(The following story by Debbie Messina appeared on The Virginian-Pilot website on March 17.)
NORFOLK, Va. — The modest one-story home ushered in a dynasty of sorts for the Hall family on Bangor Avenue.
Eventually six of the eight houses on the block were filled with Halls. Family bonfires, singalongs and horseshoe games were common in that corner of Easton Place.
Over the years, deaths and moves left only three family members on the street. That number will soon dwindle to two when the homestead that sparked it all is bulldozed for a light rail park-and-ride lot.
Transit officials will tear down the Hall home and 16 other privately owned homes and businesses for the 7.4-mile, $232.1 million rail line. It’s a small number for such a large public transit project, said Michael Townes, Hampton Roads Transit president and CEO who also serves as chairman of the American Public Transit Association.
But it’s not small to Barbara Hall, who was married in the front yard of her in-laws’ former house, where she now lives; who buried three beloved pets in the yard; and who imprinted her grandchildren’s hands in the cement driveway.
“It’s very heartbreaking,” Hall said.
Hall pointed out two stately pecan trees that flank the front walk. They were saplings when she got married beside them.
“It’s not just about money,” she said. “I’m talking about emotional ties. There’s quite a history here.”
Barbara and her husband John at one time owned the house next door, which also needs to go. They raised their daughter there. That daughter at one time lived in that same house and had her first child there.
Longshoreman Shawn Charnock now owns it. It’s his first house.
“Part of me doesn’t know what to expect,” he said. “I’m scared I’ll get taken advantage of. They’re big industry, and I’m just a homeowner.”
Not everyone is worried. Jay Cole bought his home on Curlew Drive in a foreclosure sale last year, fully aware it was in the path of light rail. He said he got a good deal. He has since fixed up the place and now stands to make a little money.
Ben Ward, HRT’s real estate manager for the project, said appraisals are being completed and offers will be made soon – probably in the next few weeks. HRT hired Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority to conduct the transactions.
HRT will use condemnation if necessary.
“Even if we go to condemnation, the intention is to offer fair market value,” Townes said.
In addition to the 17 homes and businesses slated for purchase, construction of the rail line will affect more than 120 other properties. For many of those, HRT will need to acquire temporary construction easements giving the agency access to the land, or permanent easements allowing the agency to run drainage systems or utility lines through it. Other affected parcels are vacant lots, primarily government-owned.
Only one other entity needs to be moved – Kirn Memorial Library downtown. The city purchased the nearby Seaboard building to temporarily house the library.
Because the properties are being purchased for a public project, property owners are entitled to the value of their land, relocation assistance and help with moving expenses.
The light rail budget includes $10.2 million for property acquisition. Five miles of Norfolk Southern Corp. right-of-way, where most of the rail route runs, cost $5 million.
Ward said HRT is trying to acquire land quickly because two of the three largest construction contracts have been awarded and the Tide is expected to start moving passengers in less than two years.
Townes said the agency decided not to purchase property until federal authorities signed off on the project.
HRT won federal approval and $128 million in federal money in October. An additional $33 million is coming from the city, $31.9 million from the state and $39.2 million from other federal sources.
Some property owners said they want more time.
Leaders of Norfolk Moose Lodge No. 39, the oldest in Virginia, say it will take up to 12 months to find a building and renovate it. They’re stymied because they don’t have an offer yet on their 1.3 acres on Kempsville Road. “How can we move when we don’t know what we’re going to get?” lodge administrator Ray Schaller said.
The timing has also put Howard Forbes, Protime Automotive owner, in a bind. He’s leasing the corner of Kempsville and Newtown roads for his auto repair shop.
Anticipating a mid-February settlement, he opened his new Virginia Beach shop last week. Yet, to be entitled to relocation assistance, he has to keep his original location open until the deal is completed.
“It’s hurting my cash flow,” Forbes said.
The businesses inside the Baylor buildings on York Street are the only ones downtown, besides the library, that need to move. Baylor Corp. officials declined to comment.
One of the tenants, Gilbert Eyecare, aims to move to another downtown location, said owner Seth Gilbert.
Displaced owners are positive about one thing. The market is more favorable to buyers now than in recent years. “It could work out OK with the housing market today,” Hall said.
The irony is that Hall is excited about light rail. “I would love to be one of the first people to ride it,” she said.