The Plot

This is a cool spot to hang out and watch cars & pedestrians pass by. I didn’t even know this spot was called «The Plot» and even more existed for people to chill.
I was with my friend when we happen to see a cool art piece thing and we wanted to check it out. It was a solar panel phone station to charge your android or iPhones. Whoa… It’s free to use. Say Word! They have a few benches and plenty of space for your little ones to run around. I haven’t really seen people hanging out as it looks like a private lot. But it’s a cool space and in a desperate situation I know where I can charge my phone!

I have now had well over a dozen visits to The Plot. An idea developed from the folks who own The Parlor restaurant across the street a few years back. The goal to do something with the vacant lot which was an eye sore. So it may not appear to be much and maybe it isn’t to many. However, it’s the nucleus of the Neon District and that’s enough for me to dub it pretty darn special.
The location of The Plot is the intersection of Granby and Olney. There is a sign that was once for a car lot I believe. This is not a city owned lot like many believe. The City of Norfolk pays rent to the owner. Parking will be off street. The half block is repurposed land that has a few cargo containers for storage, a stage for performances and some art pieces. There are also plantings. You can find a newspaper mailbox made into a cell phone charging station, who came up with that fantastic idea. There is also station to get air for your bike tires.
This more of a meeting type place than a park. There are a few benches. Small events are held here. The largest even for the area will be October 15&16 when the area holds it’s first annual Neon Festival. There has been a lot of activity taking place in the 2 – 3 block area such as wall murals and construction of the new wheel house glass studio. I am excited and hope to attend the event.
So what does the future hold for The Plot. For most this will be a shock. The Plot’s land is actually for sale, if sold it will be moved one block over into a City of Norfolk lot of around the same square footage. This could always change I suppose, but this is information that I just recently got from a store owner.
Come check The Plot you will love it. Walk around and enjoy the shops, restaurants and nearby Chrysler Museum of Art. It goes with out saying enjoy the art… it’s every where. I applaud all involved in the Neon District, It is something Norfolk has needed and is beginning to take off.

Norfolk is re-​inventing itself. I’ll spare you the history lesson, but not too long ago, a good share of downtown Norfolk was not exactly a destination. As Virginia Beach grew more and more in love with tourist dollars, Norfolk was quickly becoming the forgotten cousin, left to wallow and wither on its own.
Then somebody got smart. Or more likely, several somebodies. Instead of trying to be ‘Me Too,’ Norfolk decided to become ‘Not You.’ Instead of trying to cookie cutter in a Norfolk version of Town Center, the city celebrated the unique and eclectic. The Plot was one of the first manifestations of this.
The Plot is a green space downtown. it is there for anybody to enjoy. Few rules (see one of the pictures to see exactly how few), this is an experiment in populist rule. And it seems to be working. If you feel like playing some music, grab your guitar, hipster boots, and climb onstage. Nobody is going to stop you, in fact, we will celebrate you practicing your art.
Christmas Day, 2014 was a day of giving back at The Plot. Spaghetti Santa was an event where anybody could drop in, grab some grub, sit down, and meet new friends. No judgement, no questions, no cost. Let’s be different together. In short, a day to celebrate all the is right with the world. I hope that there are more days like this at The Plot and in other locations too.
Not far from The Plot is the Norfolk Art District with a couple of new night time destinations. About 5 years ago or so, this section of town was somewhat left for dead. Sure there is aways to go, but as long as the politicians stay out of this and let the people determine what works and what doesn’t, we have hope to tap into the endless vibe that is Norfolk.
So let VB keep Town Center and its pretentious mix of high end chain restaurants (exactly who was the rocket scientist that decided VB needed a high end seafood chain here). Norfolk has become the new go to destination for entertainment, nightlife, and vibe. Now if we can convince the Powers that Be to let Waterside evolve into what it wants to be instead of what out of town developers want it to be…