Press Releases
- 07-24-2008Craney Island Mosquito Spraying July 27
- 07-22-2008Corps, NOAA Deploy 'Smart Buoy' in Chesapeake Bay
- 07-16-2008Lake Drummond Reservation reopens; Dismal Swamp Canal to reduce lock openings to 2 per day
- 06-13-2008Lake Drummond, Reservation temporarily closes due to wildfire threat
- 06-02-2008FNOD Advisory Board Meeting
News
Recruiters accept keys to new offices, rebuilt after tornado destruction
March 25, 2009
by Patrick Bloodgood
Norfolk District Public Affairs
SUFFOLK, Va.—Less than a year after a tornado tore through their offices, recruiters with the Army, Navy and Marines, who literally had their offices blown away while they were inside, are returning to the newly rebuilt Freedom Plaza strip mall here.
The recruiters accepted the keys to their offices March 24, a month short of the one-year anniversary of the April 28, 2008 twister, which injured more than 200 people and caused about $30 million in damages.
Navy Chief Petty Officer Rose Marsh, whose recruiters were inside the Freedom Plaza location when the storm struck, said the day is marked with anticipation and anxiety.
"I think it is awesome, I can't wait to move in but some of my recruiters are a little nervous," said Marsh. ‘Do you realize we are moving back in the month that storm struck,' they asked.
Other team members were thankful to have a new office.
"Can't wait to move in," said Marine Sgt. David Smith, "I am ready to get out of the closet I'm working in and back into this office."
Project construction began last November, and completed March 13. Freedom Plaza owner Scott Marlowe said the past year has been a roller coaster ride.
"It has been a very busy year, coordinating with everybody and dealing with the insurance company," said Marlowe. "Everything just came along at the end and we are very grateful."
District's roll
Al Blevins and Fayette Alston, Norfolk District realty specialists, lead the recruiting office-leasing effort. Blevins and Alston successfully relocated the recruiters from their destroyed offices 72 hours after the storm. They also worked with Marlowe to ensure the recruiters were the first tenants to move back into the facility once completed.
Marlowe plans to have a grand opening ceremony May 2.The event will be open to the public and local officials will be among the invited guests.
View more photos of the damaged and newly renovated recruiting office here.