Club Meeting – 9/12/2023

George Compo introduced Rich Meredith, his son-in-law, who has been an integral part of this project. Rich gave an extensive overview of the Lambert's Point project. It is a four-city block project on Hampton Boulevard near Old Dominion University.   The project is a $40 million, 120,000-square-foot development that will be anchored by a Lidl grocery store and will feature a mix of restaurants, retail shops and other businesses.

Compo Construction partnered with Clear Creek Bros. of Charlotte, NC, on the project. Rich shared a virtual video of the Railyard including green space, plenty of parking, open air space, and the reuse of several historic buildings. Several retailers are already confirmed for the Railyard buildings including Nothing Bundt Cakes, Chicken Salad Chick, Sushi King, Jimmy John’s, a Domoishi ramen restaurant, a Pilates studio and an ABC store. In one of the historic buildings a restaurant called the Biscuit Belly, specializing in breakfast, has signed on. Other entertainment and restaurants are in the works. 

There will be an all surface parking lot built with an impressive underground stormwater retention system.

Rich gave an overview of the history of the land. Due to the historic building use, they were awarded state and federal tax credit for historic preservation of the buildings. They have used those funds for many construction elements in the project, including the window restoration and reglazing. 

During the clearing and construction phase of the Hogshire Building they where surprised to discover an extremely large object the size of a holding tank. He said you just never know what you're going to find in these old projects. 

In regards to support from the City of Norfolk, Rich explained that the City's contribution came in the way of selling land at - below market price - based on the mixed use and reuse of the land and buildings. They also received contributions from State Enterprise Funds and State Grants. 

He explained entry into the development will be easier with the traffic light installed at Hampton Boulevard and 26th Street. The entrances from 25th and 24th street will be right-in, right-out only to aid in traffic flow on Hampton Boulevard.

The Railyard at Lambert's Point will be a great addition to this section of Norfolk. 

Club Business 

• Update on Wednesday's Golf Tournament. Remember its a fund raiser for Polo & Rotary Charities. 
• Please remember to pay your dues. If you haven't, you'll be getting a call.  
• The next Community Service Project is for Mercy Medical Angels on Sept. 29th at 9 am. Meet at the Panera in Ghent.  We will be distributing packets of information on the charitable transportation services to local business. Mercy Medical Angels is a Norfolk Rotary Charities grantee. Please sign up today! 
• President Jeff asked Gary to inform The Club on a new initiative in Norfolk.  Gary, a Public School Educator for 37 years, explained the ADR (All District Reads) program. Norfolk has 43 elementary schools, the Norfolk Rotary Club will place stickers in a book titled "Ways to Make Sunshine" which will be given to every student. This program has been successfully conducted in many communities; Gary has first hand experience of it's impact in the Northumberland community.  The concept is simple. Give every elementary student the same book to read, together with family and friends and what happens is conversations. Reading equals relationship in our community. More to come on how you can get involved.  

Fines/Happy Bucks:

Fine for for anyone not wearing a Rotary pin. 

Happy bucks from Barb for a recent 4K mile Montana trip. 

Happy bucks from Sharon for her daughter becoming a Rotarian.

Happy bucks from Marilyn for her 39th anniversary trip to Asheville. 

Happy bucks from Jeff for being appointed the HR Pride President. 

Happy bucks from Ben for a 46K cross country US and Canada trip. 

Happy bucks from Dianna for the Virginia Arts Festival's successful Beyond Van Gogh exhibit in Virginia Beach.  

Happy bucks from LauraBeth for her visit to Beyond Van Gogh, and for her son's recent start at TCC. 

Happy bucks from Joey inviting everyone to join the Master Gardeners session on ZOOM. 

Happy bucks from John for the JMU vs UVA game.

Happy bucks for knowing and calling Lorna friend!