DATE: Friday, March 14, 1997                TAG: 9703140606

SECTION: BUSINESS                PAGE: D1   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY JON GLASS,STAFF WRITER

DATELINE: NORFOLK                           LENGTH:   66 lines

MAKING THE MOST OF THE MALL URBAN DESIGN CONSULTANT: TO SPREAD THE WEALTH FROM MALL TO DOWNTOWN, NORFOLK MUST ACT NOW.

There's no doubt that the MacArthur Center will flourish when it opens in spring 1999, urban design consultant Raymond L. Gindroz told a gathering of the city's corporate and business leaders Thursday.

The only question, he said, is whether the rest of downtown Norfolk will be prepared to share in the success.

``I think action has to be taken immediately,'' Gindroz, a Pittsburgh architect involved in Norfolk's revitalization efforts since the mid-1980s, said in a later interview. ``What's needed is for property owners and developers to start responding to this opportunity. It's certainly doable.''

Gindroz, brought to town by the Downtown Norfolk Council, outlined what needs to happen between now and the turn of the century to ensure that all of downtown benefits from the mall traffic.

While Norfolk government agencies would play a significant role - to invest in street, sidewalk and infrastructure improvements - the private sector is expected to carry the ball, Gindroz said.

There aren't any surprises, but some twists on familiar themes. In some cases, action is occurring.

Key elements include:

Revitalizing the Granby Street business corridor by improving store facades, converting unoccupied upper stories into residences and filling empty storefronts. New businesses have opened, and a coalition of private and public partners has drawn up a plan of action.

Creating a safer, more secure environment by providing more housing downtown, particularly above stores. In January, a Connecticut developer, Arthur Collins, announced plans to buy a four-block section along Duke Street in the Freemason District for a $22 million mix of townhouses, apartments and stores.

Establishing a downtown walking trail, taking advantage of the growing market for ``heritage'' tourism. Officials are designing the ``Cannonball Trail'' to link historic sites in downtown Norfolk and Portsmouth.

Putting into place a reliable downtown transit system - whether by bus or trolleys - to link parking garages with cultural and other attractions.

Giving a face lift to the Brambleton Avenue corridor, turning it into a ``grand entry.'' ``A backdoor is how it appears now,'' Gindroz said.

The steps are part of Norfolk's Downtown 2000 plan, a blueprint drawn up nearly a decade ago that is outdated because of rapid and unanticipated changes.

The update, launched nearly two years ago, will be finished within few months, said Cathy Coleman, executive director of the Downtown Norfolk Council.

Gindroz said the goal is to create a ``24-hour'' downtown, a vital place where people live, work, shop and play.

``Another definition of a real downtown is you can smell coffee on the street in the morning,'' he said.

On the 200 block of Granby Street, workers Thursday were making interior renovations inside a vacant store where a new business will soon open. It's name: Aroma Coffee House Inc. ILLUSTRATION: Artist's rendering of planned MacArthur Center.

Color photos

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