Group protests Waterside proposals

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - Just one day before Norfolk's city manager makes his recommendation on Waterside to city council, a group staged a peaceful protest outside the existing structure to oppose the two proposals on the table.

City leaders have narrowed the possibilities for Waterside down to two plans, which come from the Cordish Companies and the Harvey Lindsey Development Group .

But, the group of protestors believe the city can do better.

Jesse Scaccia, who is running for city council, organized the protest.

"I want a place where when my friends and family visit, they leave buzzing about Waterside, and that is not what we have with these proposals," Scaccia said.

Scaccia is running for Barclay Winn's Superward 6 council seat. Scaccia added Waterside is just one area in which Norfolk needs to do better.

"There's so much potential in the city, but we need new vision and new leadership," Scaccia continued.

"To me, it's foolish to protest something you don't even know what it is," Winn countered.

Winn told WAVY.com that of the the two proposals on the table, the city could decide to do one, the other, a combination of both or neither. However, that decision won't be made Tuesday.

"We don't want to take the life and air off of Granby Street, so there's a fine balance between getting something special and hurting the existing businesses," said Winn.

"When I look at the proposals that we have,... they're not special, and Norfolk deserves something unique," Scaccia proclaimed. "I think the first thing we need to do is cut down Waterside Drive to two lanes, add bike lanes and make it more of a boulevard atmosphere. Have it be the place where you drive by slow and you see what Norfolk and Hampton Roads is doing."

Winn told WAVY.com he'd like to see a balance of entertainment and restaurants.

John Amiral and Marcus Calabrese are also running for the Superward 6 council seat. Amiral said he'd like to see more local businesses involved in the Waterside decision while Calabrese stated he has issues with both proposals.