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East Side residents decry 'broken promises' as proposed Norfolk CIP shifts $72 million to MacArthur Center
Summary
Multiple East Side speakers at Norfolk's budget hearing said the proposed FY27 CIP sidelines promised East Side investments—including a combined recreation center and library at Military Circle—and urged council to restore funding and transparency.
Members of Norfolk's East Side community told the City Council at a June public hearing that the proposed fiscal year 2026–27 capital improvement plan abandons long‑standing promises and concentrates funding downtown.
Cathy O'Hara of the Equity for the East Side Coalition said the five‑year CIP removed previously planned funding for a combined East Side recreation center and library and noted that the plan directs roughly $72 million over five years to MacArthur Center while, she said, 'not a single dollar is allocated for redevelopment of Military Circle.' She added that 62.4% of the FY27 CIP is directed to downtown and the West Side and warned that the proposed plan risks 'a slow erosion of our community.'
Speakers across the East Side reiterated that request. Charlotte Smith Whorley asked for transparency, accountability and concrete timelines for Military Circle redevelopment and for the mayor's earlier state‑of‑the‑city commitment to an East Side fitness, wellness and library facility to be honored. Dustin Wallace and other civic‑league representatives said the community has repeatedly seen the line item appear in one budget only to be struck from the next; Wallace urged council to 'get that line item back' so the East Side can secure generational investment.
Several speakers cited prior work by city staff and the East Side Task Force and said meetings with staff raised expectations that have not been met. Lorraine Macklem, Lake Taylor Civic League president, said a $10 million appropriation in FY24 has not produced visible progress on Military Circle and urged reassessment of priorities. An Equity Eastside Coalition member and others emphasized that the East Side provides a substantial share of city tax revenue yet sees little reinvestment.
The public remarks called on the council to restore the East Side recreation/library funding, clarify timelines and prioritize equitable distribution of CIP dollars. The hearing record contains no formal council response or motion on the issue; the public hearing closed with no vote recorded.
