OpenGov
will share your response with the City of Norfolk staff. Do you also want your response shown on this website?
Yes -
show it with my name
Sign in and be yourself
Sign in and let others know who you are and what you think. You can sign in now or after you submit your response. You'll be able to read your response on this website and change it if you change your mind.
Yes - show it without my name
Sign in and be someone
Sign in and let others know what you think. Only OpenGov will know who you are. You can sign in now or after you submit your response. You'll be able to read your response on this website and change it if you change your mind.
No - just show it without my name to staff
* required
Even though your response will be shared with staff, it won’t be shown on this public website so other community members won’t have the opportunity to see it.
Concerned about sharing your contact information with OpenGov?
What is a disruptive statement?
A statement
containing personal attacks, profanity, commercial advertising or content which is entirely off-topic, and/or
from a user who has falsified their registration information with the intent to post multiple statements in one topic or to misrepresent their city of residence.
Why does Open Town Hall monitor for disruptive statements?
OpenGov is a non-partisan company dedicated to building public trust in government and broadening civic engagement. Many people will not participate if the forum has disruptive statements.
Does Open Town Hall find many disruptive statements?
No. Disruptive statements are quite rare - less than one in a thousand statements are disruptive.
What does Open Town Hall do if they find a disruptive statement?
Open Town Hall
moves the statement to a different web page,
describes the problem in an email to the author, and
invites the author to change the statement.
Does Open Town Hall ever edit or delete statements?
Never. Only the statement's author can edit or delete a statement.
If I disagree with someone, can I post my opinion?
Yes. Open Town Hall encourages open dialog which, by necessity, includes disagreements.
How do I know if my statement is a 'disagreement' or a 'personal attack'?
Personal attacks are disparaging remarks which impute motives to a person's action. Statements of fact, or of your own opinion are generally not personal attacks.
Here are some examples of statements which are, and are not, personal attacks.
Personal Attack
Not A Personal Attack
He lied.
He said he did X, but in fact he did Y.
She misrepresented the truth.
I don't trust her.
He is greedy.
He is making plenty of money.
It is merely a power play on her part.
She will announce her candidacy soon.
Let’s Talk Norfolk has two participation channels :
The Registered Channel: Sign in before or just after you submit your response. Either way, Community Feedback will show your response on this website.The Unregistered Channel: Don't sign in and remain anonymous. Community Feedback will just share your response with Norfolk staff.
Note: The first time you sign in, you'll need to register (establish an account on Let’s Talk Norfolk). Registration is free.
The City of Norfolk has contracted with Community Feedback to monitor responses shown on this website.
To prevent any single user from dominating the forum, the City of Norfolk restricts the number of responses any one user can post on selected topics. Registration helps Community Feedback enforce this restriction.
Users, staff and government leaders often want to know the neighborhood from which a response is posted. Community Feedback uses registration to show the neighborhood next to each response (not the address).
If a user posts a response that does not meet the City of Norfolk guidelines for civility , Community Feedback uses the user's email address to invite the user to resolve the issue.
Community Feedback will get your contact information. The company is under contract with the City of Norfolk to hold it in strict confidence per their privacy policy .
Since you'll see your own response on Let’s Talk Norfolk, you'll be able to confirm that your response was posted as you intended.
You'll be able to change and/or delete your response as long as the topic is open.
Yes. Sign out, then set your privacy preference to be "No - just show it without my name to staff". You won't need to register.
While no authentication procedure can perfectly detect every fraudulent registration, Community Feedback is able to secure the registered channel against systematic fraud : cases where users submit enough statements with fraudulent registrations to sway the overall interpretation of the feedback.
Community Feedback is unable to secure the unregistered channel against systematic fraud, because unregistered users are anonymous.
Neither the registered nor the unregistered channel represent a certified voting system or ballot box - and that caveat is footnoted on every page of feedback. Instead, both are additional channels for feedback to government.
Users can participate on the registered channel (by signing in) or on the unregistered channel (by remaining anonymous). The City of Norfolk offers both channels in order to broaden participation and maximize decision makers' insights.
The registered channel enables users to assure decision makers that their feedback comes from a real person in a specific neighborhood. It also enables users to participate in a public discussion on the website, as well as manage their own response after posting it.
The unregistered channel is for users who want to provide quick feedback without registering, and/or whose privacy concerns would prevent them from participating if required to register. Because many users with valuable insights will only share them anonymously, this channel gives decision makers the option to consider those insights in their deliberations.
OpenGov is a non-partisan company whose mission is to broaden civic engagement and build public trust in government. The City of Norfolk has contracted with OpenGov to administer Let’s Talk Norfolk.
What is your zip code?
* required
What is your vision for Norfolk?
What are your hopes and dreams for the future of Norfolk? What would you like Norfolk to be known for? In one to three words, tell us what you envision for the future.
By 2050, Norfolk will be… (tell us what you think in as many words as you would like!)
Help us shape the next 25 years of Norfolk!
What are your thoughts and ideas for improvement on the following Plan Topics? Housing; Placemaking and Walkability; Mobility and Transportation; Cultural and Historic Resources; Parks and the Environment; Economic Development
Weigh in on any or all topics of interest!
Housing Housing costs are rising nationwide, and Norfolk is no exception. Where and how could the city develop to accommodate more housing supply? What other policies might help keep residents in place and invite in new Norfolkians?
