THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 13, 1995 TAG: 9507110138
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 05 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SCOTT McCASKEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 65 lines
The site was once a decaying tract of 192 low-income rental units. Today it has been reduced to scattered rubble. But the future could bring single-family homes or commercial development.
Formerly known as Marshall Manor, the 13 3/4-acre parcel on East Princess Anne Road, one block west of Roberts Park Elementary School, is in a state of transformation. The Norfolk Redevelopment & Housing Authority bought the property two months ago from Maypole Associates for $1.3 million. The demolition is nearly done.
``Everything should be fully down by mid- to late July,'' said Andrea Bear, NRHA's assistant executive director for administrative operations.
Built in 1950, the one-story, flat-top residences had fallen into disrepair and had a high vacancy rate, Bear said. After demolition the NRHA and the city's Department of Development will begin studying what to do with the land. Residential, light commercial or light industrial development all are being considered.
``We want to come up with a proposal that is compatible with the city and the neighborhood,'' Bear said. ``This is what old cities have to do sometimes. Norfolk isn't graced with a whole lot of virgin land. This is an example of recycling land to keep a city viable.''
Although the two groups will conduct the site study and make recommendations, any final decision will lie with City Council, said Bob Smithwick, director of the Department of Development.
Vice Mayor Paul R. Riddick feels strongly that the property should be residential.
``The only thing acceptable to the black community is totally residential,'' Riddick said. ``The land is adjacent to Stonebridge Crossing, Middle Towne Arch and Haynes Tract. In order to preserve the identity of those neighborhoods and keep home values on the increase, we must make sure no commercial activity goes in there.
``This is the oldest eyesore in the black community, and it's finally being demolished. There's no way anything should go in there but residential.''
Shirley Freeman, president of the Roberts Village and Moton Circle Residents Management Corp., made up of citizens from nearby public housing projects, is glad the blight is being torn down but is concerned about housing in the future.
``The crime was terrible there, and I'm happy to see the place gone, but people have to have somewhere to live,'' Freeman said. ``... they need to put up affordable housing, not any high-priced housing, but places people can afford. We also need a full-sized grocery store, not the corner markets that charge the world.''
Bear said that there was no need to relocate the few tenants left in Marshall Manor because Maypole had given plenty of notice before the site was purchased.
The NRHA and Department of Development soon will begin talking to residents, business owners and potential developers. Recommendations are expected to be presented to City Council in late summer or early fall. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo RICHARD L. DUNSTON
What was known as Marshall Manor is being reduced to rubble, with
new construction soon on the way.
by CNB