Norfolk’s Waterside opened some 25 years ago, ushering in a revival to the downtown waterfront area. The facility was built by Rouse and modeled after a similar one in Baltimore. Rouse also built the 6th St. Market Place in Richmond. With the facility aging and losing money, Norfolk is trying to figure out what to do with it.
I recall the opening and since I was working downtown at the time, often ate lunch there. And for a brief period, I also performed there, doing lunchtime concerts and Friday evening ones. (I actually have some really great pictures from one of my Friday evening performances.) The place was always bustling with people. But I have to admit – I haven’t been to Waterside in years. The last time I was there, it was nothing like it was when it opened. The crowds were sparse, the mix of stores and restaurants dramatically different. So, yes, I, like many others, are part of the reason it has come to this.
According to this article, some in Norfolk would like to tear down the facility and replace it with condos, a luxury hotel or maybe an office building. I don’t know – none of those things makes much sense to me at this point. At the same time, as a taxpayer, I’d like to see Waterside off the city’s books.
Whatever happens with the property, I hope it takes into account that the downtown waterfront should remain open to all.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
Well . . .
I admit I haven’t been since 2006, either. My suspicions about why it’s falling by the wayside is that MacArthur Mall has more retail/restaurant/entertainment space and also offers intergrated parking. Waterfront needs to do more to encourage people to take the time to walk a couple blocks over. Which brings me to point #2: I have no earthly idea what’s in there anymore. I’m not going to go to the hassle of parking downtown and hiking the rest of the way just to find out what they have to offer.
I do hope they turn it around, though. People always want to tear down things and put in condos, which is why the market for condiminiums is already over saturated. Maybe people haven’t heard the housing bubble popped?
On a side note, does Nauticus serve any purpose anymore beyond offering politicians a battleship that they can stand in front of while making speeches?
Well, there’s that 😉 And it’s also a great place for a party.
Geez, I hope they don’t demolish it. I have fond childhood memories of going to Waterside, and it didn’t look *too* bad on my last visit (2005ish). Besides, the *last* thing Norfolk needs is more condos, imo.
Regards,
Brian
Any new use needs to benefit the people and not just the the private sector. A park like area with small shops and restrauants would be outstanding.
“replace it with condos, a luxury hotel or maybe an office building.” All lousy solutions that don’t benefit the general public. i’d guess the main reason that Waterside is floundering is there is ZERO promotion for Waterside. When was the last time that there was a Waterside TV or radio ad? Or any sort of campaign informing the public about what’s there? How about FREE parking in that garage on the weekend? ANYTHING? Also, i’d like to think that the Tide will help Waterside, since it will be just a few blocks from a station. Get drunk and take the train home. 😉
Oh yes, let’s put luxury development right in the path of a hurricane!
The private sector does benefit the public. Every time. I don’t mean half-assed privatization, like public-private partnerships or government protected monopolies. I mean real privatization, and marketization. With government out of the way, completely.
That’s precisely what’s there now, brother. Oh, it has a roof, but that just makes it a park like area with a lid…
Amen!