
DATE: Monday, August 18, 1997               TAG: 9708180081

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B4   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY MATTHEW DOLAN, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE                        LENGTH:   99 lines

SOUTH NORFOLK PLAN: NEW NAMES, NEW FUTURE

How'd you like to live in ``Chesapeake's Hometown''?

Or shop in trendy ``SoNo''?

These proposed nicknames for South Norfolk are the cutesy parts of a detailed revitalization report that will be presented to the City Council on Tuesday.

The report, compiled by the Technical Assistance Team of the Virginia Downtown Development Association and released this month, includes dozens of other specific recommendations for improving the borough's tax base, community organizations and aesthetic appeal.

``This report was recommended by a panel of experts, so I don't think there would be a political risk to fund these projects,'' said Leo Johns, president of the Greater South Norfolk Business Consortium.

Civic and business leaders in South Norfolk have been waiting for this state report for months. Many of them have now decided to push a borough-only tax as a way to fund the report's suggestions, including hiring a full-time South Norfolk revitalization point-person.

``I think one contact person could be a great idea and expedite the process,'' said Allen Glanville, owner of Glanville Iron Works, adding that he waited years to qualify for business incentives in the borough's Enterprise Zone.

Glanville said the trouble historically has been that ``South Norfolk has been ignored for 30 years, though that's changing.''

Johns and other civic leaders would like the new position to be independent of the city.

``I think they are a little worried about losing control, which wouldn't happen,'' Johns said. ``But I want to make sure that South Norfolk doesn't become the dumping ground for the city, keeping it low-income.''

But it's unclear whether the council will fund these efforts or even allow the new tax.

``I think we are going to go through as many recommendations as we can Tuesday and help turn those into priorities,'' said Clarence V. Cuffee, assistant city manager. ``Sure, and I'll offer my opinion as to what is workable.''

Cuffee added that the idea of a South Norfolk revitalization contact person was a good idea, although he was unsure ``how you actualize it financially'' and whether the person should be a city employee. ILLUSTRATION: STEVE EARLEY/File photo

A revitalization plan, to be presented to the Chesapeake City

Council on Tuesday, includes dozens of recommendations. ``I want to

make sure that South Norfolk doesn't become the dumping ground for

the city,'' said Leo Johns, president of the borough's business

group.

COUNCIL REVIEW

The City Council will review the South Norfolk revitalization report

at its work session at 5 p.m. Tuesday in the fourth-floor training

room in City Hall.

SELECTED SUGGESTIONS

Suggestions from the revitalization team's report that South

Norfolk may pursue: