NORFOLK, Va. (WVEC) -- It's what's expected to be a major new addition for TCC in their search for a new home to expand its culinary arts program.
Mayor Kenny Alexander announced a number of exciting plans to keep bolstering the entire Norfolk area during his State of the City address.
One of those plans is to entirely redevelop the Greyhound Bus Station on Monticello Avenue into a new visual and culinary arts building for Tidewater Community College.
The city is donating the station site to the TCC Real Estate Foundation for this brand new academic building.
READ MORE: Norfolk Mayor's second State of the City
The 47,000-square-foot Patricia & Douglas Perry TCC Center for Visual & Culinary Arts is expected to implement a comprehensive culinary arts program, a program for hospitality and restaurant management as well as dual-enrollment opportunities for Norfolk high school students and workforce education to residents.
It will also house a student-run restaurant that will be open to the public and will also offer open-enrollment culinary courses and host competitions. Additional programs are planned in baking, pastry, and food science/dietetics.
“This is an incredible opportunity to build on the vibrancy and opportunity that is being created
in the NEON District,” said Mayor Alexander. “We are extremely grateful for the support of the
Perry family, and their ongoing efforts to make Norfolk a destination for the arts and culture.”
TCC's culinary arts program currently has 224 students and is the only nationally accredited program at a public institution in the Hampton Roads area.
The building is expected to be completed by summer 2020.
As for the Greyhound station, the city plans to move Greyhound to the downtown transit center. City spokesperson Lori Crouch says this will provide a better ridership experience.
The Glass Wheel House Studio on Olney Road will also be donated to TCC and will house its already-renowned glass-blowing program, newly developed glass fusing program, ceramics, sculpture and public exhibition spaces.
As a part of the donation, the studio will be called the TCC Pat and Doug Perry Glass Wheel Arts Center @ NEON and could open as soon as next summer.
