New agreements for Waterside bars

NORFOLK, Va. - Norfolk Vice Mayor Anthony Burfoot says he's concerned that agreements called "special exceptions" for a half dozen Waterside businesses are not ready for City Council approval.

He told WAVY.com, "The quicker we do that the quicker we can get on with the business of turning that place into a place where families are going to come to."

Burfoot had expected the governing body to vote on the plan before it took its summer recess this week.

He and other city leaders envision Waterside as a family friendly place again. In recent years, it's become a place for nightclub patrons.

The city now operates the festival marketplace and wants businesses that sell alcohol to apply for what's called "special exceptions" and list all of the services they offer.

City Attorney Bernard Pishko is drawing up the agreements and told us by phone that "more often than not things take longer than people think they will." He says the matter could go before the City Council in four to six weeks. Burfoot says he wants to make sure the measure is on the fast track .

One Waterside patron, Rosemary Moyers, arrrived with her grandchildren and said Waterside is not the place it was when she used to bring her children. "I only come during the day because I don't like all those bars. It's not like it used to be so I think they could improve that family friendly attitude," Moyers said.

Another patron, Dana Braxton, said "if they want to keep it all family friendly then maybe the bars need to go away or have more sanctions."

Burfoot said the city could shut down Waterside businesses not in compliance with the new "special exception" agreements.