[{"_1":2,"_94":-5,"_95":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6046622,"mediaKeyId","3542158-d0cd7d4f85d1a9d033931188c913c71d","parentId",3542158,"title","Residents raise displacement concerns as Norfolk sells multiple Reservoir Avenue parcels","audioSeconds",62,"startMs",956025,"endMs",1018090,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3542158-d0cd7d4f85d1a9d033931188c913c71d&start=956&end=1018","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3542158-d0cd7d4f85d1a9d033931188c913c71d/thumbnail_956025.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6046622/Norfolk/Norfolk-County/Virginia/Residents-raise-displacement-concerns-as-Norfolk-sells-multiple-Reservoir-Avenue-parcels","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6046622-a8a1b1c8f5a4601d3367e958cf8a8d97/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179395&Signature=UEKrFF2rv8Tuem8iWJewNZ0TMtmXBI3es4CKawmyW4KocCa64kE9iwHMU0rXyvh4W8iYB4C34dciN0inBKFg3QgHczfqMeiSmQWRMUIZujxTkygQgw6SqNCtQlPHT1MrjrZJ8UgO3ZreOgQOI~HStUi7ZjEnkTQTlSEp7hUKCiAusQoO56hyHgjTH1fhI2VUelrF73V1jqEiJVynL6x4hHT2DbcxPuF6r-5BTn~dVdPOpkIHRoGiEXkY1BFDwmQOFxHy3LoL8ZBQoniwXKEP5IV8ljasQart03gX8A9N877JmKf1DuOUW~vMN3icytt5KrkELf5N5GU9DNW1jnjCmQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Norfolk","date","2025-04-08T00:00:00Z","article","The Norfolk City Council on March 1 authorized the sale of multiple parcels from the city's online real estate auction, including 1311 and 1313 Reservoir Avenue, while some residents urged the council to consider displacement risks for long-time neighborhood households.

Monet Johnson spoke during Public Hearing 3 about 1311 Reservoir Avenue and described personal connections to the neighborhood. \"I'm watching the neighborhood change vastly,\" Johnson said. She said her grandmother still lives on Reservoir Avenue and expressed concern about rising property taxes and repairs such as streetlights that she said are slow to come.

\"It means a lot to me. I don't want it to change so much that it's unrecognizable because the people who are from there and stay there can't afford to do so anymore,\" Johnson said (public comment record).

Council approved the ordinance to sell 1311 Reservoir Avenue to Roland Investments LLC and 1313 Reservoir Avenue to Around Town LLC and authorized modification or release of certain protective and restrictive covenants associated with those parcels. The council also approved the sale of 2334 Burrard Avenue to Kaye Contractors Inc.; two other auction items (including 1530 Dungey Street and 851 Johnson Avenue) were continued generally.

Why it matters

Public hearings on property conveyances allow residents to raise neighborhood impacts before a sale is finalized. Monet Johnson's comments highlight common community concerns tied to auctioned land: rising property values, possible tax pressure on long-term residents, and the visible effects of new development.

What the council did and next steps

- The council adopted ordinances authorizing conveyances of 1311 Reservoir Avenue to Roland Investments LLC and 1313 Reservoir Avenue to Around Town LLC and authorized modifications or releases of associated covenants where appropriate.

- The sales will proceed to deed execution and any covenant modifications as permitted by the approved ordinances; real estate staff will handle closing steps.

- Two auctioned parcels were continued generally for additional consideration.

Residents seeking mitigation or additional neighborhood protections should monitor Real Estate Division follow-up materials and council staff reports for any community-benefit provisions or covenant language changes tied to the sales.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Norfolk City Council Formal Session - April 8, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At public hearings, council authorized sales of several auctioned parcels including 1311 and 1313 Reservoir Avenue. A longtime neighborhood resident warned council members about rising property values and potential displacement of long-term residents.","taxTitle","Norfolk, Norfolk County, Virginia","taxId",4671,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6046628,"East Side residents press council for $70 million rec center parity and pool design details",939,266560,1206120,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3542158-d0cd7d4f85d1a9d033931188c913c71d&start=266&end=1206","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3542158-d0cd7d4f85d1a9d033931188c913c71d/thumbnail_266560.jpg","/articles/6046628/Norfolk/Norfolk-County/Virginia/East-Side-residents-press-council-for-70-million-rec-center-parity-and-pool-design-details","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6046628-0a2c9b97305494717be56dc77dee33b8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179395&Signature=YduV3wsk2pkkpy8GsHTiYF5J5V4ObMC-pZSt0cyIDybrxnKyZWPp37X8uFTO9GZxQDJhWqdZ8HAH3IjqBAGQkQ4B055HpVtICIEI3gHpTeU2aATdByACCzGk3qQYTGX74Az0SB06fh5WKblm9q4SOnN9XDsPF~YgjVwZj~sWYusEpUp-8mXwRHHuIoPAsorgRYsE1Y3CEiKJ8bGyEAbwhJVxrYFuizv04aiXfrBVJBefjZxsTI4eZWnfVPnuCo8okk71I5APzXCvEEQt-Puc2iTL16fldQOhMC0zKQHEcLRmH6tzJc0mXi8rKqolWmgN1siepiV2iSCpJ4TzCruxtA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Norfolk residents urged the city on March 1 to ensure an East Side recreation and library facility receives funding and swim-pool design features that improve access for children and beginners.

