Norfolk launches Phase 1 of master plan to improve the city

NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk officials are looking to the future and asking residents for suggestions to improve the city as part of a new comprehensive plan called NFK 2050.

Over the course of five listening sessions, city leaders hope to hear from residents about what they need and how they think the city can be better.

"These workshops are designed to engage Norfolk’s residents and stakeholders around the NFK2050 Comprehensive Plan and are intended to help understand residents’ needs and their ideas for making the city better," according to a release from the city.

RELATED: How do you think Norfolk city leaders should improve the city? There is a new master plan in the works.

The listening sessions are open-house style where attendees can drop in and out anytime during the workshop. Here's when and where the sessions will be held:

• Thursday, Nov. 30 from 4 – 7 p.m., Mary D. Pretlow Anchor Branch Library at 111 W. Ocean View Ave
• Monday, Dec. 4 from 4 – 7 p.m., Norview Community Center at 6380 Sewells Point Rd.
• Wednesday, Dec. 6 from 4 – 7 p.m., Richard A. Tucker Memorial Library at 2350 Berkley Ave.
• Thursday, Dec. 7 from 4 – 7 p.m., Lamberts Point Community Center at 1251 W. 42nd St.
• Monday, Dec. 11 from 4 – 7 p.m., Fairlawn Recreation Center at 1014 Kempsville Rd.

The community workshops are the first of a series of phases for the NFK 2050 plan.

The comprehensive plan will outline the city’s vision, goals and strategies, according to Chris Whitney, Norfolk's chief planner. Improvements could range from increasing the availability of affordable housing, improving the city's response to natural disasters, transportation and beyond.

The NFK 2050 plan is replacing the city's plaNorfolk2030 plan, which included a strategic project to promote bicycle and pedestrian safety, revitalizing neighborhoods in Wards Corner and Fairmount Park, along with ideas to redevelop Military Circle. 

“The 2030 plan did have a lot of things that we want to carry forward in the new plan," Whitney told 13News Now in October. “Equity is a big one. Making sure as we grow into 2050 and beyond, how can we make sure all our neighbors are lifted up into that brighter future?”