1. What are your top priorities for housing in your neighborhood in the next 10 years? For example, climate resilient housing; resilient utility assistance; zoning changes to allow granny flats; etc.
Give us up to three ideas!
2. What is something in your neighborhood that you are proud of, and you would like to see more of in Norfolk? For example, great neighborhood parks; walkability; a very active community; etc.
Give us up to three ideas!
Placemaking and Walkability
Placemaking and walkability is mainly concerned with what we call “urban design” – the way our city is physically designed to make pleasant, people-oriented places.
1. What do we need to add to our streets to make them safer and more walkable? For example, more street trees for shade; more transit options closer to where people live; traffic calming at key intersections; etc.
Give us up to three ideas!
2. What improvements do you think will make Norfolk more pleasant and people-oriented, place to walk around, gather with your neighbors? For example, more meaningful public art on the streets, more youth-oriented spaces, neighborhoods with local retail & services, etc.
Give us up to three ideas!
Mobility and Transportation
Prompt: As we think about our favorite places, we need to make sure we can get to them. Mobility is not only about cars – it is the whole network for how Norfolkians get around the city to where they work, live, shop, and play. Light rail, bikes, walking, and other modes of travel help us better connect to our city and each other.
1. Thinking on improvements that can be implemented within the next 10 years, what would help you get around Norfolk and your neighborhood better? For example, improved bus routes and frequency; more incentives for carpooling; safer pedestrian connections; etc.
Give us up to three ideas!
2. By 2050, what improvements could help Norfolk become more connected, more walkable, and safer for all users? Where specifically could these projects go? For example, protected bike lanes in certain areas; additional trails; extend the light rail; etc.
Give us up to three ideas!
Cultural and Historic Resources
Norfolk’s historic buildings, spaces, and landmarks are part of the identity of our city. So are our artists, makers, and cultural producers! How can we best preserve and celebrate our heritage while accommodating future change?
1. In the next 5 years, how can Norfolk better leverage its cultural and historic assets? For example, showcase Norfolk history; preserve unique neighborhood identities; creative activities for children and teenagers; etc.
Give us up to three ideas!
2. How can we build more opportunities for Norfolk’s artists, makers, and cultural producers into the physical environment of the city? For example, integrate public art into our streets; revitalize historic performing venues & make them affordable, create tours; etc.
Give us up to three ideas!
Parks and the Environment
What can we do to combat our increasing citywide issues with flooding, and get smarter about living with water? How can we make Norfolk’s parks even better, and help our neighbors access them more easily? From the individual block, to our neighborhoods, to the whole city, let’s find ways to make sure new growth and development play well with our natural environment.
1. What are some improvements or initiatives that might make Norfolk greener and more sustainable? For example, more public access to the waterfront; expansion of the trail network; more nature-based infrastructure; etc.
Give us up to three ideas!
2. What are your thoughts on how we can work towards a more resilient Norfolk by 2050? For example, restore living shorelines; improve drainage systems; create stormwater parks; etc.
Give us three ideas!
Economic Development
We don’t just live in Norfolk, we work here too! Are there ways we can think about growing the industries we have to benefit more of our neighbors? How can we make sure jobs in our city benefit those who live here, and bring economic opportunities for all? What support can we give to our entrepreneurs and small businesses?
1. How can we better support Norfolk’s entrepreneurs and small businesses in the next 5 years? For example, provide support creating business plans; create entrepreneurship opportunities for young professionals; provide grants to assist small businesses; etc.
Give us up to three ideas!
2. How can we grow healthy industries that provide jobs to Norfolkians? For example, create mixed-use developments on existing brownfield land; bring transit to target areas; attract businesses that provide specialized training within the first year of hiring; etc.
Give us up to three ideas!
Thank you for participating in our survey.
What is a disruptive statement?
A statement
containing personal attacks, profanity, commercial advertising or content which is entirely off-topic, and/or
from a user who has falsified their registration information with the intent to post multiple statements in one topic or to misrepresent their city of residence.
Why does Open Town Hall monitor for disruptive statements?
OpenGov is a non-partisan company dedicated to building public trust in government and broadening civic engagement. Many people will not participate if the forum has disruptive statements.
Does Open Town Hall find many disruptive statements?
No. Disruptive statements are quite rare - less than one in a thousand statements are disruptive.
What does Open Town Hall do if they find a disruptive statement?
Open Town Hall
moves the statement to a different web page,
describes the problem in an email to the author, and
invites the author to change the statement.
Does Open Town Hall ever edit or delete statements?
Never. Only the statement's author can edit or delete a statement.
If I disagree with someone, can I post my opinion?
Yes. Open Town Hall encourages open dialog which, by necessity, includes disagreements.
How do I know if my statement is a 'disagreement' or a 'personal attack'?
Personal attacks are disparaging remarks which impute motives to a person's action. Statements of fact, or of your own opinion are generally not personal attacks.
Here are some examples of statements which are, and are not, personal attacks.
Personal Attack
Not A Personal Attack
He lied.
He said he did X, but in fact he did Y.
She misrepresented the truth.
I don't trust her.
He is greedy.
He is making plenty of money.
It is merely a power play on her part.
She will announce her candidacy soon.
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