Liz Albert, a member of the River Forest Shores Wayside Manor Easton Place Civic League and the Equity for the Eastside Coalition, told the council the project listed as R7 is the Norfolk Fitness and Wellness Center and said it \"was fully funded for just under $70,000,000 2 years ago in the FY2024 budget.\" She said capital spending in the city appears inequitable and asked the council to add at least $70,000,000 to the FY2026 budget for an East Side rec center so the East Side receives \"the same consideration given to the West Side in all matters.\"

\"We demand the East Side of the city be treated with the same consideration given to the West Side in all matters,\" Albert said (public comment record).

Council later adopted R7, a comprehensive agreement with MEB General Contractors Inc. for design and construction of the combined recreation/library facility (the Norfolk Fitness and Wellness Center), moving the project forward under the Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act.

Community pool design also surfaced in public comment. Lauren A. Smith, who identified herself as a former swim instructor at multiple city pools, urged the council and project designers to include steps in the next pool the city builds on the East Side to aid swim instruction and beginner swimmers.

\"The beauty of the steps'design influences life a lot more than we know,\" Smith said, describing how shallow steps allow instructors to teach multiple children in sequence and help beginners progress into deeper water. \"So next pool out in the East Side, please put steps in it.\"

Why it matters

The council's adoption of the R7 agreement advances design and construction under a public'private framework; public comment shows residents expect the city to match prior West Side investments and to specify features that affect safety and access, such as pool entry design. A public commenter also pointed to an analysis that, in her view, allocated 45% of named CIP projects to downtown and the West Side and only 7% to the rest of the city.

What the council did and next steps

- R7 was adopted at the March 1 meeting, authorizing the comprehensive PPEA agreement with MEB General Contractors Inc. The council dispensed with the charter requirement for second reading and approved the ordinance.

- Project financing and detailed amenity-level designs were not amended on the council floor; the council's action approves the agreement framework and directs staff to finalize contract documents.

- Residents and community groups seeking design changes or equity assurances should watch follow-up staff reports and design reviews; the Parks and Recreation department and city staff will administer next steps for contract execution and design coordination.

Speakers at the meeting emphasized equity in capital spending and practical design choices that make pools more teachable and accessible to beginners.","During public comment, East Side residents urged the council to match West Side recreation investments by adding roughly $70 million to the FY2026 budget for an East Side rec center and asked that the new pool be designed with steps to improve learn-to-swim access.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":90,"_53":91,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":92,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":93,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6046633,"Norfolk council adopts rec center contract, grants and multiple property sales; several items continued","/articles/6046633/Norfolk/Norfolk-County/Virginia/Norfolk-council-adopts-rec-center-contract-grants-and-multiple-property-sales-several-items-continued","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6046633-4c6c37974076c2a4e14c260764105e2d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179395&Signature=aSZsjk56qds7CHBxI4292VQpU9IIbAcVM3pmJ8zu32xEHcNhJt1ebBvbdQe8RrXGVapA6jUoLQyNR6GxmkWRGdnxLv2Paxq5y2FOO6itPEh15qnah6xc6-~Nbk71yi92toPsFRHRLYHHJ506Q3ctmM~4dyxldjvovfckDPvb~oGIFa-ZpNLzwyClmzkr4LC1521EeTUXyOrdOVvhvn7mcGyTpZTdvJEsZxNIC7OH6HMYTZnvoDCtjItJikSMPB1UakmsvjP0gUAYzID8as0xdtXGzor-Jl8sDnsIX1S8S~Vnw~yyLUWYXVslGlSJW4k5259Fae6xyhAyhd0JH11tDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Norfolk City Council voted on a block of ordinances, leases and property transactions on March 1, approving a public'private agreement for a combined recreation and library facility, authorizing multiple property sales from the city's online auction, accepting several grants and approving short-term leases and transfers.

