SUFFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — In an effort to continue revitalization of its historic downtown, Suffolk City Council has designated much of the area an Arts and Cultural District.
This move not only helps the craft branding for the space, but also gives the city new tools to attract businesses, according to the approved ordinance.
Any new or expanding business or not-for-profit that meets the criteria of promoting arts, entertainment, history and design could be eligible for up to two years of tax breaks as well as grant awards.
It also allows for the promotion of local public artwork in downtown spaces, such as murals and covered utility boxes.
A recently created Downtown Advisory Committee and nonprofit will help to shepherd the new mantra, as will Telesa “Lisa” Bleakley, the recently hired downtown development manager.
“It’s a big paintbrush right over the whole downtown influence area,” Bleakley said. “That is one tool in our tool belt to incentivize businesses … to come down, take a look at Suffolk. Maybe those incentives are the tipping point to say, ‘You know what? I could open up a glassblowing shop, or I could open up an architect firm in downtown Suffolk,’ and that is going to bring more foot traffic in.”
Bleakley, who recently left her role as the Virginia Beach resort administrator, said the potential of the historic downtown makes her excited.
The buildings surrounding the intersection of Main and Washington streets are full of more than century-old buildings. While there are shops and restaurants doing business, many of the storefronts currently sit vacant.
City taxpayers have pumped millions of dollars into capital improvement projects to help eliminate blight. A new festival park opened last year, and a new library is currently under construction.
But Ed Beardsley, who owns the Mod Olive restaurant on Main Street said it’s important for the community to create its own momentum. It’s one of the reasons he has helped to co-found “WATCH Downtown Suffolk,” a new 501 (c)(3) that’ll promote public art and culture.
“We put a wrap on a utility box and it was a local artist who did it,” Beardsley said. “One of the comments on her page, or on the posting of it was, ‘I wish our city was cool like yours.’ That’s like, that’s kind of the thing. It’s like for people to say, ‘You know what? You need to come down and see what we’re doing here.’ That’s when it becomes a success.”
