News Article
Over Sixty Interviewed on the NorthFork Project
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 27, 2009
Over Sixty Interviewed on the NorthFork Project
The NorthFork Riverwalk Development Project completed an important step as part of the Master Plan effort. On February 23 and 24. HDR Engineering Inc. and S.B Friedman staff interviewed over 60 individuals through a series of twelve sessions. Besides the questions listed below the HDR and S.B Friedman staff asked questions like “What do you think of when you put an image of Norfolk on a postcard?”,“What would you like to do here that you go elsewhere for?”, and “What qualities does the community have that are important for current and future residents?”
Who currently uses the river? How do they use it?
What positive qualities of Norfolk should the NorthFork Development Project capitalize upon?
How do you envision residents and visitors using the NorthFork Development?
Are there any specific uses that would not be appropriate for the NorthFork Development?
What specific features are necessary for a successful NorthFork Development Project?
In addition to collecting information from participants HDR staff also took the opportunity to take pictures of the NorthFork riverfront corridor to help prepare for the community visioning sessions scheduled for April 16th. The next phase of the master plan effort involving the community includes two visioning sessions. These sessions will incorporate the results from the interview sessions along with the case study of other communities that have completed redevelopment efforts. Individuals will gather around tables and will interact with other participants, maps, pictures, and other information to start developing a vision statement for the NorthFork Development project. Goals and priorities will be initially development that will lead into the economic feasibility phase of the project. An extended luncheon visioning session with steering committee and key community stakeholders will be followed by a general public session in the early evening. Citizens are encouraged to attend representing different organizations, e.g., youth organizations, service clubs, entertainment and recreation enthusiasts, and community and businesses leaders, as they will be helping to define the vision statement and goals for the project.
Citizens can still provide their comments concerning the interview questions by sending an email to info@NorthForkNE.com, or postings comments on the project’s website at:
http://www.northforkne.com/blog/press/northfork-river-corridor-possible-features/
The NorthFork Riverwalk Development Project Master Plan effort was kicked-off on January 27th with a lunch, Steering Committee meeting, 2-hour tour of the North Fork river corridor, logo design award, National Park Service presentation and a public forum with panel discussion with HDR and S.B. Friedman staff members. The Master Plan process includes four contractual tasks with HDR currently under contract to complete the first two tasks projected for completion in May 2009. The NorthFork Master Plan will integrate community input with case studies from development projects from other communities, a economic feasibility analysis, and a corridor design that is expected to be incorporated into the City’s Comprehensive Plan. For further information on the Master Plan contractual tasks visit the following website address: http://www.visioning2026.com/NorthFork/HDR/2008-05-23DraftScope(withoutTrackedChanges).pdf
Steering Committee members are looking for fund raising as well as community service activities (e.g., Keep the North Fork Beautiful) to bring more attention to this valuable and underutilized resource and support a NorthFork Riverfront rebirth. Contact Steering Committee through the website or Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce Office, 402-371-4862.
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Mark Hall, Steering Committee Chair
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