THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 11, 1996 TAG: 9607090110
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 157 lines
As a 41-year resident/neighbor and supporter of Norfolk International Airport, I take a more positive view of the Gateway Project efforts by the airport, unlike Patrick Matsumoto in his Compass remarks of June 6.
In the eyes of many with whom I have discussed the Gateway Project, it is considered an excellent concept conceived to solve problems not only for Norfolk International but the surrounding residential neighborhoods as well.
The property in question is located at the approach end of the airport cross wind runway and includes the four corners of Norview Avenue and Azalea Garden Road. Two of the tracts are large and were densely forested with heavy underbrush and tall trees requiring periodic trimming and topping to meet aircraft approach safety standards. Maintaining the property in its natural state and at the same time meeting safety obligations placed an undue burden on airport financial resources.
The Airport Authority management team, in their infinite wisdom, came upon the idea of turning these forests into an informal park, allowing the official airport entrance to be moved further west on Norview Avenue in a natural garden setting in keeping with the terminal environs for which Norfolk International is well-known throughout the United States. The new entrance will be called the Airport Gateway. In addition to meeting runway safety regulations, maintaining the Gateway will be far less expensive than topping and trimming trees annually. The entire project is to be totally funded by the airport. Not one tax dollar is involved.
The Airport Authority contracted with the city of Norfolk to plan, implement and market the Gateway project. Being the great neighbor the airport has always been, they also sought input from surrounding neighborhoods through their respective civic leagues. Much to the credit of the Norfolk City Planning Department and airport management, every neighborhood that chose to be involved has been kept totally informed every step of the way.
Today the Gateway project is well under way. The tall trees and underbrush have been removed opening an area that has previously been a well-known hangout for gang activities, drug deals, the summer home for the homeless and a dumping ground for trash.
Now the planting of hundreds of low-growing trees, shrubs and plants is in progress. We all look forward to the completion of the Gateway with great anticipation, realizing, of course, a project of this type and magnitude requires a great amount of time and patience. It does not simply happen overnight. The Gateway to Norfolk International is certain to become an asset to all concerned. Thank you, Norfolk International and the city of Norfolk for your leadership.
To Mr. Matsumoto, I would say the FAA is correct. You do live next to an international airport that has been with us well over half a century. When you purchased your home 2 1/2 years ago on South Lakeland did you not take into consideration you would be in an aircraft landing and take off pattern?
You seem to consider seven flights a day of small aircraft over your home excessive. Keep in mind they will increase. Normal airport growth will dictate that. Mr. Matsumoto, join the rest of us. Learn to cope, coexist and enjoy the airport. They are fair-minded people who are eager to be good neighbors. And they are not going away.
Bryan T. Rhodes
Andrea Drive
Little Bay Avenue Monorail, not light rail
Light rail between Norfolk and Virginia Beach? Why do we always follow other cities? In this area where many people have traveled far and wide, we need something to get people interested.
Instead of spending millions to put a few railroad cars on existing rails, we need something different, attractive. Why not a monorail, built high enough so car and train intersections are not blocked (all we need is another reason to block traffic), with raised stops. After all, we are entering the year 2000. Let's modernize our mode of transportation. I might even ride something this interesting. But after all, I live in a city that forgets to rent the Pavilion (on time) for high school graduations.
Mark Tyree
Virginia Beach Happiness after a scare
Recently my family and I went through the scare of our lives. We had a happy ending and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful neighbors we have in this neighborhood.
On June 16, our 2-year-old daughter managed to unlock the front door and leave the house with our dog. Jaclyn was missing for about 10 minutes before it was realized she had left the house. She was missing for well over an hour. Within minutes the neighbors organized search parties, combing the bulkhead (we live across the street from the river), yards and all nook and crannies. Neighbors from both sides of Hampton Boulevard assisted in the search. In less than five minutes of being called, Norfolk city police responded with three patrol cars to assist in the search as well as two units from Old Dominion University Security. Jaclyn was found more than a half mile from our home, near the ODU campus.
We sincerely wish to thank everyone involved in the Larchmont/Edgewater community.
Cristy and Joe Torkildson
Studeley Avenue Riddick embarrassing
Does anyone know where I can order some cheese to send to former Vice Mayor Paul Riddick, to eat with his aged old wine?
Paul Riddick has once again embarrassed our city with his childish, arrogant attitude and actions.
Paul Riddick's next act should be to resign his seat.
Horace T. ``Tommy'' White
River Forest Shores Learn about police
Police and community relations are on a definite upswing. Our second patrol division has implemented a citizens police academy. This academy course lasts six weeks with three-hour sessions one evening per week. Subjects covered are police actions, responsibilities, restrictions and procedures. The majority of us have little understanding in this area. If you don't understand why an officer cannot arrest someone on a citizen's report of wrongdoing, you are a good candidate for the course. Probable cause gets fully explained.
We recommend all citizens do themselves a favor and further their understanding of what police can and cannot do by making application and attending this course. We found this course to be one of the most beneficial we have ever taken. It is a first class education in a misunderstood and critical part of police-community interaction. When you understand things from the police prospective you will be better prepared to help our law enforcement officers on the streets and in the courts.
Captain Joseph Jackson, commanding officer of the second patrol division, and his sector officers who teach the course are to be commended for their efforts to educate the citizens of Norfolk.
Bill and Betty Beach
Kingston Avenue Consider pedestrians
I am currently a design student at the Governor's School for the Arts, located on Granby Street in downtown Norfolk. Being downtown every weekday I have seen what struggles businesses must go through to entice shoppers to visit their stores.
With the presently accepted design of MacArthur Center, resembling a fortress, it seems to me that pedestrians would have a very hard time getting onto surrounding streets. The local stores need this type of re-enforcement to keep from having to close. Also, next year the new downtown campus of Tidewater Community College will be opening. There will be a great number of hungry students prowling for lunch. Presently, they will only be able to choose from about 10 restaurants. They may like to venture into the new mall when it is opened. One can imagine that they would like convenient access to both the campus and the mall. This mall could be a positive influence on the downtown community. When MacArthur Center opens, shoppers may be forced to choose to either go to the mall or out onto the streets. Those who choose to visit MacArthur Center will not have ready access to the local merchants; or at the least they will not be ``enticed'' to venture forth to explore the surrounding community.
The flavor of downtown Norfolk may be lost to this design. Having visited cities such as Charleston, S.C., and Savannah, Ga., I can appreciate how planners made new structures complement and blend with existing structures. The latest proposal seems to do just that! With the atmosphere of suburbia conquering that of downtown, planners have one last chance to preserve a special atmosphere. Currently Hampton Roads residents have the choice of frequenting more than seven malls, located in their own neighborhoods, or they can visit an ``upscale downtown.''
Perhaps the Norfolk City Council should reconsider the design and choose to complement the existing community, choose to offer the shopper a more exciting opportunity, choose to restore downtown Norfolk to its former days of glory!
Court Watson
Phoenix Drive by CNB