City Manager Recommends...the Cordish Prop for Waterside :(

This wasn't really a surprise.  To think that the city would do something out of the norm and actually take a risk was just wishful thinking.  The Pilot reports, at Tuesday's City Council meeting, City Manager Marcus Jones recommended the Cordish proposal for Waterside to the council.

The $30 million plan (mostly privately-funded) involves using the existing structure and knocking out portions the front and rear walls and replacing them with glass.  This would open up a view of the Elizabeth River from Waterside Drive.  The entertainment venue would include up to 13 new chain restaurants, a marketplace selling items unique to the Hampton Roads area, and an entertainment venue. The location would be reopened as "Waterside Live.""

Jones said he went with this plan because it didn't involve completely razing the Norfolk landmark, there was no "up-front capital investment," and it would increase the number of restaurant and bar options downtown.

There are several issues that Jones notes he'd like to negotiate with Cordish, including the need to incorporate a local flavor into the development, enhance the marina, and create a better flow between Waterside and Town Point Park.

Financially, Cordish would privately pay for the project, but would ask for performance-based grants or tax breaks on admission, food and beverage sales.  They would enter into a long-term lease of 50 years.

The losing proposal by Harvey Lindsay included a 190,000-square-foot convention center on the Waterside site with an updated marina, featuring an upscale seafood restaurant.  The convention center would be connected to the heart of downtown via an elevated walkway called "The Levels." It called for a new office tower and two new hotels downtown.  But in the end it seems that the $200 million price tag was too steep.

The recommendation doesn't make the project a done deal, however. Some council members aren't ready to dismiss the Harvey Lindsay proposal.  City council members will continue to discuss Waterside throughout the summer before the date for a final vote is set.  That could be months away.

My thoughts on this have been mixed.  I mostly supported the Harvey Lindsay prop since it was a game-changer but I'm trying to see the silver lining in this.  Here are some thoughts:

• The Downtown Norfolk waterfront currently has nothing to offer anyone unless there is a Tides Game or an event at Town Point Park.  It is the most under-utilized real estate in town.
• We need some restaurants and bars the feature the Elizabeth Rive as a backdrop.  There's nothing better than sharing a pitcher of beer with someone right on the water.
• It will be interesting to see what they come up with for this "local market" that's supposed to be featured.
• It has been mentioned many times, City Manager Jones' ultimate goal is to develop the entire area from Nauticus all the way to Harbor Park.  Maybe this project spurs that development.
• What kind of chain restaurants are we talking about here?  Hopefully, more in line with Virginia Beach Town Center's Yard House or Gordon Biersch and not places like Joe's Crab Shack and Hooters.
• They've got to find a smooth way to connect Waterside with Granby St.
• I hope and pray that Harvey Lindsay doesn't give up on Norfolk.  They had some awesome ideas in their proposal, but I think the greatest feature was to build a new office tower as the headquarters for Fortune 500 Company Clark Nexsen.  A building full of architects right downtown? Think of all the creative jobs that could bring to the area.

Here's hoping this all works out and makes Downtown Norfolk (not just Waterside) a great destination. For more information on Waterside, visit the city's site on Waterside updates.