Wards Corner Civic League

The Division of Environmental Storm Water is currently experiencing delays in their sweeping schedule due to the following factors:

• Mechanical/equipment failure
• Long lead times on equipment repairs
• Competition with other entities for qualified commercial driver operators

Due to these ongoing challenges, starting this month (March), they have modified their street sweeping schedule to ensure neighborhoods are completed, at a minimum, once every three (3) months. Wards Corner is scheduled for the first Friday in February, May, August, and November. They will post reminders on Nextdoor when our sweeping day is upcoming.

Please note:

• Mondays will continue to be makeup days for missed areas due to inclement weather.
• Areas with Parking Enforcement signs will continue to be swept monthly, per posted signs.

Although the division understands there is frustration with the street sweeping program, the stormwater utility fee is assessed to all Norfolk residents and businesses. The fee is used exclusively to provide all the City services which reduce flooding and prevent water pollution:

• General maintenance, repair and cleaning of the stormwater infrastructure which includes sweeping, pipes, ditches, stormwater ponds, and 15 pump stations
• Improvements and extensions of our current stormwater system
• Design and construction of new infrastructure
• Unfunded federal and state environmental mandates we must comply with
• Capital projects

The City of Norfolk continues to pride itself on having the most robust street sweeping program in Hampton Roads, even with the current schedule challenges. Rest assured crews are working diligently to remove as much debris from the roadways as possible.

We encourage residents to assist us in these efforts by always keeping the curb and gutter in front of their property free of debris, i.e., leaves, branches, litter, etc., to ensure that rainwater may run, unimpeded, to the stormwater curb inlets which will reduce localized flooding, per City code. Our combined efforts will continue to enhance our city and protect our waterways!

If you would like further information pertaining to the City’s stormwater program, you can visit the division’s website at www.norfolk.gov/stormwater.  

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Before the summer fun, make sure you and your family are ready. Swim lesson registration is now open for preschool, youth and adults. You and your child can learn basic aquatic skills and swimming strokes like the breaststroke and elementary backstroke as well as skills needed to stay safe around water.

Lesson series are $30 for Norfolk residents and $45 for non-residents.

Check out the schedule (Click on Aquatics) and register!

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Unsure if it’s recyclable? The Waste Wizard makes it easy to figure out!

• Search any item.
• Learn what goes in what bin.
• Find locations for special waste drop-off.

It’s never been easier to “Recycle Right!”

Waste Sorting Game!

Do you know what to recycle and what to throw out? Test your recycling skills with this fun and interactive waste sorting game!

Sort materials correctly and win fun items to build your own digital park.

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Norfolk Councilwoman Andria McClellan invites you and your neighbors to attend the 6th Annual Engage Norfolk event on Sunday, March 19th from 11am-2:30pm at the SCOPE Exhibition Hall (downstairs at Scope, free parking is available). The event is free and open to the public; no registration is required. Attendees will be able to visit more than 100 non-profits and city departments, register to vote, learn about valuable city resources and assistance, as well as meet federal, state, and local elected officials and the 2023 candidates for the Virginia House of Delegates and Virginia Senate.

This is a great opportunity to become a more engaged and informed citizen…and it’s a lot of fun with loads of free giveaways!

More information, including a list of currently registered organizations which will have tables, is available at www.engagenorfolk.com.

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The City of Norfolk is committed to using data to help inform decisions and allocate resources. One important source of data is input from residents about their priorities and satisfaction with the services provided.

To provide up-to-date information regarding resident priorities and satisfaction, Norfolk contracted with ETC Institute to conduct a survey of residents. This survey was conducted in the fall of 2022; surveys were sent via the U.S. Postal Service and respondents were given the choice of responding by mail, online, or by telephone. This survey represents a random and statistically valid sample of residents from across the city. ETC Institute monitored responses and followed up to ensure all sections of the city were represented. An opportunity was also provided for residents not included in the random sample to take the survey and express their views. A resident survey is planned to be conducted every two years.

