NORFOLK, Va. — The shopping center at the corner of Church Street and Brambleton Avenue has sat practically abandoned for the past year.
It used to house a Save-A-Lot and a Family Dollar; however, the Family Dollar burned down last year, leaving neighborhood residents in a food desert.
“Rough because you’ve got to go all the way on Tidewater Drive to the Walmart to even eat," said Anita, who's lived in the St. Paul's area for decades.
Anita said the neighborhood has struggled without a grocery store nearby.
“I have a car, so it's not that hard for me. But, other people that don’t have a car, it’s hard for them," she explained.
Another St. Paul's resident, Maya, said that ever since the fire at Family Dollar, the community has come together to help each other out.
"...Some people will just stop by to help people get groceries," Maya said.
But now, Norfolk City Council members are looking for ways to bring new life to the area.
Council members submitted a $5 million grant application for a potential project they're calling “The Village.” The hope of The Village is to bring more food and retail options to the St. Paul’s community.
The city’s Director of Economic Development Sean Washington presented the vision at Tuesday night’s work session. He said phase 1 would include a 31,000-square-foot grocery store, a 12,000-square-foot rebuild of the Family Dollar, and a 25,000-square-foot job training center.
Washington also discussed the possibility of an 80,000-square-foot "Hub Empowerment Center."
“To help out with all things business enterprise and potential office space for, not just Urban League offices, but other small businesses that may look to have some sort of incubator opportunities within this corridor," Washington explained.
Reconstruction of the Family Dollar is already underway. A spokesperson for the property told 13News Now last month that the store could re-open this winter.
To watch the full city council work session, click here.