2017 Survey Results
What do you like about living in Downtown Norfolk?
- Walkability
Walking everywhere – A connection to Ghent would be nice
The number of activities within walking distance
All of the walkable options – food, shopping, entertainment
Proximity to work
Able to walk – not drive-to places I need and want to go
Restaurants, entertainment, pharmacy, and arts all close-by
Walkability
The walkability, metro-cosmopolitan “feel” attempt to be in-line with our similar regions
Walkability
Walkability
I feel like I’m walking in Paris or NY when I go out at night – It’s wonderful
Able to walk to things – mall –restaurants – etc.
- Retail & Dining
Selections of dining and drinking
Neat stores and restaurants
Restaurants and bars w/in walking distance
- Retail & Dining – Continued
Being close to stores and shops
Dining opportunities
Excellent restaurants
Unique, small businesses and restaurants
Close to more dining and shopping options.
Growing – more restaurants, stores, library, Waterside
Muddy Paws
“Restaurant row”
Commerce except for grocery
- Neighborhood/Community
All the new people & development (although we need competition w/developers)
Camaraderie/unity
Nice neighbors
Community
The people, friendly diverse group, active
I know a number of people close by
Diverse demographics, blend of cultures, pace of activity reflecting energy and vitality
The communal feel of residents involved civically
Neighborhood atmosphere – great people
Friendly neighbors
- Arts & Entertainment
First Fridays & Fireworks & Admirals/Tides
Arts & culture
Social scene; proximity to restaurants, bars, entertainment, sports, the arts
Access to cultural events and the arts
Wide range of local festivals
Close to Music entertainment options
Downtown functions
- Infrastructure
Streetlights (over Granby)
Always evolving/improving – like bike lanes
Flood wall
Access to public transportation
Good access to transportation
Elizabeth River Trail, fitness centers, jogging, walking, bicycling
More lighting (safety & aesthetics)
Dog park
Overhead streetlights (archway)
- Miscellaneous
Communications from DNCL, DNC and Norfolk.gov on all the happenings
Growth and excitement – new vibrancy
The transformation and growth over the past five years and its advancement moving forward
Historical preservation as the city grows
Surprisingly clean
F.R.E.D.
Mary Miller
Everything!
Things to do
What would make living in Downtown Norfolk more enjoyable?
- Grocery/Retail
More variety in restaurants and retail
Increased small-shop retail
More stores on/near Granby so we can do more than drink, eat, drink, drink
A super market
A grocery store in Harbor Heights
A grocery store
- Grocery/Retail - Continued
A grocery store
Grocery store, brewery
Have more money to spend in stores and shops
A grocery store that fits downtown Norfolk market requirements
Special discounts from restaurants for locals
A supermarket or market; like the “anchor” that prompted my move downtown
Grocery Store
More unique retail space/offerings
A grocery store
Grocery store options
Grocery store
More retail variety (too heavily restaurant & bar)
Grocery Store
Ethiopian food
More retail/specialty
A grocery store! (even a little market)
A grocery store
Super market
More lower price food choices – after dark/Sunday
- Infrastructure
More greenspace
Upgrade infrastructure on Brambleton and St. Paul’s Blvd.
Expand streetlights (over downtown Granby) further
Ease of pedestrian/bike crossing at Boush/Brambleton
Community gardens
More walking trails
Bike facilities – bike rental, bike store, trails – improve ERT
Keep improving walkability
Extend to Riverside walkway at Town Point Park to reach both Harbor Park plus the Hague
Up-to-date, intelligent traffic signal management and control system throughout downtown streets
Making part of Granby St. a pedestrian mall – much like exists in Charlottesville
Contiguous sections without vehicle access
More outside dining
Stop light on Granby and Tazewell
More flowers
A traffic light at Tazewell and Granby – it’s very dangerous at times to make a turn because of visibility!
Getting rid of the bike lanes on Llewellyn
Slow down traffic on Granby St.
- Services
More help for our homeless
More police presence
Better city parking services
Cheaper/free parking for businesses
Transportation – shuttle?
More police presence (especially at night)
- Miscellaneous
Fewer noisy car radios/people in the early AM hours and the trash/vomit they leave
More options for affordable apartments
Downtown resident or business owner representation on City Council
Less construction
Do something about dogs