The unofficial online home for fans of the Old Dominion University Monarchs. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

(07-10-2015 07:26 AM)Monarch Blue Wrote:  

(07-10-2015 06:58 AM)monarx Wrote:  The arts district has been a citizens initiative led by people like Jesse Sacicia (sp?) and Drew Urgunsky at Grow. City council got on that train late, after it gained momentum. Granby St. peaked 10 years ago and other than Urban Outfitters has seen few exceptional additions. Many large businesses have left and been replaced by a few small shops. The grocery store leaving really hurt. Compare that to Town Center which has brought in a number of businesses and restaurants. I know we don't want a bunch of chain stores and the like on Granby, but some national investment wouldn't hurt. Hopefully all these apartments will fill up and bring in businesses. He also led the charge for the much too small to be any good and over priced conference center being built now, is watching while VB builds a swanky arena that will be the death bell for Scope, saw Clark Nexson leave the city, swung and missed on Stone Brewery, Waterside has been planned for rehab forever and sits idle. Worse, he supported the tolls on the tunnels, the public school system is a travesty, crime around ODU is an ongoing issue etc. Not to mention all the corruption by city workers. And I'm one who is pretty bullish on Norfolk and think it has a ton of upside. Again, not a Fraim's hater at all, just would like to see someone hungry to make things better rather than sit contently in past glory.

Good comments. I think Fraim has done an excellent job; however, his time has come and gone. It's time for change in Norfolk. I'm not sure McCabe is the guy. They need somebody with a lot of energy and drive who can bring some excitement to the city. I too am bullish on Norfolk. Tons of potential there.

My vote is for Dustin. Is he a resident?

(07-10-2015 06:58 AM)monarx Wrote:  The arts district has been a citizens initiative led by people like Jesse Sacicia (sp?) and Drew Urgunsky at Grow. City council got on that train late, after it gained momentum. Granby St. peaked 10 years ago and other than Urban Outfitters has seen few exceptional additions. Many large businesses have left and been replaced by a few small shops. The grocery store leaving really hurt. Compare that to Town Center which has brought in a number of businesses and restaurants. I know we don't want a bunch of chain stores and the like on Granby, but some national investment wouldn't hurt. Hopefully all these apartments will fill up and bring in businesses. He also led the charge for the much too small to be any good and over priced conference center being built now, is watching while VB builds a swanky arena that will be the death bell for Scope, saw Clark Nexson leave the city, swung and missed on Stone Brewery, Waterside has been planned for rehab forever and sits idle. Worse, he supported the tolls on the tunnels, the public school system is a travesty, crime around ODU is an ongoing issue etc. Not to mention all the corruption by city workers. And I'm one who is pretty bullish on Norfolk and think it has a ton of upside. Again, not a Fraim's hater at all, just would like to see someone hungry to make things better rather than sit contently in past glory.

It is true that the arts district and a lot of the downtown vibrance has been driven by Grow and others, as well as the downtown council, but the city has made the right moves to allow that atmosphere to flourish. As far as peaking 10 years ago, I am going to assume you don't live downtown, because I do, and can say that Granby is a much more vibrant place today than it was then. I think you may be confusing the party scene, because that peaked 10 years ago, but in terms of livability, there has never been a better time to live downtown during my lifetime.

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I second painted's request to move this thread. What in the world does it have to do with ODU or ODU sports which is what Lion's Den is about. Right?

(07-10-2015 09:28 AM)84Monarch Wrote:  I second painted's request to move this thread. What in the world does it have to do with ODU or ODU sports which is what Lion's Den is about. Right?

The choices Norfolk makes to improve (or not) directly impact ODU.

(07-10-2015 09:17 AM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(07-10-2015 06:58 AM)monarx Wrote:  The arts district has been a citizens initiative led by people like Jesse Sacicia (sp?) and Drew Urgunsky at Grow. City council got on that train late, after it gained momentum. Granby St. peaked 10 years ago and other than Urban Outfitters has seen few exceptional additions. Many large businesses have left and been replaced by a few small shops. The grocery store leaving really hurt. Compare that to Town Center which has brought in a number of businesses and restaurants. I know we don't want a bunch of chain stores and the like on Granby, but some national investment wouldn't hurt. Hopefully all these apartments will fill up and bring in businesses. He also led the charge for the much too small to be any good and over priced conference center being built now, is watching while VB builds a swanky arena that will be the death bell for Scope, saw Clark Nexson leave the city, swung and missed on Stone Brewery, Waterside has been planned for rehab forever and sits idle. Worse, he supported the tolls on the tunnels, the public school system is a travesty, crime around ODU is an ongoing issue etc. Not to mention all the corruption by city workers. And I'm one who is pretty bullish on Norfolk and think it has a ton of upside. Again, not a Fraim's hater at all, just would like to see someone hungry to make things better rather than sit contently in past glory.

