Mayor Fraim, Others Give Waterside Point Of View

With the exception of Vice Mayor Anthony Burfoot, Norfolk City Council has been relatively quiet regarding Waterside and the different proposals.  An article in the Pilot today finally gives a view of what the Mayor and other Council members are thinking.  And it's looking like they're not quite as eager as Burfoot to close on Cordish.

Cordish Cos. has proposed Waterside Live, which is basically Waterside Part 2.  The plan is to bring in 13 chain restaurants with a small market place that would feature local flavor.  City Manager Marcus Jones recommended this proposal to the Council last month.

Since then, Harvey Lindsay, the other company vying for Waterside, has continued to modify their plans based off of feedback from the city and consultants.  The plan has scaled back considerably and now calls for a 300-room Hotel, a large office building downtown but more of a focus on Town Point Park, which now includes three restaurants surrounding the park, in addition to the conference center.

On June 5, City Council will hold an open working session focused on Waterside.  Cordish Cos. will be on hand to talk specifics and answer any questions the council might have.

According to the Pilot, it seems City Council is keeping an open mind and will continue to consider all options.

"Fraim said Waterside's future is too important to rush. The June discussion should alleviate any concerns that council members have, he said. Like others on the council, the mayor intends to have a say in what Cordish would do with the property. 'I'm going to be very protective of what happens with that space,' he said."

Fraim and Council members Theresa Whibley and Tommy Smigiel have also agree with Jones that the 13 restaurants under Cordish should initially be scaled back and some locally owned restaurants should be thrown in.

The article states that nobody knows where HL stands right now but Whimbley points out that a firm decision has still not been made.

"I think anybody who wants to talk to us can have an 'active dialogue,' " she said.