Project Update - May 2022
The recent local news and conversations around the community have been abuzz with exciting developments regarding the much-anticipated redevelopment of the Military Circle Mall in Norfolk. For many longtime residents, this effort is long overdue. When Military Circle Mall opened in 1970, it quickly became a vibrant hub of commercial and retail activity. One of the first contemporary shopping destinations in the region, the mall remained successful for decades before a long, gradual decline. There have been many conversations about revitalizing the area over the past two decades, but none have ever been closer to reality than they are now.
There are currently three redevelopment options being considered by the Norfolk Economic Development Authority (NEDA), all of which would radically transform Military Circle into a truly modern lifestyle center. Along with other factors such as housing and public green spaces, part of the NEDA’s evaluation process will be tied to the concept of Transit Oriented Development. Transit oriented development (TOD) is defined as optimizing the amount of residential, commercial and leisure space within the walking distance of public transport. This concept fosters interconnectivity between urban density and mobility options for residents.
By doing so, TOD creates a truly efficient and equitable community that fosters public transport ridership and reduces use of single occupancy vehicles. The Naval Station Norfolk Transit Corridor Project is an example of this philosophy and plays heavily into some of the proposed Military Circle redevelopment plans, particularly when it comes to expanding access to Tide light rail.
In March, Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) presented its vision for an expansion of The Tide during a city council retreat. The current proposal would extend the existing rail line by two miles, continuing to the Sentara Leigh Hospital campus and giving commuters direct access to Military Circle.
Ray Amoruso, HRT Chief Planning and Development Officer, remarked during his presentation that Military Circle is a solid anchor where light rail can support the success of redevelopment and provide greater access for the community to points across the city.
“But we are still in the very early stages, and many years away from building,” Amoruso added. “If everything went perfectly — dotting all the i’s and crossing the t’s — we would hope to break ground in 2028, with everything being up and running around 2030.”
While this might appear like a long period of time, it assures the proper synergy between transit expansion and economic development. A quick glance at our Naval Station Corridor Transit Project timeline reveals the project will first require a resolution of support from the city council early this summer, followed by the completion of an Environmental Assessment and a formal application for state funding through Virginia SMART SCALE, the Commonwealth’s system for awarding state funding based on potential economic impact.
As the title of our effort suggests, the goal is to eventually expand the high capacity transit service to Naval Station Norfolk., An internal Naval Base circulator system has been funded by a state grant to serve immediate mobility needs on the base, which has the potential to build transit ridership. New and more compact land use activity will also support higher ridership. Luckily, the redevelopment of Military Circle Mall will provide a perfect stepping stone not only to expand the Tide but also to increase the economic potential of an area that is ripe for exciting and long overdue possibilities.