In the Hood: Drake, Boxing and More

Norfolk Hires Thelma Drake
As of June 9, Drake is a registered lobbyist for the city of Norfolk.

Thelma Drake is a mother, grandmother and former real estate agent. She was the director of the Va. Dept. of Rail and Public Transportation, served in the U.S. House of Representatives as a Republican representing the 2nd district and in the Virginia House of Delegates, representing the 87th district.

Drake's career has been as adventurous and ambitious as the career of Hillary Clinton, though she might find this comparison unpalatable. Drake is a die-hard Republican and conservative. But like Clinton she has managed to ascend the ranks of politics dominated by men with a blend of easy formality and shrewd calculation.

Norfolk's Boxing and Fitness Center


Now this will be a vibrant space. Too bad, it won't be on Granby St.
The city has requested bids to renovate 14,000 square feet of storefront space at 150 Park Avenue. Yes, that's Harbor Park.

The interior will include an arena, weight and locker rooms, laundry area, staff lounge, classroom, public restrooms, reception area and all building systems. 

 The last day to submit RFI’s is 5:00 p.m., Thursday, July 2, 2015. A Pre-Bid Conference will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 30, 2015 at Harbor Park, 150 Park Ave.

Norfolk Authority Hires New Law Firm
The Norfolk Economic Development Authority has hired the law firm of Kaufman & Canoles as its legal representative. The Authority chose the Norfolk-based law firm at its June meeting. Attorney George Consolvo will represent K&C. The law firm of Williams Mullin and Vandeventer Black also bid on the contract. Williams Mullin previously represented the Authority. 

Norfolk Firm gets $55M
Hampton Roads Ventures LLC, a subsidiary of Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority, received an allocation of $55 million in New Markets Tax Credits from the Treasury Dept. 

The program, begun in 2000, leverages tax credits for investment in low income communities. HRV has received $300 million in allocation since the program's inception. HRV leveraged tax credits for the Crispus Attucks Theater and Fort Norfolk Medical Plaza in Norfolk, among other projects in several states.