Norfolk has no plans for Waterside

NORFOLK, Va. - For several years now Waterside Festival Marketplace has become more barren of shops and visitors. And, Norfolk leaders know it.

"Unfortunately it's turning into a mini ghost town," said Councilman Randy Wright. But, they don't know what to do with Waterside. "It's something the Council has not made any determination about at this point," said Wright.

In August 10 the city closed down Have a Nice Day Cafe and Bar Norfolk inside Waterside for ongoing code violations. Last week, Norfolk Festevents suspended Club 20-20, a monthly dance for teenagers, because of capacity limitations. And Monday WAVY.com revealed plans by Jillian's restaurant to possibly pack up and leave Waterside.

As the venues occupancy rate plummets... the taxpayer's bill keeps rising. This year city residents subsidized Waterside to the tune of $1,050,000. And the new year, 2010, calls for $1.35 million from taxpayers. So, when are city leaders going to figure out what to do with Waterside? Councilman Barclay Winn told WAVY.com "We are still working on it. We're going to get it together. We've got a lot of smart people doing a lot of thinking on it and we're going to get it right."

Recalling Waterside's popular past, manager Lane Brown says attracting strong new tenants is crucial. "We need to bring in some additional stores that are going to be compatible with the family-friendly goal that we are all looking for for Waterside." City leaders say they are committed to solving Waterside's woes.

Also, Brown says the owners of Bar Norfolk and Have a Nice Day Cafe have been given their keys to their establishments back, but they still are not allowed to sell alcohol, they remain closed and they are still in talks with the city about how to resolve the issue.