HAMPTON — On June 13, the City Council unanimously approved a much-needed facelift to the downtown area.
The city-owned properties will be sold to developers WVS Cos. and Saunders + Crouse Architects. These developers proposed a $35 million development of the downtown area, according to the city.
Steven Lynch, interim director of the Hampton Economic Development Authority, said the main goal of the development is to increase the critical mass of people living downtown.
The development will include new residential and office spaces and restaurants.
While the building plans are still in the process of being created, Lynch said the developers are anxious to get started and are moving the process along quickly.
Lynch does not foresee any negative impacts on the current merchants downtown. He said he expects those businesses to thrive.
The current merchants don’t have much to say on the matter. The small business owners mostly are unaware of what the new deal means and are anxious to find out.
A few merchants, such as owner of The Grey Goose, are excited to see what new business the development will bring.
A downtown merchant meeting is scheduled July 11 to discuss the new development.
