DATE: Wednesday, February 26, 1997          TAG: 9702260451

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B3   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY JON GLASS, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: NORFOLK                           LENGTH:   76 lines

BERKLEY RESIDENTS FEEL SHORTCHANGED BY COUNCIL VOTE NEIGHBORS WANT TO BE INCLUDED IN A PROJECT TO BENEFIT EAST OCEAN VIEW.

The needs of two neighborhoods trying to revive themselves clashed Tuesday as the City Council approved a plan to finance completion of the long-sought redevelopment of East Ocean View.

Also, council members battled over a blue-ribbon task force's report issued more than a year ago to recommend ways to improve the city's public housing communities.

On the East Ocean View project, the council voted 6-1, with Councilman Paul R. Riddick opposing, to authorize the issuance of about $24 million in ``Qualified Redevelopment Bonds'' over the next six years to finish buying and demolishing property in the approximately 100-acre project area. About $4 million of the bonds will be issued this spring.

Riddick and several citizens from the Berkley neighborhood, located in his Ward 4, argued unsuccessfully that Berkley should be included in the bond package. Berkley residents have landed city assistance to rehabilitate deteriorated housing but have been frustrated for more than 20 years in their effort to develop a shopping center.

During a public hearing before the council's vote, East Ocean View residents, speaking for civic leagues and other community groups, voiced overwhelming support of the city's plan to issue bonds and create a special financing district in East Ocean View.

Under the plan, taxes generated as a result of rising property values would be used to help pay off the bond debt.

``Everyone I know supports what you're doing in the East Ocean View area,'' said Del. Thelma Drake, R-Norfolk, who lives in the Bayfront community.

Barry Bishop, an East Ocean View resident and an executive with the Greater Norfolk Corp., called the Bayfront community a ``potential treasure chest for our city,'' and said its redevelopment would have ``far-reaching impact'' on the city's economy.

Plans call for building as many as 700 homes in the project area, the bulk of them single-family residences that would range from $100,000 to more than $300,000, city officials say.

Berkley residents, while saying they didn't oppose the city's efforts in East Ocean View, said they felt shortchanged.

``Berkley has been put on hold,'' said resident Matthew L. Austin. ``The city should finish one project before starting another one. I reject Berkley being treated like a stepchild.''

Riddick said of the bonds: ``I believe this same type of creative effort could have and should have been done in Berkley.''

Mayor Paul D. Fraim defended the city's efforts to revitalize East Ocean View, and added that the city has provided Berkley with an ``impressive amount'' of money. He did not provide any figures.

Of East Ocean View, Fraim said the city ``is trying to push a section of our city to its fullest potential.''

The council voted 6-1 to accept the public housing report, which had languished since being issued in January 1996 because of concerns voiced by council members Riddick and Herbert M. Collins Sr.

Riddick continued to oppose adoption of the report Tuesday and voted against accepting it.

Riddick contended that the council's acceptance of the task force's report ``would be the beginning of demolition of public housing as we know it today.''

Among its 67 recommendations, the task force said that public housing should be considered ``transitional'' and that efforts to help residents become self-sufficient were key. They also urged that public housing be more like private housing, with a diverse mix of income groups.

Other council members argued that there was no reason to delay approval of the report, saying Riddick was mistaken in thinking that the report was an effort to end public housing in Norfolk.

``The intent was to improve public housing, not eliminate it,'' Council member Mason C. Andrews said.

Riddick and council member W. Randy Wright had a brief, heated exchange after Wright accused Riddick of being ``divisive'' and an ``embarrassment.'' Riddick, who represents the majority of Norfolk's public housing residents, said he was looking out for his constituents and angrily warned Wright not to question his character in a council meeting. KEYWORDS: NORFOLK CITY COUNCIL REDEVELOPMENT EAST OCEAN VIEW

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