THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, April 6, 1995 TAG: 9504040154
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 05 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SCOTT McCASKEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 92 lines
The waters were anything but calm at a recent meeting on the proposed expansion of Norfolk's 37th Street Water Purification Plant.
Plans by the city to enlarge and renovate the 75-year-old facility have some Lamberts Point residents worried that the project would force people from their homes.
Held by the Department of Utilities at the Madison Career Center on March 30, the forum brought heated questions to city officials and debate among residents.
Louis Guy, director of the Department of Utilities, addressed the crowd of approximately 100 people.
``You're willing to take our property and make people homeless,'' one resident interrupted soon after Guy began his presentation.
``Let the man talk,'' another resident interjected.
``We're not talking about taking anyone's home,'' Guy said. ``We're asking you for your input.''
Amid outbursts and repeated interruptions, Guy, along with staff from the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority and the planning department, revealed three alternatives for the project.
The first would expand the plant to a site on Powhatan Avenue, currently owned by Norfolk Southern railroad, as well as to industrial property and city-owned land. The second alternative would expand the plant along city-owned and industrial property on 26th Street. The third option also would use city-owned land and industrial property but would encroach on six to eight residential sites between 27th and 37th streets.
The project is needed to comply with federal operational and safety standards that go into effect in 1998, followed by more guidelines around 2005. Improvements also are required to repair deteriorated parts of the aging plant, Guy said.
The facility now provides water for most of the western half of the city. Construction would be in three phases over 20 years, costing the city approximately $60 million. Guy said the city is asking for all of the projected land needs now so that the ``community won't be bothered for another 50 years.''
But residents had other worries besides residential encroachment. They voiced concerns about noise and disruption and that the project would infringe on the community's status as a Neighborhood Conservation Area.
``What about the conservation plan?'' one resident asked. ``The city promised that to us.''
Lamberts Point was designated a conservation area in January 1994. The primary focus of a conservation area is to conserve a neighborhood as a residential area.
Under that status, the neighborhood qualifies to receive federal monies for low cost mortgages, property rehabilitation and other improvements.
``The conservation plan has already been adopted,'' Planning Commissioner Anthony C. Paige explained to the crowd. ``This project will not stand in its way. This is an exercise in problem solving. Everyone can benefit if we approach this in a cooperative attitude and stop bickering.''
At one point, Paige threw up his arms in frustration with the dissent and interruptions.
``The last time the city tried to explain a plan to us, we were divided, and ODU came in and took the land where our forefathers lived,'' Paige said. ``This man is not telling you - he's asking you what you want.''
Mayor Paul D. Fraim said that the city is committed to keeping the conservation plan, to protecting the integrity of the neighborhood and to working with the citizens to help alleviate any disruption caused by the project.
After Fraim spoke, a preliminary consensus was reached: Alternatives one and two were deemed initially acceptable but need to be looked at more closely. Alternative three, which would affect some residential property, was ruled out.
Alternative one hinges on the railroad selling the property. Alternative two would be the most expensive, about $35 million for phase one.
``Alternative two would require the city to spend more money, but that's fine,'' Paige said. ``The community has made sacrifices, and it's time the city should.''
Most residents seemed happy with the loose agreement.
``I'm satisfied with the meeting - no houses will be taken away,'' said Dicie Harris, president of the Lamberts Point Homeowners Outreach League.
``At least we've narrowed it down some, but I think we could have gotten more done if we hadn't had so much interruption,'' resident William Victor Bates said.
But not everyone was pleased.
``I think we should develop the community before the water plant comes in,'' one resident said. ``We have no parks or recreational places for our kids.''
City officials explained that they we're only getting input and trying to be ``good neighbors'' to the community. This was the fourth public meeting to discuss the project. Another meeting is scheduled for later this month.
Call 441-2674 for more information. by CNB