North King Street Corridor Master Plan Goes to Hampton
City Council for Adoption on Wednesday, June 20, 2007

June 5, 2007

Just over a year ago, Urban Design Associates (UDA) was hired by the City of Hampton to develop a Master Plan for the North King Street Corridor. This process began in February of 2006. The City staff and the UDA team have completed three phases, of a three phase planning process:

1. Collected initial data and received input from City staff, community leaders, Steering Committee Members residents and other stakeholders (February 14-15).
2. Presented preliminary ideas and options and received feedback from Steering Committee Members, key stakeholders, residents, and City staff (May 9-11 Design Charrette).
3. Revised the draft Plan developed by UDA incorporating any changes viewed and commented on by the City staff, Steering Committee Members, public and stakeholders (November 16, 2006).

North King Street is one of the City's first and most important roads as it extends from Downtown Hampton to Langley Air Force Base. Over the past century, North King Street has evolved from its original function as the primary north-south arterial road that supported a diverse mix of residential and commercial land uses to more of a locally oriented collector street that serves as a connective spine and entrance to many of the areas neighborhoods. As population shifts have occurred in the City and region and newer commercial districts emerged, older commercial corridors like North King Street were left to serve a more limited function focused on a more neighborhood oriented service sector. This transformation of older commercial corridors is a common challenge facing many communities across the region and country. The goal of this master plan is to identify a broad vision as well as specific strategies for the corridor which will enhance and support the overall health and prosperity of the adjacent neighborhoods, businesses, and institutions well into the future.

Plan Amendment No. 011-2007 North King Street Corridor Master Plan: is a proposal by the City of Hampton to amend the Hampton Community Plan, Adopted February 2006 by adopting the proposed North King Street Corridor Master Plan. The North King Street Corridor Master Plan encompasses the area generally bound on the north by Langley Air Force Base and the Southwest Branch of Back River, to the south by Interstate I-64, to the east by Oakville Drive, Little Back River Road, Shawen Drive, Fox Hill Road down to the Hampton River, and to the west by LaSalle Avenue and the Southwest Branch of Back River. Recommendations include six key initiative areas: (1) Street Improvements for N. King Street, Little Back River and Rip Rap Roads; (2) Key Intersections: N. King Street and Little Back River Road "Six Points," and N. King Street and Mercury Boulevard; (3) W. Mercury Boulevard Redevelopment; (4) Private Development -- Wilson Property, Quinn Street Area, and Greater Emmanuel Baptist Church; (5) Selden Farm and Tyler Elementary School Area; and (6) Old North Hampton and Y.H. Thomas Area. Recommendations for these areas include strategies to address land use, traffic and street improvements, open space and recreation, guidelines for both public and private development and redevelopment, housing, and recommendations regarding community appearance. The Plan also includes both a residential and commercial market analysis for the area.

The overall objective of the Plan is to adopt and implement strategies for this area that are more detailed than what is found in the broader context of the Hampton Community Plan (2006 as amended). Once adopted, these strategies will redefine the most appropriate role for the North King Street Corridor as we look into the future. The Plan is represented by text, tables, maps, strategies, pictures, drawings, and illustrations to provide policy guidance for the future growth and development in the Plan area.

The Planning Commission held a public hearing on this item on April 9, 2007 and recommended approval of the Plan. The City Council will hold their public hearing on Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers on the 8th Floor of City Hall at 22 Lincoln Street. Council will be accepting comments from the public at this hearing.

Please review the Final Draft Plan prior to the public hearing via our website at www.hampton.gov/planning. Staff contact: C. Mason, City Planner at 757-727-6140 or cmason@hampton.gov.