NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk City Council members finished their retreat Monday to discuss major projects, including one to combat beach erosion in east Ocean View by undergoing emergency beach replenishment.
The plan is to provide replenishment to East Ocean View and East Beach in January, at a cost of roughly $550,000, and is labeled short-term help. The city said studies show erosion has been a bigger problem than anticipated and that the need to combat it is "critical" for the East Beach area.
Also discussed by council members was the Resilient Norfolk partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The 10-year, $2.6 billion project aims to create floodwalls, levees, and pump stations to stave off sea level rise in the Mermaid City.
The 10-year project includes multiple reduction features like a flood wall, levees and pump stations. Preliminary work is estimated to begin next year, which is ahead of schedule. Construction is expected to last three to five years.
Council members did not take any decisive action when it came to two other major projects in the Mermaid City: The MacArthur Center and Military Circle Mall. Presenters floated ideas of what could eventually come to those locations including a convention center, a museum, a park, or more housing.
Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander said council members will make sure the ventures will not be identical to one another and will bring more revenue to the city.
"We're talking about things that are challenging to the city but more importantly where we can prescribe policy solutions to make sure that we move the city forward and stay safe and stay prosperous and move the city forward," Alexander said.
There is also discussion about what could happen to Norfolk's Chrysler Hall and Scope Arena. Both groups said they need more room for capacity in their buildings, but city council members did not make any final decisions.