Norfolk's East Side Residents Demand Equitable Capital Investments

Civic league leaders criticize proposed budget for ignoring their community's needs

Apr. 18, 2026 at 8:05pm

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of an aging community center or library building in Norfolk, with warm sunlight streaming through the windows and deep shadows across the facade, conveying a sense of quiet melancholy and urban decay.The neglected state of public facilities in Norfolk's east side neighborhoods reflects longstanding inequities in the city's capital investment priorities.Norfolk Today

A group of civic league leaders from Norfolk's east side are speaking out against the city's proposed capital improvement plan, which they say disproportionately favors downtown and west side projects while neglecting their neighborhoods. The group is calling on the city council to restore funding for a promised recreation center and library, allocate resources for the redevelopment of the Military Circle site, and commit to a more equitable capital planning process.

Why it matters

The east side of Norfolk has long been underserved when it comes to public infrastructure and amenities, with residents feeling their community has been overlooked in the city's development plans. This dispute over the capital budget reflects broader concerns about equity and the fair distribution of resources across Norfolk's diverse neighborhoods.

The details

According to the column, the city's proposed five-year capital improvement plan allocates 62.4% of geographically named projects to the downtown and west side corridor, while the east side accounts for just 3.3% of investments. The plan also includes $72 million for the redevelopment of the MacArthur Center downtown, but no funding for a promised recreation center and library on the east side. Civic league leaders say east side residents are being asked to pay more in property taxes without seeing commensurate investments in their community.

  • In April 2025, Mayor Kenny Alexander promised east side residents a new recreation center and library.
  • The FY 2027-31 capital improvement plan proposed by the city manager did not include any funding for the promised east side projects.
  • On April 8, 2026, approximately 20 east side civic league leaders attended a budget public hearing at Granby High School to voice their concerns.

The players

Edith Lizalde

President of the River Forrest Shores/Wayside Manor/Easton Place Civic League and a member of the Equity for the Eastside Coalition.

Kenny Alexander

The mayor of Norfolk who promised the east side recreation center and library in 2025.

Equity for the Eastside Coalition

A coalition of east side civic leagues that has been reconvened to advocate for equitable capital investments in their neighborhoods.

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What they’re saying

“We are not asking for charity. We are taxpayers. Property assessments have risen sharply with one of my board members paying more than $500 more this year than she did in 2024. We are contributing more to this city than ever, yet the JANAF branch — the nearest library to most east side residents, opened in 1966 — has never been replaced or significantly updated. We have no true recreation center, and none of our schools are scheduled for renovation.”

— Edith Lizalde, Civic League President

“The commitment is there. The momentum has not dwindled.”

— Kenny Alexander, Mayor

What’s next

The Equity for the Eastside Coalition plans to meet with Ward 4 and Superward 7 city council members soon to discuss their demands. If the proposed budget passes in May without addressing their concerns, the coalition has vowed to continue advocating for equitable capital investments in their neighborhoods.

The takeaway

This dispute over Norfolk's capital budget highlights the longstanding inequities faced by the city's east side residents, who feel their community has been overlooked and underserved compared to other parts of the city. The east side civic leaders are demanding a more transparent and equitable capital planning process that ensures all neighborhoods receive their fair share of public investments.