Waterside Negotiations Continue

The Pilot reports that negotiations between Norfolk and The Cordish Co. are progressing very slowly.  This has prompted Waterside Live's #1 Fan, Vice Mayor Anthony Burfoot, to challenge City Manager, Marcus Jones, in getting a deal done as soon as possible.

Jones and Mayor Paul Fraim have refused to comment on negotations (going on behind closed doors)only saying that there would be none that wouldn't be able to be resolved.  Burfoot doesn't seem so optimistic.

"We've found a way to stretch this thing out almost another year," he said. "I'm just glad that the Cordish group is still at the table."

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."

Burfoot would like an agreement made by Thanksgiving.  Once there is an agreement, it would take about 18 months to plan and renovate the building.

For more information on Waterside, visit the city's site on Waterside updates.