Senator Williams Graves seeks $50M for Norfolk coastal defenses and multiple local investments
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Summary
Senator Williams Graves presented a package of budget amendments aimed at coastal storm risk management for Norfolk, language to prevent an $11 million removal cost for a submerged pipe, university ERP modernization funding, and several community program grants.
Senator Williams Graves told the committee that his amendments would fund coastal storm risk management for Norfolk and a set of targeted local and institutional projects.
He described amendment 359 #5 S as a $50 million request to support phases 1a and 1b of the coastal storm risk management (CSRM) project. "This will allow Norfolk to unlock $1,700,000,000 in federal funding," Williams Graves said, adding that the federally authorized project has an authorized total cost of $2,600,000,000 and includes storm surge barriers, nearly 9 miles of flood walls and levees, 11 tie gates, and pump stations.
Williams Graves also outlined a language-only amendment (373 #4 S) that would clarify the city of Norfolk's ownership interest in a submerged water pipe in the Elizabeth River; he said that if the city is recognized as owner, it would avoid an $11 million removal expense. "If the state gives us permission to own it, then we don't have to remove it. Therefore, saving the city of Norfolk $11,000,000," he said.
He presented two amendments to modernize enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems at Norfolk State University ($3,200,000) and William & Mary ($3,600,000) to consolidate administrative systems and speed onboarding. Williams Graves said the pilot collaboration would not create ongoing costs and estimated roughly $18,000,000 in savings over time.
Smaller community investments in his package included funding for Rec League ($404,400) and Visions of Truth Community Development Corporation ($100,000), a $1.4 million Urban Renewal Center partnership with Sentara Health Services to support survivors of violence, and a two-year expansion for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library (requested $1,800,000 in year one and $2,900,000 in year two) to increase access to early-childhood books.
No formal votes were recorded in the transcript on these amendments. Williams Graves described the CSRM project as a multi-year partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and framed the requests as necessary to unlock federal funds and protect Norfolk's economy and military installations.