It is true that the arts district and a lot of the downtown vibrance has been driven by Grow and others, as well as the downtown council, but the city has made the right moves to allow that atmosphere to flourish. As far as peaking 10 years ago, I am going to assume you don't live downtown, because I do, and can say that Granby is a much more vibrant place today than it was then. I think you may be confusing the party scene, because that peaked 10 years ago, but in terms of livability, there has never been a better time to live downtown during my lifetime.

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I no longer live downtown, or even in Norfolk, as work moved me from the area. I used to live in Freemason two years ago. I just have a love for the city and want to see it live up to its potential. Norfolk (and ODU) have so much going for it but it just never seems to make it over the hump. I make a drive through downtown every time I visit just to keep up with developments etc. Was just there this weekend. I saw Groove Records, the grilled cheese place, ate at Toast etc. Those are great, but we could use some retail (yes national retail like a Crate and Barrel or something) and more businesses. But to your point, yes, I am basing my opinion on number of people on the street frequenting businesses, bars etc. I loved living downtown and agree that from a resident perspective its probably as good as its ever been.

(07-10-2015 08:43 AM)paintedblue2 Wrote:  I am requesting a Moderator to please move this thread to Off Topic. I believe the intent of this thread was a discussion on how McCabe might affect ODU. Instead, as usual when politics is brought up, it has become a thread for people to grind their assorted axes, which should relegate it to OT territory.

I mean, we're talking about an election between two political figures and how it'll affect the area, I'm not sure how it couldn't get political.

(07-10-2015 09:56 AM)ODUDrunkard13 Wrote:  

(07-10-2015 09:28 AM)84Monarch Wrote:  I second painted's request to move this thread. What in the world does it have to do with ODU or ODU sports which is what Lion's Den is about. Right?

The choices Norfolk makes to improve (or not) directly impact ODU.

A thriving downtown, a safe city, beautification, recreational opportunities and a better local school system (potential pipeline of high quality students) directly affect athletic, student and professor recruiting for ODU. The mayor has a huge impact on all of those areas.

Not saying the sheriff is not a big supporter but don't confuse a paid service (BW's guard) is as "support" in and of itself.

It should be noted that the mayor of Norfolk (or any city in Virginia, except Richmond) the mayor has no more actual power than any other member of City Council except that he chairs the City Council meetings and is the spokeman for the City. He cannot unilaterally give orders or make decisions to support (or not) ODU.

(07-10-2015 09:17 AM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(07-10-2015 06:58 AM)monarx Wrote:  The arts district has been a citizens initiative led by people like Jesse Sacicia (sp?) and Drew Urgunsky at Grow. City council got on that train late, after it gained momentum. Granby St. peaked 10 years ago and other than Urban Outfitters has seen few exceptional additions. Many large businesses have left and been replaced by a few small shops. The grocery store leaving really hurt. Compare that to Town Center which has brought in a number of businesses and restaurants. I know we don't want a bunch of chain stores and the like on Granby, but some national investment wouldn't hurt. Hopefully all these apartments will fill up and bring in businesses. He also led the charge for the much too small to be any good and over priced conference center being built now, is watching while VB builds a swanky arena that will be the death bell for Scope, saw Clark Nexson leave the city, swung and missed on Stone Brewery, Waterside has been planned for rehab forever and sits idle. Worse, he supported the tolls on the tunnels, the public school system is a travesty, crime around ODU is an ongoing issue etc. Not to mention all the corruption by city workers. And I'm one who is pretty bullish on Norfolk and think it has a ton of upside. Again, not a Fraim's hater at all, just would like to see someone hungry to make things better rather than sit contently in past glory.

It is true that the arts district and a lot of the downtown vibrance has been driven by Grow and others, as well as the downtown council, but the city has made the right moves to allow that atmosphere to flourish. As far as peaking 10 years ago, I am going to assume you don't live downtown, because I do, and can say that Granby is a much more vibrant place today than it was then. I think you may be confusing the party scene, because that peaked 10 years ago, but in terms of livability, there has never been a better time to live downtown during my lifetime.

