NFK2050 Online Engagement: Phase 1 - Listening

Help us shape the next 25 years of Norfolk! What are your hopes and dreams for the future of Norfolk? What are your thoughts and ideas for improvement on specific Plan Topics?

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60 registered responses

	Response Count
23502	3.3%	2
23503	8.3%	5
23504	10.0%	6
23505	13.3%	8
23507	5.0%	3
23508	11.7%	7
23509	11.7%	7
23510	3.3%	2
23513	5.0%	3
23517	10.0%	6
23518	13.3%	8
23523	1.7%	1
Other	3.3%	2

chris wilkening in Ward 2

February 21, 2024, 6:49 PM

What is your zip code?
- 23517
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.
- great home
- resilient
- example 2 world
By 2050, Norfolk will be… (tell us what you think in as many words as you would like!)
Either on the way to being an even better city one ready for a future of global warming and internatioal econimic competition or on the decline.
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!
- I live in Ghent and would like to seem more infill and more dense building, the more people in an area the more fun amenities the area can support.
- With more housing we also need some to be lower income, I want to live in an area with people from all walks of life.
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!
- I choose to move to Ghent 1 year ago, it has been great. I would love even more walk-ability and bikeability. Driving should be a last resort for day to day activities where you live.
- The one thing I cant directly get to from Ghent is a nature park, we have several parks but nothing like the Noland Trail or Sandy Bottom.
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!
- more and better bike lanes
- extend light rail to ghent, ODU the base
- make public spaces designed for people not for cars.
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!
- parks are good
- free public events, places to bump into your neighbors while enjoying outdoor events
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!
- fewer coal trains at peak drive times
- easier connection for pedestrians and bike between ghent (and west ghent) and down town, make neon district more inviting to pedestrians and bikes
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!
- extend light rail to ghent, odu, the base.
- protected bike lanes running north south and east west along the citys major roads
- make roads for the movement of people not just a place for cars
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!
No response.
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!
No response.
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!
- more access to water front
- more benches and picnic tables in parks
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!
- create parks in areas that commonly flood
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!
- education, continue to support local universities.
- make norfolk a place people want to live in, cant hire good local talent if no one wants to live here
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!
- help make areas people can live and work in
- make it easy for people to get around, extend light rail to places people live and work

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What is your zip code?

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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.