NORFOLK, Va. — Commissioned by The Downtown Norfolk Council, the study looked at a variety of factors and found safety and transparency are key to having a thriving downtown nightlife.
The downtown council commissioned the study with the consulting firm Safe Night to see if they can improve nightlife safety. The study recognizes that the area has had its share of violence and issues in recent years.
"This isn't about solving crime in nightlife areas, it's about managing it," Executive Vice President of Safe Night said.
The results recommended a multi-component nightlife management model to sustain new and current businesses downtown.
Along with safety and training with law enforcement, the study recommended a set of standards that if criteria were met a location would be certified as a "Gold Bar establishment."
Baxter Simmons owns Baxter's Sports Lounge. He says the first step to a thriving nightlife is wanting one.
"Nightlife is a crucial part if you really are trying to have a real downtown," Simmons said.
For two decades his establishment has been a staple on Granby Street. Over time he says he's seen the nightlife scene shrink.
The lack of options is one of the reasons people prefer nightlife outside of Granby.
"There's always something different that's going on in the breweries. They tend to feel that roundabout here, that it doesn't have that same kind of like inclusive, feel about it," Norfolk resident, Gillian Russell said.
Simmons says the study results are a great idea but won't work if the wrong people are in charge of the business
"You also need to make sure that the people that are putting these operations in place are putting good operations in place and are running them are making an honest effort to run them in a good nature," Simmons said.
The Downtown Norfolk Council says it will continue to work on the accreditation model for the area.