NORFOLK, Va. (WVEC) -- In his latest State of the City address, Norfolk Mayor Kenneth Alexander said changes were coming to specific restaurants to create more beach access.
“The city will soon purchase properties on the Chesapeake Bay side of Ocean View Avenue. These properties themselves have street addresses, but many of you know them by their business names: Greenies, and Ocean View Diner," said Alexander.
See Also: Norfolk Mayor's second State of the City
But locals aren't too happy with the decision. LaCinda Yarns grew up in Ocean View and she doesn't understand why the city is making this move.
"Let’s take Greenies [Beach Bar and Grill], let’s restore it, let’s give it a facelift. Let’s do what we have to do to keep our historic landmark. We have enough beach access, what do we need more beach access for?” said Yarns.
Councilman Tommy Smigiel said on Facebook that “Greenies is an icon in Ocean View, but it’s time to move on.”
And Meredith Martz agrees with that post.
“I think that’s a great idea. I just hope it’s a project that the whole Ocean View and Norfolk can take advantage of. He wanted it to sound like this is what you need to do for Norfolk to make progress and he put it in a positive light instead of a negative light," said Martz.
A sale has not happened yet, but Mayor Alexander says it will lead to access to the beach, and it will increase open space for the city.