Suffolk Community Profile
“We welcome the next wave of downtown redevelopment,” says Kevin Hughes, Suffolk’s economic development director.
the only Hampton Roads locality projected to grow by at least 10% each decade between now and 2040. City leaders attribute Suf- folk’s growth to its accommodating business environment, high stan- dard of living, many amenities and central Hampton Roads location. “Suffolk is very diverse,”
Hughes says. “We’re very rural to the south and west. We’re able to preserve that because we have so many pockets of opportunity for development within the core city.” Last year, when Marie
downtown. Property owners have offered to host murals, and painting is expected to begin next spring. “This is a huge, inclusive, strong, community-building project,” Beardsley adds. “It definitely will be a conversation starter. It’s very excit- ing. I think of it as a new start.”
Growing but still small town To spur economic develop-
ment and community pride, the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development designated Suffolk a Virginia Main Street community more than 30 years ago. That led to the rehabilitation of older downtown structures along with new invest- ments, including the transforma- tion of the former Suffolk High School into the Suffolk Cultural Arts Center and the construction of the Hilton Garden Inn and Conference Center. This time, development is focused on a new, $21.1 million, 45,305-square-foot downtown library to replace the Morgan Memorial Library. It’s expected to open in 2021. “We welcome the next wave
of downtown redevelopment,” says Kevin Hughes, Suffolk’s economic development director. “It’s time to put on a fresh pair of glasses and
54 | OCTOBER 2019 Photos by Mark Rhodes
take a new look at downtown. We have to see how we can best plug in people and attract them and keep them interested in the area.” Although it wants to attract
new residents and businesses, the 430-square-mile city also is determined to maintain its small- town, community atmosphere, even as its populace mushrooms. Suffolk is one of Virginia’s fastest growing municipalities, and its population has steadily increased each year since 2012. With more than 92,500 residents, the city is
DePrado decided to open addi- tional locations of her Virginia Beach businesses, World Class Realty and Pourfavor Coffee, she considered Norfolk and Ports- mouth before checking out down- town Suffolk. “I fell in love with the place,” she says. “There’s something special about Suffolk. It’s so tradi- tional, so humble. The people are so nice, and the culture is amazing.” Since opening her new
locations in the 19th-century Luke House last fall, DePrado has become convinced Suffolk’s downtown is on an upswing. “More people are coming to downtown events,” she says. “They’re hungry for more businesses, economic development and community events. The money is staying here.”
The Bridgeport development off Interstate 664 will include 700 luxury apartments, boutique shops, offi ces, an outdoor entertainment venue and a social club.
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