Strategic Planning

In early 2023, DNC initiated the Downtown Norfolk Strategic Plan Update to help identify priorities and guide Downtown’s growth and development over the next five-to-seven years. The Update aims to align DNC to a rapidly changing economic, social, and political landscape, while building on our fundamental strengths and exploring meaningful ways to become more responsive to community needs, goals and inclusion.

Comprehensive, inclusive community engagement was critical to ensure a wide spectrum of voices were heard throughout the strategic planning process. In total, over 2,000 inputs were gathered and directly impacted the resulting Strategic Plan Update.

The Plan Update builds on the previous Downtown Norfolk Strategic Plan, which was completed in 2015. This update is timely as Downtown adjusts to new challenges and opportunities that have emerged following the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and the subsequent acceleration of trends affecting downtowns throughout the nation, including Norfolk.

Our strategic plans provide the framework and action needed to continue as Downtown's champion.

Reports and data on making the case for Downtown: