THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, January 22, 1997 TAG: 9701220002
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Opinion
SOURCE: By JAMES E. GEHMAN
LENGTH: 58 lines
It took about 20 years for the Granby District (Main Street to Virginia Beach Boulevard) to become a dysfunctional part of our city. It has taken another 20 years of planning and prodding to get us to this point. ``This point'' is the threshold of rebirth of that part of Norfolk richest in architectural heritage and in economic potential. Take a good look at the way it is today so that you will be able to describe the transition to your children, visitors and newcomers. That change has, in fact, already begun and is now accelerating.
Visitors to this or any other city inevitably want to see the old, more-interesting part of the city. We are fascinated by the unique buildings, the scale of the streetscape and the density of human activity that is lost in suburban development. This urban fabric has been so thoroughly eclipsed by suburban development that it has become a curiosity. It is characterized by sidewalks close enough to buildings to look inside, streets that have such limited and slow traffic that one does not hesitate to cross, buildings that reflect a level of detail and craftsmanship that, some believe, has been lost. The Granby District has all of these attractive features, sometimes under the veil of a deteriorating 1960s style aluminum storefront.
The Granby District has architectural ``anchors'' including the Custom House, the Southern bank (soon to be home to the prestigious Virginia Club), the Royster Building (one of Norfolk's first high-rise buildings), the Martin Building (formerly Smith & Welton), the Commodore Maury Hotel (now the Ramada) and the Hoffman Federal Courthouse. The less-than-one-mile walk is worth the trip if only to see these major structures. They are strong statements to Norfolk's architectural heritage. While on this journey, look above the trashy little storefronts and discover the classic elegance in the second and third floors above. Squint your eyes and try to visualize what it might look like if the tacky storefronts were simply removed. If you can do it, maybe you should have been an architect!
To steer and encourage this rebirth, a group called the Granby District Initiative has been working hard to develop strategies to assure success. The group is made up of community volunteers, property owners, officials of the city, Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority and the Downtown Norfolk Council. The energy and commitment this group has brought to bear on the issues has developed a sense of promise among property and business owners in the district. Suddenly, after many years, renewal seems not only possible but inevitable.
The investments made by Tidewater Community College, the coming investments by Taubman Company (MacArthur Center), the federal government (expansion of the Hoffman Courthouse), the arena and the possibility of light rail and trolley have spun off immense interest by local and distant investors and developers. Several projects, including a hotel, more housing and others, are soon to be announced.
Difficult issues remain to be resolved, and much hard work will be required. However, the positive impact will be felt throughout Norfolk and the region. A thriving urban core is a direct benefit to all of us, from Isle of Wight to the Oceanfront.
KEYWORDS: ANOTHER VIEW