, Harnage said.
There is a possibility the site will be designated as a Redevelopment Area, under the direction of the NRHA. Activities such as land acquisition, demolition and public improvements would be handled by the agency. But before that happens, there will be more discussion with the university and the city, said R. Patrick Gomez, NRHA community development director.
The earliest estimate for ground-breaking on phase one is 1998. Work on the convocation center wouldn't start until at least 2000.
Harnage used several maps, charts and graphs to explain the project.
``The purpose of a master plan is to define the land-use program of an area,'' he said.
A key element of the plan is to infuse integrity and quality into the site's architecture.
``We want to build this in a way that has charm and character,'' Harnage explained. ``We want to create an academic village within the city . . . where people walk to class, work and dinner.''
He said many structures would have retail space on the first floor and offices or residential units above.
Harnage has been briefing citizens and various city and civic groups for the past several weeks. Although he said the plan has ``received overwhelming support,'' several of the 30 or 40 people at Thursday's ODU meeting had concerns.
Some said they hadn't received any official notification of the briefing.
``I heard about it on campus,'' said Paul Seifert, manager of Friar Tuck's Pub, a bar on Hampton Boulevard across from the campus. ``The way it sounds, we're going to have to be closed for some period of time. Relocation doesn't happen overnight. But I think as long as they (the school and city) work with us, it will be a better deal. They will be beautifying the area and helping everyone's business.''
Business owners not at the briefing also had concerns.
Dave Halla, owner of Gray's Pharmacy at 4712 Hampton Blvd., said he already had been briefed.
``The impact is that once the school makes this announcement, the property won't have any value to any outsider,'' Halla said. ``What merchant would want to invest when they know the property is going to be torn down in four or five years? I'm excited for ODU - it's a good plan, but who's going to want to rent in the meantime with this cloud over their head?''
Marvin Thompson, owner of Marvin's Service Station at 4800 Hampton Blvd., said he had heard nothing about the plan.
``They're going to do what they want to do,'' he said.
But Harnage said that working with existing businesses is crucial.
``We want to retain existing businesses by giving them an opportunity to relocate,'' he said. ``We have no desire to say `take a hike.' . . . Business is a priority. We're looking for partners, not adversaries.''
Harnage emphasized that it is only a plan and that the university is getting input on it now.
``We're not trying to be a bull in a china shop,'' he said. ``We really want this to be a plan that the city and the people on the west side of Norfolk can take pride and ownership in.'' ILLUSTRATION: Map
STAFF
ODU MASTER PLAN
Graphic
ODU MASTER PLAN
10,000-seat convocation and sports center
1,000 new housing units
New academic buildings
High-rise parking garages
Greek row
New retail and commercial sites
Movie theater
Numerous parks and green spaces
by CNB