NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Norfolk’s Architectural Review Board had a chance Monday to review a project to build a flood wall that would vary in height. The wall would range from 4-7 feet to 16 feet tall behind the Dominion substation. Engineers say it is designed to help minimize the effects of coastal flooding and storm surges.
It’s Phase 1A of the city’s Coastal Storm Risk Management Project that could cost more than $200 million, according to Matthew Simons, deputy director for Norfolk’s Office of Resilience. That cost will be shared with the city and the Army Corps of Engineers. There are five phases of the project overall.
“1A extends from the Berkley Bridge heading eastward to approximately the Campostella [Road] off-ramp area by the Campostella Bridge,” Simons said.
This phase is nearing completion of 100% design. Members of the board and community members are getting a glance at what this could look like.
“It’s mainly a flood wall, but you’ll see and read it as a levee in some portions where it does look like an earthen berm — a levee,” Simons said. “In other areas, you’ll see a traditional flood wall, a concrete stem coming out of the ground, but you’ll also see lots of tide gates.”
Army Corps of Engineers Project Manager Jenny Britt said future flooding, and future events, are something everyone needs to have a vision about.
But some residents have a different vision.
If you walk through the Freemason neighborhood, you’ll see signs that show resident’s disapproval of the wall. However, the Freemason portion of Norfolk won’t be impacted until Phase 1C of the project. Phase 1C hasn’t been designed yet, and the height of the wall in Freemason hasn’t been decided yet either.
“I can understand the concerns for wanting to find a way to stop the flooding,” said Norfolk resident Jewel Hale. “[But] I’m not sure a 16-foot wall would help that.”
Residents say it would hurt their home value and scenic views, plus create problems for places like Harbor Park or the shipyard. Some say it might even negatively impact Norfolk’s future casino.
“We are working very closely with all of those stakeholders because they all have a different experience with the water,” Simons said.
Hale, even though she’s not sure about the benefits of a flood wall, said that all opinions matter on the project.
“I think everyone has their concerns for or against it,” Hale said, “and everybody should be heard about it.”
To learn more about the Norfolk Coastal Storm Risk Management project, click here.