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EDA outlines next steps from retreat: Crawford Bay, Lake District branding, RFPs and RAISE grant design work
Summary
The EDA reviewed retreat action items and reported progress: project committee appointments for Crawford Bay, a live RFP for a real-estate consultant, Lake District branding work, design steps for a federal RAISE grant and early coordination with transit and private stakeholders for waterfront redevelopment.
At its May 20 meeting the Portsmouth Economic Development Authority reviewed actions from a recent strategic retreat and outlined next steps for several major initiatives, including Crawford Bay waterfront redevelopment, the Lake District rebranding, a pending real-estate consultant RFP, and design work tied to a federal RAISE grant.
Crawford Bay: Staff reported that City Council appointed two members to the project committee for Crawford Bay — Mayor Glover and a council member (name not specified in the briefing). The EDA will coordinate meetings with the project committee, city attorneys and stakeholders as the initiative proceeds.
RFP and parking coordination: The EDA said proposals for a real-estate consultant are under review in the city’s purchasing office. Staff also reported meetings with the city’s parking authority consultant to provide input into a study of city parking facilities and operations; Harbor Court Garage’s contractual obligation to provide 250 parking spaces to Harbor Tower was noted as part of those discussions.
Transit and private-sector outreach: Staff said it has engaged Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) on potential additional bus stops for Crawford Bay and discussed potential ferry ridership impacts. Tidewater Yacht Marina’s owner (Suntex) has been contacted to coordinate project planning.
Lake District branding and zoning rewrite: The EDA’s Innovation District has been rebranded as the Lake District. Staff said they are working with the city marketing office and an agency on a logo, gateway signage and a marketing plan; funding in the adopted budget will support initial efforts. Planning staff are also proceeding with a zoning ordinance rewrite and community input sessions aligned with the district’s goals.
RAISE grant design: Staff said the city has finalized grant documentation for the RAISE federal grant and is entering the design phase. Engineers and designers will be solicited to begin drawings; staff cautioned completion is still likely about two years away from construction.
Entertainment district and Landing Hotel: Staff reported a developer announcement for a Landing Hotel as part of a larger entertainment/casino-area development; staff described the project as a multimillion-dollar investment expected to add rooms and jobs. EDA members discussed coordinating workforce training with local colleges and workforce partners.
Ending: The EDA asked staff to integrate retreat recommendations into the EDA’s strategic plan rewrite, to prioritize a short list of tenants and metrics, and to provide periodic status reports on each major initiative.
