CPRV Updates: Summer Recap from the President
Pooya Mohit, CPRV Civic League President
September 2023
I’m excited to share a vibrant update on progress in CPRV this past summer season. We warmly welcome new members to our team, infusing fresh energy into our committees. Brace yourselves for the transformative Mayflower Path Restoration & Buffer Extension Project to grace our neighborhood in the coming fall of 2023. We also reflect on the successful Crepe Myrtle Pruning Event this past July. We tip our hats to the Social Events Committee for orchestrating such memorable and seasonable gatherings. To those not yet part of our civic league, your membership can drive positive change. Join us to shape the CPRV you envision and discover how you can contribute to our neighborhood’s growth.
I’m delighted to introduce two exceptional additions to our team: John Robertson, who steps into the role of Welcome and Membership Committee Chairperson, and Mark Gallagher, our new chairperson for the Environmental Committee. Your commitment to our neighborhood is invaluable, and we’re grateful for your dedication.
To all Colonial Place and Riverview residents, if you’re eager to contribute, connect with us at president@cprv.net or explore cprv.net for more information. Your involvement makes a difference! We have a diverse array of unique committees to match every passion; reach out to learn more.
A massive round of applause and heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated Social Events committee for bringing boundless joy and connection to our community through their incredible initiatives! From the enchanting Matinee Movie Event at the historic Naro Theatre, featuring the heartwarming film “The Sandlot,” to the vibrant CPRV Fourth of July Parade with not one but two routes, they’ve made our neighborhood pulse with excitement. Their commitment to fostering unity and fun among us all is truly commendable. Thank you for your unwavering dedication to making Colonial Place Riverview an even more vibrant and engaging place to call home! Check out our events calendar.
Under the summer sun of July 1, 2023, the Colonial Place neighborhood experienced a transformative event as Norfolk Master Gardeners led the charge in a Crape Myrtle Prune initiative.
Together with CPRV residents, a dedicated team of 11 Master Gardener Volunteers embarked on an inspiring endeavor, pruning a total of 150 trees in roughly 2.5 hours, divided among three groups. The concentrated efforts focused on Delaware Ave, New York Ave, Pennsylvania Ave, and their intersecting cross streets: Gosnold, Newport, and Colonial.
The collaborative spirit was elevated by Norfolk City Forester Steven Traylor, who expertly guided the process and promptly cleared away the trimmings. Our heartfelt gratitude goes to everyone who dedicated their morning to this impactful event.
Stay tuned for many more opportunities to help enhance our community.
A groundbreaking venture is underway in Colonial Place, thanks to a dynamic partnership with the Elizabeth River Project (ERP). We continue to restore and enhance our waterfront with the Mayflower Path Restoration and Buffer Extension project, a transformative endeavor slated to start this Fall 2023.
Imagine a path that starts at New Hampshire Avenue, hugging the bulkhead and scenic views across Knitting Mill Creek as it journeys towards Connecticut Ave. This exciting venture marks the expansion of an existing path, currently stretching from New York Avenue to Connecticut Avenue. The initial phase will begin this fall.
Spanning from New Hampshire Ave to Massachusetts Ave, the first phase will enrich and regrade the soil, install low-lying native plants, and create a semi-pervious path extension made of natural materials. The goal is to help stabilize the barren stretch of landscape, provide a lush greenscape, control stormwater runoff, and help protect our bulkhead’s structural integrity.
But that’s just the beginning! Phases 2 and 3 will seamlessly continue from Massachusetts Avenue, with Phase 2 aiming to start in the fall of 2024 and Phase 3 blossoming in the spring of the same year. The potential is vast, with over $200k in potential grant funds supporting the project and an experienced local partner, the Elizabeth River Project.
This project was set into motion by a passionate team, including myself alongside Jeff Stark, a former CPRV resident, Joe Reiger and Mary Mantey from ERP, and Justin Schafer from the City of Norfolk. With Justin’s valuable assistance, I am working with Joe and Mary from ERP to ensure the project’s momentum remains strong.
We are beyond excited for this remarkable metamorphosis as the Mayflower Path Restoration and Buffer Extension project becomes a reality. Stay tuned for more updates as we embark on this transformative journey together.
As summer winds down, our neighborhood’s vitality continues to thrive. It’s been a season of new beginnings, inspiring projects, and heartwarming connections. The collaborative spirit displayed by our new committee members, John Robertson and Mark Gallagher, embodies the essence of our community. As we anticipate the upcoming Mayflower Path Restoration & Buffer Extension Project this fall, we’re reminded of our collective potential to create enduring positive change. The success of the Crepe Myrtle Pruning Event showcased our dedication to nurturing our surroundings. Thank you to our Social Events Committee for curating unforgettable experiences that bring us together. If you still need to become a member of our civic league, there’s no better time to join. Your involvement amplifies our neighborhood’s growth and vitality. Let’s continue to make a difference, one step at a time. As always, your support and engagement drive our community forward.
Cheers,
It was “GAME ON” at the CPRV Community Meetup, at P I X E L S pints & bytes, Saturday, February 15th from 12pm to about 2pm. Neighbors enjoyed a variety of appetizers and refreshments & free game tokens, provided by the civic league’s social events committee and our hosts at Pixels. 👾🕹️
The CPRV Civic League’s Social Events Committee invites you to join them for an afternoon of games and nostalgia at @pixels.norfolk on Saturday, February 15th from 12:00pm to 1:30pm, in a reserved space on the 2nd floor. Neighbors of all ages are welcome! The Social Events Committee will provide light refreshments and game tokens will be provided, in part, by our gracious hosts at Pixels.
We were joined by Guest Speaker Amena Anderson, Bank On Coordinator with the City of Norfolk. Bank On Hampton Roads is a partnership of participating banks, credit unions, and community organizations across Hampton Roads designed to help you take control of your finances. LEARN MORE
Representatives from counsel to McDonald’s Corp. will also attend the Meeting to present their proposed site improvement plans, mainly including their drive-through, parking, and landscaping – see plan and renderings below.
Officer Brenton Blakeslee, our Community Resource Officer, who provided the latest crime report
We were also joined by a special surprise guest Councilwoman Courtney Doyle who shared updates about ATV issues, now being impounded and Sold or Disposed by Norfolk PD at their discretion, MetroNet internet is making progress with installation fulfilment and getting good feedback, reminded us about some new council members, and that the City Manager assured council members that our water treatment plants for Norfolk are partitioned and less prone to a situation such as the one Richmond recently experienced.
Find out about speakers for upcoming meetings, fall in love with February with Valentine’s day cards and local historical facts, events around town and much more!
Looking Back at Uneasy Times in Colonial Place & Riverview – A Tribute to Dr. Norman Pollock by Arlette Claflin and Pat Spriggs
The CPRV Civic League was contacted by counsel to McDonald’s Corp., which operates a restaurant at 4125 Granby Street, with a request to present plans for proposed work to their parking and drive-through.
Representatives from counsel to McDonald’s Corp. will attend the Feb 10th, 2025 CPRV Civic League General Members Meeting at 6:30 PM to present their proposed site improvement plans. The meeting will take place at Kingdom Embassy Ministries, 645 Mayflower Rd, Norfolk, VA 23508. All residents are welcome to attend.
Click on the logos below to learn more about our sponsors.
