Laserfiche WebLink
377 <br /> February 13, 1996 <br /> <br /> "The City of Norfolk has applied for Enhancement Funds <br />under the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act and <br />has asked for our support. This project entails the renovation <br />of the Attucks Theatre on Church Street through a public/private <br />partnership and with public funds supplied by the City of <br />Norfolk. The grant application is for federal funds to assist <br />with the work. <br /> <br /> The history of the Attucks Theatre extends deeply into the <br />City of Portsmouth. Constructed in 1919, the Theatre was <br />financed by the Twin Cities Amusement Corporation, an <br />organization comprised of African-American businessmen from <br />Norfolk and Portsmouth. This corporation hired Harvey N. <br />Johnson, Sr. to design the Attucks Theatre. <br /> <br /> In addition to the proposed Theatre renovation and <br />landscape and facade treatments of other buildings, an <br />attractive parking lot has been built about four tenths of a <br />mile from the facility. To encourage usage, it is proposed to <br />build a bikeway and pedestrian walkway with sidewalks and <br />lighting. The Theatre will also have a bus drop-off station as <br />well as a kiosk which will describe the various historical modes <br />of transportation along Church Street. <br /> <br /> This proposed renovation is a regional project, and the <br />Attucks Theatre will be utilized by the Governor's Magnet School <br />for the Arts, among other organizations. It is both consistent <br />with the intention of the Enhancement Fund grant program and is <br />in the spirit of regional cooperation. I recommend that you <br />adopt a resolution in support of Norfolk's application for these <br />funds." <br /> <br /> Motion by Mr. Pitts, and seconded by Mr. Martin, to adopt <br />the following resolution, and was adopted by the following vote: <br /> <br /> "A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING FUNDING FOR THE CRISPUS ATTUCKS <br />CULTURAL CENTER IN THE CITY OF NORFOLK, VIRGINIA. <br /> <br /> WHEREAS, the Virginia Department of Transportation has <br />accepted applications for Enhancement Funds under the Intermodal <br />Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA); and <br /> <br /> WHEREAS, the City of Norfolk has applied for Enhancement <br />Funds on behalf of a public/private partnership established in <br />part to renovate the historic Attucks Theatre; and <br /> <br /> WHEREAS, the partnership consists of the Crispus Attucks <br />Cultural Center, incorporated, a nonprofit organization which is <br />spearheading private fund raising; Norfolk Redevelopment and <br />Housing Authority as project manager; and the City of Norfolk, <br />which will be providing major funding; and <br /> <br /> WHEREAS, one purpose of the project is to create an <br />intermodal circulation system which will spur pedestrian <br />movement between a cultural and religious enclave and a <br />parking lot located four tenths of a mile away; and <br /> <br /> WHEREAS, this intermodal transportation system will promote <br />transportation objectives by rendering the project area a <br />"livable community~" by supporting multiple education and <br />cultural activities~ while emphasizing the historic nature of <br />the Church Street corridor and by enhancing exterior facades and <br />landscaping of historic sites; and <br /> <br /> WHEREAS, the development of a bicycle path and pedestrian <br />walkway will promote tourism and economic development in this <br />Enterprise Community, increasing the impact of State and Federal <br />dollars previously invested along the Church Street corridor; <br />and <br /> <br /> <br />