Ocean Dream apt. building demolished

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - Some people in a Norfolk neighborhood celebrated St. Patrick's Day with a wrecking party.

Crews demolished The Ocean Dream Apartment Building on Little Bay Avenue as part of the city's effort to revitalize that section of Ocean View.

Built in the early 60s, the Ocean Dream was originally a beach-area motel. Later, it was converted to a 15-unit efficiency apartment building that in recent years became a place associated with drug dealing and prostitution.

"The Ocean Dream standing before us today turned into more of a nightmare than a dream," said Shep Miller, Chairman of the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NRHA).

Wednesday morning brought a wake-up call that members of the Willoughby civic league have been waiting to hear.

"I want to thank the City, NRHA, and the Councilman for their support in allowing this dream to finally be over," said Stephen Lehman with the Willoughby Civic League.

Councilman Don Williams helped establish a fund to buy blighted properties in the area as part of an ongoing effort to revitalize the Willoughby section of Ocean View.

"Our goal was to buy a million dollars worth a year," said Don Williams, a Norfolk City Councilman. "Unfortunately a million dollars won't buy much anymore."

Never the less, the city has spent around $3 million purchasing property such as this and is working with developers to build new housing projects.

"First place that I got on my own away from the house," said Willoughby resident Brian Olson.

Lifelong Willoughby resident Brian Olson rented an apartment at the Ocean Dream not long after finishing high school. Having seen the "Dream" fade in recent years, he applauds the city's actions.

"It's for the better, considering what Willoughby used to be like," Olson said.

Olson and other residents are now dreaming about the future.