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But if DON"T live downtown (like I do) the rest of the City has gone down the tubes.

(07-10-2015 12:17 PM)reagan Wrote:  

(07-10-2015 09:17 AM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(07-10-2015 06:58 AM)monarx Wrote:  The arts district has been a citizens initiative led by people like Jesse Sacicia (sp?) and Drew Urgunsky at Grow. City council got on that train late, after it gained momentum. Granby St. peaked 10 years ago and other than Urban Outfitters has seen few exceptional additions. Many large businesses have left and been replaced by a few small shops. The grocery store leaving really hurt. Compare that to Town Center which has brought in a number of businesses and restaurants. I know we don't want a bunch of chain stores and the like on Granby, but some national investment wouldn't hurt. Hopefully all these apartments will fill up and bring in businesses. He also led the charge for the much too small to be any good and over priced conference center being built now, is watching while VB builds a swanky arena that will be the death bell for Scope, saw Clark Nexson leave the city, swung and missed on Stone Brewery, Waterside has been planned for rehab forever and sits idle. Worse, he supported the tolls on the tunnels, the public school system is a travesty, crime around ODU is an ongoing issue etc. Not to mention all the corruption by city workers. And I'm one who is pretty bullish on Norfolk and think it has a ton of upside. Again, not a Fraim's hater at all, just would like to see someone hungry to make things better rather than sit contently in past glory.

It is true that the arts district and a lot of the downtown vibrance has been driven by Grow and others, as well as the downtown council, but the city has made the right moves to allow that atmosphere to flourish. As far as peaking 10 years ago, I am going to assume you don't live downtown, because I do, and can say that Granby is a much more vibrant place today than it was then. I think you may be confusing the party scene, because that peaked 10 years ago, but in terms of livability, there has never been a better time to live downtown during my lifetime.

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But if DON"T live downtown (like I do) the rest of the City has gone down the tubes.

I'm not sure what you would consider my neighborhood, Colonial Place. I certainly wouldn't consider it Ghent or downtown. And It's thriving. East Beach is another area that has seen a lot of revitalization. It's not just all downtown.

(07-10-2015 12:17 PM)reagan Wrote:  But if DON"T live downtown (like I do) the rest of the City has gone down the tubes.

Hardly. I live in Camellia Shores and things are clipping along just fine over here thank you very much. We may not have the economic impetus like Downtown, Ghent, or West Ghent but we are doing just fine. The streets are clean and smooth, the trash is picked up every Friday, and save for the random yahoo on Azalea Garden Road my neighborhood is quiet. To paraphrase Mark Twain: "The reports of the demise of Norfolk have been greatly exaggerated."

(07-10-2015 12:14 PM)reagan Wrote:  It should be noted that the mayor of Norfolk (or any city in Virginia, except Richmond) the mayor has no more actual power than any other member of City Council except that he chairs the City Council meetings and is the spokeman for the City. He cannot unilaterally give orders or make decisions to support (or not) ODU.

That's a nice civics lesson. Clearly you know little about how the city - or its personalities - actually work.

(07-10-2015 10:08 AM)monarx Wrote:  

(07-10-2015 09:17 AM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(07-10-2015 06:58 AM)monarx Wrote:  The arts district has been a citizens initiative led by people like Jesse Sacicia (sp?) and Drew Urgunsky at Grow. City council got on that train late, after it gained momentum. Granby St. peaked 10 years ago and other than Urban Outfitters has seen few exceptional additions. Many large businesses have left and been replaced by a few small shops. The grocery store leaving really hurt. Compare that to Town Center which has brought in a number of businesses and restaurants. I know we don't want a bunch of chain stores and the like on Granby, but some national investment wouldn't hurt. Hopefully all these apartments will fill up and bring in businesses. He also led the charge for the much too small to be any good and over priced conference center being built now, is watching while VB builds a swanky arena that will be the death bell for Scope, saw Clark Nexson leave the city, swung and missed on Stone Brewery, Waterside has been planned for rehab forever and sits idle. Worse, he supported the tolls on the tunnels, the public school system is a travesty, crime around ODU is an ongoing issue etc. Not to mention all the corruption by city workers. And I'm one who is pretty bullish on Norfolk and think it has a ton of upside. Again, not a Fraim's hater at all, just would like to see someone hungry to make things better rather than sit contently in past glory.

