THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, February 7, 1997 TAG: 9702070536
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: By MAC DANIEL, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: 55 lines
Ever since it was abandoned by the Army in 1993, youths have been breaking into the South Norfolk Armory on Bainbridge Boulevard for sport.
The youngsters don't plunder or steal. They break in to play basketball on the regulation-sized court inside.
``I don't see any kind of illegal activity,'' said Sgt. 1st Class Edward Dzendzel, who watches over the property for the 229th Military Police Company. ``I just see the kids coming in here to play ball. But you can only play ball so long. Then they start to smash things.''
A bill navigating the General Assembly could return ownership of the large brick building to the city, which owned and shared the building with the Virginia National Guard before withdrawing its support in 1982.
The bill has passed the House and now goes to the Senate. There is also budget language to obtain the building on the Senate side, according to Anna D'Antonio, Chesapeake's legislative liaison.
The city could use the building, which is basically a large basketball court surrounded by offices, recreation rooms and kitchen space.
Facing one of the tightest budgets in 23 years, Chesapeake can't afford the cost of new buildings and is interested in the armory.
At least two departments - the fire department and parks and recreation - are interested in the property.
The South Norfolk Armory - also known as the Capt. Frederic E. Consolvo Jr. Memorial Armory after a native son who died in World War II - was one of six armories that closed as part of Defense Department restructuring. The men and women of the 229th relocated to the Norfolk Armory.
Deputy City Manager Clarence Cuffee said Thursday that the fire department is interested in the building as a training facility. Parks and recreation would like to use it for a number of purposes. The two departments could also share the building, he said.
Cuffee also said the community has wanted the building to be used as a small business incubator, a place where two or three start-up businesses could set up shop in an effort to revitalize the area.
Chesapeake and state officials recently had an appraisal done on the site. The cost of fixing up the building will be used in determining its future use.
Claire Askew, director of parks, recreation and building, said there is still a need for recreation in South Norfolk despite the presence of a community center there. ILLUSTRATION: BETH BERGMAN/The Virginian-Pilot
Sgt. 1st Class Edward Dzendzel walks through the empty South Norfolk
Armory in Chesapeake. There is a bill in the General Assembly that
would allow the city to acquire the property.
VP map
South Norfolk Armory