NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — When Cardinal Skate Shop owner Jason Hawkes moved his business to Downtown Norfolk’s NEON District in 2016, he hoped for a brighter future. But he says a prolonged city development project has brought dark times and prompted him to close up shop for good.
“It’s a deterrent for sure, I’ve had customers come in and say there’s no parking anywhere,” he said.
According to its website, the NEON District Streetscape Project started in July 2024, and isn’t expected to be completed until winter 2027. Hawkes said the ongoing construction has led to less foot traffic for his business.
Norfolk_NeonStreetscape_Construction_Fact Sheet May 2024Download
“When you don’t have foot traffic buying the product you have, that product becomes stale and old,” Hawkes said. “Your funds are just shrinking and becoming nothing.”…