THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 4, 1996 TAG: 9608020200
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TERRI WILLIAMS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: 71 lines
On Wednesday, city officials will break ground for what they see as a major part of downtown's future - a $14-million courts complex.
``This is a historical moment in the city, and we feel that this will be a major element in the rebirth of downtown Suffolk,'' said William E. Harrell, assistant city manager for development.
The ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. at the intersection of North Main and Bank streets. Mayor Thomas G. Underwood, City Council members, former Gov. Mills E. Godwin Jr. and business and civic leaders will be among special guests. The event is open to the public.
Pre-construction has begun. The entire process should take 18 months. After it's completed, the Main Street corridor will have a new look.
The L-shaped, 95,000-square-foot building will be two stories high along Main Street to be consistent with adjoining buildings. The Bank Street wing will be three stories high.
The exterior will feature brick and pre-cast concrete compatible with existing architecture along Main Street. About 350 parking spaces will adjoin the new building.
The public entrance will be at the corner at Main and Bank. Disabled parking and a drop-off area will be available on Bank Street, near the public entrance. Streetside walkways and a landscaped pedestrian passage way will link parking areas with Main Street.
The idea for a new complex came several years ago, when city officials decided the city had outgrown its Circuit and General Courts buildings, said Dinesh V. Tiwari, director of parks and recreation. Tiwari's department has spearheaded the court effort. Security for judges and other courts staffers was also a big issue.
Many sites were suggested, but officials opted for the downtown site to stimulate growth and unite court services.
``It brings all the courts under one roof,'' said Vice Mayor Charles F. Brown. ``It will start to rehab and rejuvenate areas downtown.''
But some downtown merchants, many of whom are members of the Downtown Suffolk Association, said the city has taken the wrong approach. They applaud efforts to build the complex downtown, but they say the city should have considered a design more in keeping with downtown.
Eugene Denison, whose shop is on Main Street, said the city should have considered building a parking garage and set back the complex 15 feet from Main to make the design more pedestrian friendly and compatible to the area.
Denison and other members of the Downtown Board of Architectural Review recommended the setback, as well as adding more lighting for security purposes. City Council voted against the setback but accepted the proposal for more lighting.
However, Tiwari said city officials have tried working with the businesses. ``I think the courts committee and the City Council had considered both sides,'' said Tiwari of the Downtown Board's proposals. ``They made the decision to go along with a design that's consistent with the downtown streetscape.''
Some merchants also protested when city officials got rid of on-street parking along Main Street to make way for construction. The merchants contended that parking is their life blood for success.
William Beamon, a merchant whose business stands in the way of proposed parking for the complex, is also fighting the city to keep his record shop. Tiwari said litigation with Beamon won't interrupt construction.
Meanwhile, construction for the courts building will interrupt some parking downtown.
Last week, public parking areas off Bank Street and between Franklin and Commerce streets were closed. Existing parking off Commerce Street, behind Main Street businesses, will remain open. Nearby public parking lots at Cherry Street and Saratoga will also be open for the public. ILLUSTRATION: Drawing
An artist's rendering of the $14-million courts complex that will be
built in downtown Suffolk. by CNB