by Grayson Savage, active Hampton Roads forum participant on UrbanPlanet.orgThe Hampton Roads Metro currently has a population of around 1.7 million and is maturing right in front of our eyes. Downtown Norfolk has emerged as the business, transportation, and cultural hub of the region.
At the same time, Virginia Beach Town Center is becoming a great place to live, work, dine, and conduct business.
The City of Norfolk has composed a “Downtown 2020 Plan” in which they address connectivity of the urban street grid, the continuation of urban infill projects, and the importance of transportation to the region.
The City of Virginia Beach is creating the “Pembroke Implementation Plan” focusing on the development of Town Center and surrounding areas. Two of Virginia’s largest and most economically important cities are doing great things these days and I think they have many great years ahead of them.
By the next decade I really see Hampton Roads as one of the strongest metros in the South. Here is my vision for the region:
Hampton Roads is an economically strong, transit- oriented, developer friendly metro with a population of approximately 2.1 million. Hampton Roads Transit has light rail moving citizens through the urban areas in the regions, commuter rail moving people from suburban neighborhoods to the business hubs, express buses adding to the connectivity of the transit system, bus rapid transit traveling on dedicated lanes running frequently and on time, and ferries moving people along our waterways.
Downtown Norfolk has continued infill projects resulting in the dramatic rise in population, national businesses have opened, and a “grand central station” is located at Harbor Park connecting higher speed rail to our regional transportation. The city has a nationally recognizable skyline that we can take pride in.
Virginia Beach Town Center has become more of a downtown. Transit Oriented Developments have popped up all around Town Center and the growth has sparked a professional sports team to relocate to the largest area without one. The Oceanfront is a beautiful resort area after many infill projects have been completed and the benefit of light rail and bus rapid transit.
Posts
1 comment:
Comment by Ethan (Blogger ID: http://www.blogger.com/profile/06745963033863077608)
I wish I could share your enthusiasm for the region, however I can't.
The jobs in Hampton Roads are lackluster and bleak for the most part. The region used to pride itself on it's low paid but skilled workforce.
It used to be the cost of living was low, but now it's ridiculously high. Older folks won't acknowledge this because they want to be able to sell their property for high prices, or at least feel confident that their net worth is real high due to their supposed equity. [removed by editor]
When it comes down to it, there aren't many companies that make a great impact on the world in Hampton Roads. Gov't contractors don't count -- they cause our national deficit to go up, and many of them aren't about good quality workers or doing a good job. They are about filling seats so they get paid. With the gov't, saving money isn't rewarded, and everyone suffers for this.
I think in 20 years Hamtpon Roads will be the same. I think other regions will have continued to blow past it. I think the young people (who are good) will continue to leave it.
That is, unless the young people take over it, and revolt.
Sure it's possible to make good money. But not everyone wants a future in a chrome rim dealership or a payday loan / title loan operation.
Editor's Note: In continuing efforts to engage the citizens of Hampton Roads in a positive way, we welcome all commenters, from all perspectives, and encourage opinions and debate. It is not the intent of SmartRegion.org to "manage the message," because it serves the greater good to encourage people to get involved. Trust-building is an important component of civic engagement, for citizens and for elected officials alike.
As per our comment policy, only anonymous comments are not accepted. (i.e. full, actual name and valid email address must be supplied prior to posting) We do, however, reserve the right to remove names and identifying titles that could potentially be defamatory, insulting or offensive in order to maintain the positive, region-building nature of this blog.
Post a Comment