Laura Burns

Laura Burns President's Circle: March 2023

In an effort to show our community what the Civic League does, here is what I have been up to the past few months on behalf of our residents:

  1. Asphalt Art: Colonial Place resident Melissa Seek presented her proposal regarding installing asphalt art in Colonial Place and Riverview at our February meeting and it was approved by the Civic League! Please see the article regarding this project for additional information. We are so excited to beautify our neighborhood and bring our community together!
  2. Columbus and LaValette: The city has installed a 4-way stop sign at this intersection after the civic league voted in favor of this.
  3. Membership Committee Chair: Harris Laughrey has been serving as our Membership Committee Chair and has been of great value to the Civic League. Unfortunately, the Navy has called upon him for bigger and better things, so he is leaving Norfolk. I am pleased to announce that Jay Jenkins, Colonial Place resident, will take over for Harris. Thanks, Jay!
  4. Sinkhole on the 600 Block of Delaware Ave: A sinkhole developed on the 600 block of Delaware Ave due to a collapsed pipe. Residents reported it via Norfolk Cares, but it continued to get worse. I contacted the Director of Public Works, who worked with the Department of Public Utilities to remedy the problem and ensure our community’s safety.
  5. Riverview Commercial Corridor Pilot Program: Riverview Village has been identified by the Department of Economic Development as one of two areas they are piloting a commercial corridor program. Funding will be provided for façade updates and placemaking. Pooya Mohit (VP) and I attended a meeting with the consulting group Anderson + Bohlander, the city hired to help drive this effort. Along with a few Riverview Village stakeholders, we helped the consultants understand what makes Riverview Village special, its history, and what improvements we would like to see in the area. The city will start accepting applications from business owners soon! More information here.
  6. Councilwoman Courtney Doyle: Our Councilwoman Courtney Doyle spoke at our last civic league meeting. She told us about some updates in our area, and residents could ask questions. Courtney was asked what recourse residents have when they submit a request to Norfolk Cares with seemingly no response. Courtney asked that we email her those correspondences so she can follow up and resolve them. 
  7. LeGrand Kitchen: LeGrand Kitchen is moving from Colley Ave to Riverview! The restaurant plans to occupy the space where Crackers currently resides.
  8. Advertising: With the launch of our new website and e-newsletter, Media Chair, Shannon Bowman has put together a media kit for folks interested in advertising with the civic league. If you or someone you know would like to advertise with us, please email her for more information.

The Civic League is here to serve the community. If there is anything we can do for you, please do not hesitate to contact me (president@cprv.net, 804-690-5047) and anyone from the Board (contact information is on the back of the newsletter).

News & Resources

Help Identify Your Service Line Today | The City of Norfolk Department of Utilities

The 2021 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Lead and Copper Rule Revisions requires the City of Norfolk to prepare a service line inventory of both Norfolk and customer-owned materials.

Here’s how you can help the City develop our service line inventory.

Identify Your Service Line Materials:
For step by step instructions to identify your service line go to https://www.norfolk.gov/5838/Material-Verification

Questions?
Call (757) 664-6700

Read More »

General Members Meeting | April 8, 2024

We are joined by: 

Courtney Doyle, Norfolk City Councilwoman for Ward 2 gave updates on infrastructure projects in our neighborhood, a safety report on improving rates across our area, implementation of new speed cameras in school zones and more. The presentation was followed by a brief Q&A session. 

Jeremy McGee spoke about his candidacy for Norfolk City Council Ward 6. Mr. McGee spoke about his background, move to Norfolk, local business ownership, civic involvement in Ghent Civic League, Norfolk ARB and now Norfolk Planning. The presentation was followed by a brief Q&A session. 

Aleksandra Prouty joined us to introduce her new restaurant coming to Riverview
Village – Leila’s International Cuisine at 4136 Granby Street (next to Pittie Dog Grill)

Read More »

Gosnold Ave – Gravity Sewer Repair

The City of Norfolk’s Department of Utilities has hired East West Construction to repair and rehabilitate the sewer line in your neighborhood along a section of Gosnold Ave. The project area is shown on the map on the back [see below images].

Planned Start of Construction: March 2024
Anticipated End of Construction: June 2024
Access: Access to businesses and residences will be maintained throughout construction with detours around the work zone. The City and our contractor will do our best to minimize the unavoidable disruptions associated with construction.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the city’s on-site construction inspector, Charles Davis. He can be reached by cell phone at (757) 647-9940 to respond quickly. You may also contact the project manager, Tiba Salim at (757) 266-9491.

For more info visit: www.norfolk.gov/utilitiesimprovements.

Read More »

General Members Meeting | March 11, 2024

Tommy Leeman, candidate for Norfolk City Mayor, spoke about his background and platform followed by a brief Q&A session including his thoughts on redevelopment of MacArthur Center, Military Circle Mall and the forthcoming Casino project.

Representatives from the Colley Community Center gave a presentation on their mission, initiatives timeline and how the many ways the community can contribute.

Jason Im spoke on behalf of Riverview Shell, pursuing an ABC permit in compliance with the façade grant recently awarded by the city. A motion to vote was brought forth from the floor, seconded and put to vote with all voting parties in favor and no parties vocally against

Read More »

General Members Meeting | February 12, 2024

Norfolk City Mayor, Kenny Alexander, and Norfolk City Manager, Patrick Roberts spoke about the recent updates from the city. Following the Mayor and City Manager’s engaging presentation, a brief Q&A session allowed for further discussion. Watch the entire meeting below. Congratulations to the new Secretary of the Civic League Board. – Stephanie Clark.

Read More »

Special thanks to our website sponsors!

Click on the logos below to learn more about our sponsors.

BBC logo SQ blue