Pastor Roger Cheeks conceived an idea for the Southgate Plaza, 2309 Bainbridge Blvd., Chesapeake, to revitalize and develop the aging structure to include retail shopping on the ground floor, with multi-family, low-cost housing rising 3-7 stories higher.

Pastor Cheeks, who leads the New Dominion Fellowship at 2317 Bainbridge Blvd., is also the Director of Student Activities & Leadership at Regent University.

At the June meeting of the South Norfolk Civic League, Pastor Cheeks presented his development concept and drawings, and answered questions at the end of his presentation. Many in the audience questioned how the local infrastructure — namely schools — would handle the influx of children into already overcrowded schools, and how additional low-income rentals could affect the local economy.

Pastor Cheeks cancelled a second development presentation scheduled for the South Norfolk Neighborhood Watch meeting the following week.

His application for zoning approval of the project is still awaiting a decision from the city.