Sale Of Land For Ghent Station Development Approved

The week, Norfolk City Council approved the sale of a stretch of land commonly known as "Ghent Station" along 21st St. in Ghent to 21st Street Partners that would be developed into a mixed use complex.  The project would include a Fresh Market, retail, and a two-story medical office building supporting Bon Secours.

Future site of Ghent Station along 21st St.

Discussion of the sale intensified during the council meeting as some members questioned the design (which has yet to be determined) and whether Norfolk sold the property for too little. Mayor Paul Fraim, however, stressed how the current state of the property allowed for a haven of suspicious activity which ultimately brings down the value of that area.  He said in the long-run the city would get a decent return on investment.

"Sometimes we sell property for less than it's worth in order to encourage development," he said. "Sometimes when we're buying property, we pay too much for it in order to assemble property to make things happen. We may be doing that tonight."

The project is expected to bring up to 130 jobs to the area.  Construction could begin next summer and last about a year. To view the more details of the project, including the conceptual drawing, click here.