HRT's "The Tide"

Business Outreach

Construction of The Tide is now underway and the system is scheduled to open to the public in 2010. While this is an exciting project with many benefits to the surrounding community, construction may create temporary disruptions and inconveniences to the businesses and their patrons. HRT has a comprehensive outreach and communications program for light rail construction that addresses the needs of the business community, particularly those in the downtown area. Here are just a few highlights of the program:

Interactive Map for Downtown Construction

Click here to access the Downtown Norfolk Council’s interactive, web-based map to get real-time information about construction projects, road closings and other downtown happenings. Key map features include lane and sidewalk closures, light rail and NET bus routes, restaurants, shopping, attractions, parking garages, mailboxes, courier services, churches, and hotels.

Business Financial Assistance

The City of Norfolk developed the Major Urban Construction Impact Program to assist Norfolk businesses and help mitigate the negative effects during construction. This program provides a fair and consistent method of evaluating and assisting non-franchised businesses in districts directly affected by the City of Norfolk's major and/or extended construction work. The program offers low-interest loans up to $125,000 and matching grants up to $15,000 for business upgrades, physical asset replacements, customer discount coupons, and marketing outreach. The program also funds way-finding construction signs that will let customers know that businesses are open during construction and help direct drivers and pedestrians to the entry. To qualify for assistance, businesses must be small and locally owned, and in continuous operation in the same location for the period of two years prior to the start of major city construction projects. Loan applicants must also prove a drop in patronage or revenues of at least 20 percent. For more information or an application, please contact the City of Norfolk Department of Development at 664-4338.

Outreach Coordinators

Outreach Coordinators are your first point of contact and are available to answer questions and distribute project information. The light rail route is divided into two construction line sections, each having a dedicated Outreach Coordinator. Below is a list of our Outreach Coordinators and a map viewing the line sections:

Line Section 1 - EVMC to Harbor Park | Heather Maynard Public Outreach Coordinator
Phone: (757) 222-6105 | Email: Heather Maynard

Line Section 2 - Harbor Park to Newtown Road | Tamara Poulson, Public Outreach Coordinator
Phone: (757) 222-6072 | Email:

Don’t know where your business is along the light rail route? Click here for a map of The Tide light rail system

Construction Impact Briefing Sheets

HRT is and will continue to implement many programs that will inform and assist businesses during construction including roundtable discussions, town hall meetings, and one-on-one meetings with directly impacted businesses.

For the one-on-one business meetings, HRT will prepare Construction Impact Briefing sheets for meetings with impacted businesses. The impact sheets will explain for each business and the surrounding area the status of the following:

Real Estate/Right-of-Way
Private utility relocations
Customer parking
Valet parking
Traffic pattern changes – sidewalk modifications, lane and street closures
Service delivery and pedestrian access
Building and/or structural changes

Business Tips

HRT suggests some ways for businesses to be proactive during construction:

Get to know your Outreach Coordinator. They can provide day-to-day information about the construction process and address any questions or concerns you might have.
Keep on top of the construction schedule so that you can proactively communicate with your customers. Tide Construction Schedule
Be positive about the project. If you or your employees project an upbeat, optimistic attitude about the construction process it will help to attract new customers and retain loyal ones.
Look for opportunities to hold events and gatherings to promote your business.
Maintain your existing customer base by sending out mailers or offering a special discount.
Be a good neighbor. Work with other nearby businesses to come up with ways to band together with unique marketing strategies during construction.

A web-based map to get real-time information about construction projects, road closings and other downtown happenings.
Stay up to date on the light rail project. Sign-up for e-mail updates today!

The Tide: Hampton Roads Transit Light Rial