THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, August 12, 1996 TAG: 9608100007
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A7 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Opinion
SOURCE: George Hebert
LENGTH: 50 lines
Waterside, on Norfolk's lively downtown riverfront, has proved a remarkable asset, both to the communities centered here and to individuals, like my wife and me, who are frequently drawn there by special events or the simple pleasures in between. But the generally robust operation needs to be monitored for glitches that can detract.
Over the years since the James Rouse festival-market idea transformed a derelict stretch of the Elizabeth River's historic north bank into something bright and different, there have been problems to work out or around. Occasional rearrangements have changed things. But only subtly. By and large the chief original purposes of the undertaking are still being festively served, certainly from this patron's point of view. There is plenty of enjoyable music and entertainment and food and opportunities for brief adventures (as in the various sailings and boarding of visiting vessels).
It would be better if the parking were cheaper or free (it's a pity a free-parking basis couldn't have been folded into the plans for that companion downtown enterprise, the imminent MacArthur Center). But in other ways, the ratio of cost to enjoyment has turned out to be reasonable, and there's always the marvelous, free-to-observe river life just alongside.
But in noting all this - and acknowledging such significant improvements as the sturdy more-attractive table-and-chair set-up introduced in the food court awhile back - a fair assessment just now ought to point out one problem of simple upkeep that needs particular attention.
The elevators in the adjacent ramp garage have acquired a worn and battered look very much out of keeping with the rest of the operation.
In one of the lifts, the floor number has disappeared from the most-used button - the one that takes visitors to the overhead walkway connecting the garage with Waterside itself. In the companion elevator, a couple of the glass push buttons are cracked. In both, once-attractive and helpful wall boards offering directional diagrams have been so badly marred by vandal hands that they now bewilder instead of inform.
True enough, the elevators get an awful lot of use and are bound to show wear and tear over time. True, too, they still perform their basic passenger-carrying function quite well. But in their recent condition, they have been an unfortunately shabby introduction to the community's waterfront jewel. Keeping them in as nearly pristine condition as possible would make much sense.
As they say, little things sometimes mean a lot. This is one of those situations. MEMO: Mr. Hebert, a former editor, lives in Norfolk. by CNB