u/TheVirginian-Pilot

Norfolk City Council approved a $352 million capital improvement plan Tuesday after the city manager suggested moving a planned fitness center and library to the former site of Poplar Halls Elementary School.

After a one-week continuation, City Council members voted 7-1 to approve the plan. Ward 5 Council member Tommy Smigiel voted against the measure.

The plan appropriates $1 million to begin preliminary design work on a combined library and fitness center originally planned to anchor the redevelopment of Military Circle Mall but now slated to be constructed at the former Poplar Halls Elementary School site.

Norfolk City Manager Pat Roberts said the switch would allow design work to begin almost immediately.

Military Circle redevelopment, on the other hand, is still having issues related to negotiations with remaining tenant Ross Dress for Less. Smigiel said a few weeks ago Ross holds a long-term lease on its location.

A 54-foot yellow ladder is coming soon to Scope and the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles hopes it could change the way people drive.

The ladder is part of the DMV’s “Speed Has an Impact” campaign and demonstrates the equivalent fall height of being struck by a vehicle at different speeds. Markers along the ladder show how the force of being hit by a vehicle traveling different speeds compares to falling from different heights. Being hit by a vehicle at 40 miles per hour is comparable from falling 54 feet.

Plans for a new public parking garage near the convention center are coming closer to reality.

After reviewing submissions from a request for proposals last year, the city’s preferred developer is The Runnymede Corp. Virginia Beach would contribute roughly $38 million toward the project, said Emily Archer, acting director of economic development.

The total cost to build the garage is still to be determined, but the proposed concept was discussed at a City Council meeting Tuesday. Located at the southeast corner of 19th Street and Parks Avenue, the garage plans include more than 1,000 parking spaces and two stories of retail with potential for a sports bar, restaurant and coffee shop.