City of Chesapeake Economic Development

South Norfolk Strategic Development Plan

Introduction
The City of Chesapeake is a growing and prosperous city in the Tidewater Region of Virginia. However, the original historic core of Chesapeake, the South Norfolk neighborhood, is in decline, particularly the business district along Poindexter Street. Since the 1960's there has been a steady loss of businesses and an accompanying deterioration of the physical environment. The Mayor and City Council recognized that a revitalization plan for the Poindexter Corridor is essential to the overall health of the city. A consultant team, led by Urban Design Associates, was retained by the Economic Development Department to conduct a public planning process with the neighborhood of South Norfolk to produce a Strategic Development Plan for the Poindexter Corridor.

Planning Process
A diverse and representative Steering Committee was appointed by the City to work with the consultant team. The planning process had three phases, starting in July 2003, each of which involved focus groups, interviews, and public meetings. The second phase of the planning process was a three day design "charrette" (working session) in South Norfolk in September 2003 at which a consensus strategy plan for the Poindexter Corridor evolved. The final public presentation of the plan was in December 2003.