It is true that the arts district and a lot of the downtown vibrance has been driven by Grow and others, as well as the downtown council, but the city has made the right moves to allow that atmosphere to flourish. As far as peaking 10 years ago, I am going to assume you don't live downtown, because I do, and can say that Granby is a much more vibrant place today than it was then. I think you may be confusing the party scene, because that peaked 10 years ago, but in terms of livability, there has never been a better time to live downtown during my lifetime.

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I no longer live downtown, or even in Norfolk, as work moved me from the area. I used to live in Freemason two years ago. I just have a love for the city and want to see it live up to its potential. Norfolk (and ODU) have so much going for it but it just never seems to make it over the hump. I make a drive through downtown every time I visit just to keep up with developments etc. Was just there this weekend. I saw Groove Records, the grilled cheese place, ate at Toast etc. Those are great, but we could use some retail (yes national retail like a Crate and Barrel or something) and more businesses. But to your point, yes, I am basing my opinion on number of people on the street frequenting businesses, bars etc. I loved living downtown and agree that from a resident perspective its probably as good as its ever been.

I disagree about the retail. That is what the mall and Town Center are for. A grocery store or market would be nice, and I think we will see that happen soon either through the vibrant spaces program or a national chain moving in. The number of people moving to the area with all the new apartments being built will make it hard to ignore the opportunity there for the right type of place. I also think we will see more local boutique retail within the next year, and we have seen about 10 new restaurants in the past year already. Grow has had an AMAZING impact. Kudos to them and others for taking action in their community, and to the city for following their lead and making it as easy as possible for those folks to make changes.

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(07-10-2015 12:14 PM)reagan Wrote:  It should be noted that the mayor of Norfolk (or any city in Virginia, except Richmond) the mayor has no more actual power than any other member of City Council except that he chairs the City Council meetings and is the spokeman for the City. He cannot unilaterally give orders or make decisions to support (or not) ODU.

This is laughable. Technically it may be correct, but Fraim and Sessoms have a ton of political power, far more than any council members.

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I like Fraim but I feel like someone new in charge could revitalize the city. Just like when Sessoms took over Virginia Beach. He took the city from being Norfolk's suburbs to the alpha city in Hampton Roads.

(07-10-2015 02:28 PM)First time Long time Wrote:  

(07-10-2015 12:14 PM)reagan Wrote:  It should be noted that the mayor of Norfolk (or any city in Virginia, except Richmond) the mayor has no more actual power than any other member of City Council except that he chairs the City Council meetings and is the spokeman for the City. He cannot unilaterally give orders or make decisions to support (or not) ODU.

That's a nice civics lesson. Clearly you know little about how the city - or its personalities - actually work.

I know a lot more than you think. Did you know that Norfolk is the only city in Tidewater that has an automatic water rate increase each year? The other cities require City Council approve for a rate increase. Or that Norfolk pulls money from the Water Fund (which is an Enterprise Fund) to pay for other services? Do you know what an Enterprise fund is?

Sorry I haven't responded earlier. I've been re-reading some articles about all the ODU students who have been assaulted/robbed near campus. Now what were you saying about the great job Fraim is doing?

If MaCabe runs, he will lose to Fraim. Not because Fraim is doing a great job. But McCabe is a white law enforcement officer in a town that is almost half African American. Right now, a white law enforcement officer is toxic in the African American community. Fraim will win the African American vote, and will also pick up the downtown, Ghent and other east side neighborhoods to win. Friam's only real challenge would be if an African American ran for office. Not a Paul Riddick, who is Norfolk's version of Al Sharpton, but someone who is like Obama. Obama has been a disaster as President, but he is a master campaigner. He would get the African American vote, favorable attention from the news media and liberal white vote. And with Norfolk being a very liberal city, that's a huge majority.

(07-13-2015 08:01 AM)reagan Wrote:  Sorry I haven't responded earlier. I've been re-reading some articles about all the ODU students who have been assaulted/robbed near campus. Now what were you saying about the great job Fraim is doing?

How is Fraim responsible for ODU students getting robbed?
That is on the individual committing the crime, the campus police, the Norfolk police, Rhonda Harris and (ultimately) Pres. Broderick. They are the ones responsible for keeping the campus safe. Fraim isn't responsible for overworking and understaffing the ODU police.

(07-13-2015 08:01 AM)reagan Wrote:  Friam's only real challenge would be if an African American ran for office... someone who is like Obama.

Because African American Harvard law graduates turned constitutional law professors are a dime a dozen in Hampton Roads. Are you 17?

And you might learn something here: http://hamptonroads.com/2014/04/muhammad...challenger