A Sampling of Norfolk’s Mixed-use Projects:

Harbor Heights (Completed 2007)
A -15 story mixed-use building with 99 flats and luxury condominiums. A European-style market , the Market at Harbor Heights, is at street level with elevator access for residents. The Tidewater Community College administrative offices fill the office component.

The Franklin (Completed 2008)
A former city facility transformed into a luxurious, 20 unit, $25 million dollar mixed-use development that features custom floor plans, street front retail, center court Japanese water feature.

201 Twenty One (Completed 2009)
A $40 million dollar luxury apartment and retail development called 201 at 21 planned for the old Sear’s property on 21st Street

Broad Creek
In Broad Creek – Hampton Roads first mixed-use, mixed-income community - construction is complete on 400 rental units and 70 homes. Broad Creek Village, a mixed-use residential and retail development designed in accord with the New Urbanism and consisting of 5,000 square feet of retail space and19 for sale residential units is under development.

What is NEW URBANISM?

Please visit www.NewUrbanism.org for more detailed information concerning the principles of New Urbanism as well as the organization’s work and findings. Below, are benefits of New Urbanism development as stated on their website.

1. BENEFITS TO RESIDENTS
Higher quality of life; Better places to live, work, & play; Higher, more stable property values; Less traffic congestion & less driving; Healthier lifestyle with more walking, and less stress; Close proximity to main street retail & services; Close proximity to bike trails, parks, and nature; Pedestrian friendly communities offer more opportunities to get to know others in the neighborhood and town, resulting in meaningful relationships with more people, and a friendlier town; More freedom and independence to children, elderly, and the poor in being able to get to jobs, recreation, and services without the need for a car or someone to drive them; Great savings to residents and school boards in reduced busing costs from children being able to walk or bicycle to neighborhood schools; More diversity and smaller, unique shops and services with local owners who are involved in community; Big savings by driving less, and owning less cars; Less ugly, congested sprawl to deal with daily; Better sense of place and community identity with more unique architecture; More open space to enjoy that will remain open space; More efficient use of tax money with less spent on spread out utilities and roads

2. BENEFITS TO BUSINESSES
Increased sales due to more foot traffic & people spending less on cars and gas; More profits due to spending less on advertising and large signs; Better lifestyle by living above shop in live-work units - saves the stressful & costly commute; Economies of scale in marketing due to close proximity and cooperation with other local businesses; Smaller spaces promote small local business incubation; Lower rents due to smaller spaces & smaller parking lots; Healthier lifestyle due to more walking and being near healthier restaurants; More community involvement from being part of community and knowing residents

3. BENEFITS TO DEVELOPERS
More income potential from higher density mixed-use projects due to more leasable square footage, more sales per square foot, and higher property values and selling prices; Faster approvals in communities that have adopted smart growth principles resulting in cost / time savings; Cost savings in parking facilities in mixed-use properties due to sharing of spaces throughout the day and night, resulting in less duplication in providing parking; Less need for parking facilities due to mix of residences and commercial uses within walking distance of each other; Less impact on roads / traffic, which can result in lower impact fees; Lower cost of utilities due to compact nature of New Urbanism design; Greater acceptance by the public and less resistance from NIMBYS; Faster sell out due to greater acceptance by consumers from a wider product range resulting in wider market share

4. BENEFITS TO MUNICIPALITIES
Stable, appreciating tax base; Less spent per capita on infrastructure and utilities than typical suburban development due to compact, high-density nature of projects; Increased tax base due to more buildings packed into a tighter area; Less traffic congestion due to walkability of design; Less crime and less spent on policing due to the presence of more people day and night; Less resistance from community; Better overall community image and sense of place; Less incentive to sprawl when urban core area is desirable; Easy to install transit where it’s not, and improve it where it is; Greater civic involvement of population leads to better governance