THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, August 17, 1996 TAG: 9608170054
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ALEX MARSHALL, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 132 lines
NORFOLK OFFICIALS and the developer have settled on a basic design for the city's planned downtown mall. But the issue seems less resolved among Hampton Roads citizens.
A group of local architects and others have objected to the plan, saying its interior-focused suburban style would not bring new life to surrounding parts of downtown. The group has produced an alternative, unofficial proposal.
A story in last Saturday's Daily Break described that plan and the one approved by the city. The story asked readers whether the city should stick to its design or reconsider, and it invited them to express themselves through an Infoline telephone call-in.
By a margin of 1,363 to 141, those responding said the city should change its plans.
The Infoline survey was not a scientific poll. It recorded the views and comments only of those who cared to call, so it may not reflect the feelings of the region as a whole.
A few of the callers, to judge by voice-mail messages many left with their votes, didn't want the mall built at all. The majority, however, advocated a design change.
Meanwhile, construction of the $300 million mall is moving forward. The site is being cleared, and mall construction is scheduled to begin in January.
City Councilman Mason C. Andrews, who has helped lead the design process, said he liked the idea of more stores facing the street, as the alternative design would do, but only where feasible.
``To have stores around the whole circumference of the mall is an interesting, attractive goal, but an unachievable goal,'' Andrews said.
Echoing Andrews, city design consultant Ray Gindroz said Thursday night that the city had tried to interest developers in a design similar to one proposed by the alternative group. But retail interests said such a plan would fail commercially.
Undeterred, those in the alternative design group said they were making arrangements to show their plans to both The Taubman Co., the mall's developer, and city officials.
``We've always felt that there's got to be a way to meet the retailer's needs and do better than the current plan,'' said Mark Perreault, a leader of the alternative group. ``It's the power of that idea that keeps us moving.''
The architects hope the developer will make changes to the mall's site plan on his own, even though the city has already approved the initial plans.
Here are some readers' comments on the issue:
I'm very eager to see a shopping mall developed that enriches the entire downtown area and takes the other shops into consideration. I think we are working very hard to develop downtown. We cannot afford to spend this much money in something that will not benefit and enrich the entire downtown section.''
-Ann Madsen
I've been in the shopping-center business for over 30 years. The plan designed by the volunteer group violates every principle of shopping-center design. It will not work.''
-Bob Stanton
The architects' plan is far more superior and inviting. It takes advantage of natural thoroughfares, such as City Hall Avenue. It also includes the MacArthur Memorial. . . . I'm surprised to see how inviting they were able to make that huge building.''
-Ethel Goldman
I would prefer to see more street-oriented stores similar to Colley Avenue around 21st Street. An isolated mall is not something that I really go to.''
-Charles Ward
I like the covered walkways in glass (in the alternative design), which recreate the two arcades that we have downtown, and the glass dome in the center that recreates the dome in MacArthur Center.''
-Mike Burnett
I definitely support the original plans. I like the looks and the appeal for the alternative plan, but I don't think it is economically feasible. I don't think the new plan has considered safety and the convenience of parking.
-Karen Whitmore
Whatever plan you do use, you are going to have to keep it safe for shoppers in the day and night, with well-lighted streets and parking, because if it's not safe nobody is going to come no matter what design you use. That should be primary, not secondary. I like the open, airy plan of the alternative design.''
-Marva Stein
I beg you to have a few other designs made. Malls are not as interesting to people anymore. There are architects in the country that could do a better job than this.''
-Daisy Dickson
One thing that I really think makes a lot of sense in the alternative design is that it creates a pedestrian path between Scope, Chrysler Hall and MacArthur Memorial. It ties in three key interest points in Norfolk and will create a flow of pedestrian traffic among them. People coming to concerts would be able to visit the mall for shopping and dinner, either before an event or after it's over.
``I think it's time Norfolk pays attention to what the citizens want and not proceed with what it wants.''
-Mike Whitehurst
I think the city's design is very cold and horrid.''
-William Joseph Fontine
If one wishes to restore Norfolk back to the vibrant city it once was, one would choose the alternative plan. If one just wants to have just another suburban mall, then one goes along with the design that will apparently come regardless.''
-Viola Hayhurst
I very strongly believe the more stores that face streetfront, the more traffic we can have walking downtown, the better it will grow and the safer it will be. The (alternative) design shown in the paper with the main entrance across from the MacArthur Memorial is an absolute distinct improvement over the other design. Go with the alternative!''
-Tim Falon
I've been very excited about having a major mall in the area with a Nordstrom. I'm tired of having to go to the D.C. area to shop at Nordstrom. I certainly hope the project gets under way quickly so that we will have a place of that quality to shop.''
-Mary Lensberg ILLUSTRATION: Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority
A computer-generated vision of the mall plan, looking east on City
Hall Avenue. Critics dislike the stark, unbroken exteriors.
Color drawing by Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority
[The city's present site plan]
KEYWORDS: MACARTHUR CENTER MALL INFOLINE POLL RESULTS by CNB