DATE: Tuesday, October 14, 1997             TAG: 9710140247

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B5   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY JON GLASS, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: NORFOLK                           LENGTH:   83 lines

NORFOLK SET TO VOTE ON BANISHING SKATERS FROM SOME AREAS

Some downtown sidewalks could be placed off-limits to skateboarders and inline and roller skaters because of concerns over safety and property damage.

The City Council is scheduled to vote today on an ordinance that would enable the city to ban those popular activities from any sidewalk in Norfolk if skaters run afoul of pedestrians or create other problems.

Skateboarding youths have posed a dilemma for cities across the region and nation.

In May, the Virginia Beach City Council banned skateboarding on the Oceanfront east of Pacific Avenue. Officials said they were spending $3,000 to $5,000 a month on repairs to benches, curbs and other structures damaged by skateboarders.

Norfolk officials say their ordinance is intended, at this point, only to address concerns raised by merchants and police over youthful skateboarders and skaters in certain areas of downtown.

``Some areas are just too risky for this kind of activity,'' said Sterling Cheatham, an assistant city manager. ``We won't be posting the whole city with `no skateboarding' signs.''

The Downtown Norfolk Council, a group representing business and professional interests, has pushed for restrictions, saying the inappropriate use of skateboards and skates downtown has threatened the safety of pedestrians and created damage to buildings, steps and other property.

Nelson R. Arnold, senior vice president of Life Savings Bank on Main Street, wrote to Norfolk's police chief Sept. 22 asking for help to protect the bank, constructed in 1899 and one of the oldest historic buildings downtown.

``The skateboarders ride up on the front of our building, leaving black marks on our stone which have been impossible to remove with repeated steam cleanings,'' Arnold wrote. ``We have politely asked them to discontinue, but they ignore our request.''

Arnold said skateboarders congregate in front of the historic Customs House Building next door at 8 to 9 p.m. on some days. In a maneuver called ``grinding,'' skateboarders jump up on curbs, steps and rails and slide down them, which can chip or break concrete.

Other merchants said they worried about skateboarders hurting themselves or pedestrians.

``It's a big problem,'' said John Dunlap, manager of The Quality Shop at the corner of Bank and Plume streets. ``The skateboards go flying.''

Sally Reed, director of the city's library system, said she worries for the safety of skateboarders, who, despite posted signs, dart down the driveway at Kirn Memorial Library on City Hall Avenue and into the street.

``Kids are pretty vulnerable on skateboards, more than I think they realize, and so are other people on the walkway,'' said Reed, who added that she has two sons who skateboard.

The city banned skateboarding on streets about a decade ago after a child was hit and killed by an automobile in the Ghent neighborhood, officials said.

The Norfolk council, which has not planned a public hearing on the proposal, will take up the issue at its formal meeting at 2:30 p.m. in City Hall.

With the revitalization of downtown in full swing, council members say, the issue needs to be addressed now because the number of shoppers and vehicles is expected to increase.

``Hopefully, we can get ahead of the curve,'' said Mayor Paul D. Fraim.

Council members say they recognize a need to create spaces for skateboarders and skaters but that downtown isn't the right place.

Councilwoman Daun S. Hester, a city school administrator, said she plans to support the ordinance permitting restrictions but has already begun meeting with some of the youthful skateboarders to talk about alternative locations.

``We're trying to keep downtown attractive and safe for our customers and visitors, but we're also going to try to find some areas in the city where kids can go to roller-blade and skateboard and be safe and do some constructive activities,'' Hester said.

Chesapeake already has a skateboarding park, and the Beach is studying the idea of creating one.

At today's meeting, the Norfolk council also is scheduled to discuss the city's long-range goals for recreation. Currently, the city has an outdoor skating facility at its Tarrallton Recreation Center, but it does not have any skateboarding ramps or parks. A ramp at Northside Park was dismantled several years ago for lack of use, officials said.

Skateboarders continue to frequent downtown's waterfront at Waterside and Town Point Park, despite a city ban that has been in effect there for about five years. Police periodically issue warnings and run skaters off, officials said. Under the ordinance the council will discuss today, violators could be fined from $25 to $100. KEYWORDS: SKATEBOARD BAN

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