NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander said redevelopments and upgrades are coming to venues across the city, including MacArthur Center and Military Circle.
It was all part of his annual State of the City address, where he spoke to a jam-packed room in Downtown Norfolk on Friday.
The mayor laid out not only where the city is, but more importantly, where it's going.
Redevelopment and Transformations
Mayor Alexander announced MacArthur Center and Military Circle will both become mix-used properties: places for people to work, stay and play.
"We envision a dynamic of bustling with life and vitality centered around community sports and residential and creative office spaces," he stated. "This will transform Norfolk's landscape, fostering a vibrant live-work-play mixed-use community for generations."
RELATED: Norfolk's mayor proposes MacArthur Center to become mixed-use community with hotels and more
He also announced a new development at the old Greyhound bus station in the city's Neon Arts District, where it will be renamed "Houndstooth."
"Houndstooth will feature over 220 residential units, and will include a parking garage, gym, recreation room, and a rooftop deck," he said. "This development represents a $35 million capital investment, creating over 300 construction jobs."
City leaders will also add acoustic and sound improvements to Chrysler Hall, Scope Arena will soon have increased seating and luxury boxes, and the cruise terminal at Nauticus will receive major updates to keep people visiting the city.
Crime falls, and a look to help the homeless
In his State of the City, Alexander touted the city's progress with decreases in crime.
"Our investment in innovative technology, community engagement, and code enforcement, along with focused recruitment efforts, have led to a reduction in crime, a net gain in sworn officers, and a safer city," he stated "Violent crime is down by 24%, homicides by 33%, and stolen vehicles by 20%."
The mayor thanked Norfolk Police Chief Mark Talbot, as well as other law enforcement officers, sheriff's deputies, park rangers and community partners.
Mayor Alexander's State of the City also addressed the housing crisis. He announced a multi-agency task force focused on housing stability, outreach, prevention, empowerment and education, for homelessness.
He added that the city is enhancing "The Center," Norfolk's emergency shelter for unhoused single adults, while "the Norfolk Eviction Prevention Center provided rental and utility assistance to nearly 300 households, utilizing over $700,000 from the Virginia Eviction Reduction Pilot Program and HUD community development block grants to prevent evictions citywide" in the last year alone.
Alexander said with these projects and improvements, Norfolk is set to leap into a better future.
“Let's build on these victories and ensure Norfolk's winning spirit prevails for generations to come,” the mayor declared.
Read Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander's full State of the City address below or by clicking here.