New Bus Transfer Station To Downtown Plaza

This one qualifies as a pretty big fail for Norfolk.  A couple of weeks ago, City Council members couldn't agree on a location bring the new HRT Bus Transfer Station.  It came down to Harbor Park as part of the planned Multi-Modal Transportation Center and Downtown Plaza in St. Paul's quadrant, where the old ABC store stands.  According to the Pilot, Downtown Plaza got the nod.

CC Image courtesy of Norfolk Department of Development

The decision has been highly criticized and rightfully so due to two aspects.  First, it will create havoc downtown during rush hour.  And this traffic won't just be on St. Paul's Blvd.  Where will typical St. Paul's traffic go to get on and off the interstate?  It'll move to Waterside Dr. and will basically clog both major downtown arteries.

Next, we've all been hearing about the new Multi-Modal Transportation Center. The center would serve the Tide, passenger rail (possibly high-speed rail), buses and ferries coming up and down the Elizabeth River. It would also be very accessible via bike and is just off of Interstate 264. The city is currently constructing a passenger rail station to serve Amtrak. Why would the city not place the bus transfer station along with all of the others modes of transportation? 

Those who supported the downtown plaza plan said it was because it would cost $20 million instead of $5 million.  How can it possibly cost that much?!  There's nothing on that land right now so you wouldn't have to move anything.  All you'd have to do is connect the Harbor Park parking lot to a couple a of the surrounding roads.  How can that cost so much more to do that?

Either way, nothing anyone can do about it now.  Another senseless decision by Norfolk to rush something.  Anyhow, for more info on the plan, click here.