The package included a comprehensive agreement under the Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act with MEB General Contractors Inc. for final design and construction of the Norfolk Fitness and Wellness Center, adoption of grants including a $300,000 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act pass-through from the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission for the Meadowlake Improvements Project, and approval of a lease with the Norfolk Senior Center (doing business as Prime Plus) for space at the Titus Town Recreation Center.

Votes at a glance

- R7: Comprehensive agreement with MEB General Contractors Inc. under the Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act for final design and construction of the combined recreation/library facility (Norfolk Fitness and Wellness Center). Outcome: adopted (council recorded individual ayes; no mover/second specified).

- R6: Accept and appropriate up to $300,000 from the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission via the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for the Meadowlake Improvements Project. Outcome: adopted.

- R1: Accept and appropriate up to $5,000 from the Knollful Community Trust for peer recovery services clothing and miscellaneous items. Outcome: adopted.

- Lease (Prime Plus / Norfolk Senior Center): Approve lease terms for Prime Plus at Titus Town Recreation Center, 7545 Devon Street. Outcome: adopted.

- Part 2: Approve lease termination agreement with Urban League of Hampton Roads, Inc. for 7300 Newport Avenue and authorize $67,500 in termination fees. Outcome: adopted (Councilmember Clanton recorded an abstention).

- Property sales (ordinances authorizing sale and conveyance perthe city's online real estate auction): 1311 Reservoir Avenue to Roland Investments LLC; 1313 Reservoir Avenue to Around Town LLC; 2334 Burrard Avenue to Kaye Contractors Inc.; 1530 Dungey Street and 851 Johnson Avenue were continued generally. Outcome: sales at 1311 and 1313 and 2334 Burrard adopted; 1530 Dungey Street and 851 Johnson Avenue continued.

- C1: Conditional use permit approving operation of a banquet hall with live entertainment and on-premises alcohol at 255 Granby Street. Outcome: adopted.

- C4: Conditional use permit approving a short-term/vacation rental at 1920 Northview Avenue. Outcome: adopted.

- R3: Transfer of Hampton Roads Sanitation District sewer improvements along Bowling Avenue to the City of Norfolk and authorization for the city manager to execute a transfer agreement. Outcome: adopted.

- R4: Short-term lease authorizing Virginia Arts Festival Inc. to use city-owned green space at 451 Bank Street for the 2025 season. Outcome: adopted.

- Resolution appointing and reappointing 35 members to various commissions, boards, authorities and committees. Outcome: adopted.

Continuances and other procedural actions

- R5 and Public Hearing 7 (parcels referenced during the meeting) were continued generally.

Council members recorded individual votes by voice; where a member stated a conflict or affiliation, that member abstained as noted above. The ordinances were dispensed from the City Charter requirement to have ordinances read twice before adoption, as the council moved the items through the consent and regular agenda.

Several of these approvals implement previously announced budgets or grant awards; others authorize the city manager to execute agreements or modify protective covenants associated with auctioned parcels.

Key details and next steps

- The R7 contract for the Norfolk Fitness and Wellness Center advances final design and construction under a public-private framework; the council adopted the comprehensive agreement but did not amend or restate the full project financing in the meeting record.

- The Meadowlake Improvements Project funding is contingent on receipt of the IIJA funds through the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission and will be added to the FY2025 grants plan if received.

- Sales authorized by ordinance allow the mayor and city manager to execute conveyances and, where applicable, to modify or release protective and restrictive covenants tied to the parcels sold.

- Items continued will return to council for further consideration at a later date.

Council action records and ordinance texts will be reflected in the adopted minutes and ordinance packets on the city's website.","The Norfolk City Council on March 1 approved a package of ordinances including a public-private agreement for a combined recreation/library facility, multiple property sales from the city's online auction, grant acceptances and leases. Several items were continued for later consideration.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents raise displacement concerns as Norfolk sells multiple Reservoir Avenue parcels

East Side residents press council for $70 million rec center parity and pool design details

Norfolk council adopts rec center contract, grants and multiple property sales; several items continued