Norfolk to revive a tradition

Published March 21, 2016 by Robert Powell, III

Norfolk plans to revive a city tradition, arched lights over a downtown street.

Mayor Paul Fraim will flip the switch at 8 p.m. on April 1 to illuminate Lights Over Granby Street.

Arched lights were displayed downtown from 1909 to 1925. In the first phase of the lights’ revival, 10 arches between 300 to 500 feet apart will run along Granby from City Hall Avenue to Brambleton Avenue.

The lights are composed of 42-foot stainless steel cable connected to 24-foot light poles on either side of the street. The bulbs, 40 on each cable, are five inches wide.

Lights Over Granby Street is being launched in connection with the Downtown Norfolk Council’s First Fridays event.

Funding for Lights Over Granby came from the Downtown Improvement District taxes that are paid by downtown property owners.