Norfolk Mayor Provides Development Updates

Per Inside Business, Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim recently gave members of the Downtown Norfolk Council an update regarding several projects downtown.

The Mayor said the Norfolk Consolidated Court Courthouse and the second phase will begin after the city moves Norfolk General District Court and Norfolk Circuit Court into the new building.  The old circuit court building will then be demolished (good call!).  Then the plan gets interesting as Main Street will be extended across St. Paul’s Boulevard through the court complex creating a four-way intersection at St. Paul's Boulevard and Main Street.

Regarding the Hilton hotel and conference center, the plans are underway with a groundbreaking expected in two months.  Fraim also mentioned that developer Bruce Thompson may kick in additional funds towards completing the project.

Waterside Live construction should begin within the next five months, according to Fraim.  Cordish Cos. is currently speaking to possible restaurants, while city council will consider a new sign overlay district for the venue within the next few months.

Finally, in light of the new Amtrak station opening, Fraim confirmed that the city is working with Amtrak and Norfolk Southern to start running train a little later making commutes more convenient for travelers.