Norfolk Natives Propose for Military Circle Mall Development

Revitalizing Military Circle: Pharrell, Emmitt Smith among developers to present proposals to Norfolk City Council

Norfolk native and S.B. Ballard founder Stephen Ballard has fond memories of the Military Circle area’s heyday. At Bennigan’s, his usual Friday night hangout, cocktails were 75 cents and nachos were $3. “It was great,” Ballard said.

Ballard and his partners hope to bring that nostalgia back. The group was one of three finalists to present redevelopment proposals for Military Circle mall to Norfolk City Council members in a series of meetings Thursday and Saturday.

Ballard’s team, which also includes former NFL star Emmitt Smith, hopes to construct a 15,000-seat arena along with a mix of retail offices, housing, green space and a 128-room hotel. The arena would be operated by ASM Global, which also manages the Cypto.com Arena (formerly the Staples Center) in Los Angeles and the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn, New York.

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Local developers are teaming up with powerhouses like music icon Pharrell Williams and football star Emmitt Smith to compete for the chance to redevelop Military Circle Mall in Norfolk. (Courtesy rendering)