View all results, including interactive charts on Norfolk’s OpenData portal here: https://data.norfolk.gov/stories/s/hgnv-4cex

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After exiting the tunnel, traffic will shift to temporary bridge

NORFOLK, VA. – The HRBT Expansion Project reaches a crucial marine milestone with the completion of a temporary bridge, allowing construction to begin on a new, permanent structure. Motorists traveling on I-64 East (towards Norfolk) should anticipate a shift in traffic at the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel as early as Jan. 28. Both lanes of traffic on I-64 East will shift to the left onto a temporary marine bridge upon exiting the tunnel.

This temporary bridge will allow crews to demolish a portion of the existing bridge to build the new permanent structure in its place. When construction on the new permanent bridge is complete, traffic will shift onto the new bridge, and the temporary bridge will be removed.

The temporary bridge is constructed with steel piles as part of the foundation. Steel piles are well suited for heavy traffic loads, while also making it easier for crews to remove the temporary bridge once traffic is shifted to the permanent bridge. With the new future bridge connecting to the South Island at the same point as the current bridge, bridge construction must be completed in phases to accommodate VDOT’s commitment to maintaining two lanes of travel during peak hours. Safety is our top priority.

It is important that all drivers are patient, obey posted speed limits and drive distraction-free. Please pay attention to the digital message signs for important messages.

The HRBT Expansion Project will expand travel lanes across the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel while increasing safety, easing congestion and improving emergency evacuation readiness. The project will double capacity on I-64 in the cities of Hampton and Norfolk, with the addition of twin two-lane bored tunnels, new marine trestle bridges and bridge and interstate widening. Over 100,000 vehicles cross the HRBT each day during peak season, and the HRBT Expansion Project is an integral part of keeping the region and Virginia moving.  

Please check the project website’s Traffic Alerts page for updates at HRBTexpansion.org.

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Help us expand the city’s tree canopy! Adopt a fruit or nut tree during the annual Jam’n Jamz.

 Saturday, Jan. 28

 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

 Lafayette Park

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With below-freezing temps heading our way, the Department of Utilities shares these tips to help prevent frozen pipes:

• Wrap exposed pipes with insulating material.
• Locate your inside water shut-off valve, if your home has one, and tag it so it’s clearly identifiable. If a frozen pipe bursts, you’ll want to use this valve to stop the water flow and have a plumber make repairs.
• If your house has a crawl space, cover outside vents to prevent winter winds from freezing pipes.
• Keep the garage door closed. Some water pipes are located under concrete garage floors.
• Drip it. Keep water moving with a small trickle.

Have a water or sewer emergency? Contact Utilities’ 24-hour live operator line: 757-823-1000.

If you’re using a space heater, Norfolk Fire-Rescue reminds you to:

• keep them at least three feet away from flammable objects;
• never leave them unattended;
• always unplug when not in use.

We’re also expecting potentially high winds. Be sure to secure loose outdoor items, latch doors and windows, and stay inside, if possible, as the wind chill could dip below zero.

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The City of Norfolk’s aquatics facilities are operating under adjusted hours. The following changes are in effect:

The Northside Indoor Swimming Pool will be open Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.

The Huntersville Community Center Pool will be open Wednesday and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturdays between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Both pools will be closed daily from 1 to 2 p.m.

The Southside Aquatics Center is temporarily closed for necessary maintenance and safety repairs. Hours and dates of operation have been expanded at the Northside and Huntersville pools to reaccommodate classes or open swim availability needs of regular patrons.

Please share the attached flyer with the adjusted hours and daily schedules for the Northside and Huntersville pools with your civic leagues.

You can contact the Parks & Recreation Department at parksrec@norfolk.gov or 757-823-4291 for details on events or courses that may be adjusted as a result of these changes.

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Morris & McDaniel Management Consultants, the firm selected to assist in the national search for Norfolk’s next Chief of Police, will offer an in-person public forum for residents to provide their input on Tuesday, October 18, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the L. Douglas Wilder Performing Arts Center located on the campus of Norfolk State University.

Residents who are unable to attend the forum, but would still like to provide comment, may do so online at www.norfolk.gov/PoliceChief or through drop boxes located at all Norfolk Public Library branches through Monday, October 31.

Tuesday, October 18 (6 – 8 p.m.)
L. Douglas Wilder Performing Arts Center
700 Park Avenue, Norfolk VA 23504
On-campus parking is free

Citizen input will be valuable during the selection process.

The search process is expected to continue over the next couple of months.

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