Staff report

A Norfolk housing official will be the guest speaker at the Downtown Business Association’s meeting this week.

Ernest Freeman, executive director of the Norfolk Redevelopment & Housing Authority, is slated to address the organization of downtown residents, business owners and employees at the meeting being held in the Bank of America board room at 3 p.m. Wednesday.

Freeman, who joined the NRHA last November, is renowned for his skills in urban design, zoning, code enforcement, and downtown development and renewal, said Andy Damiani, president of the DBA.

Prior to assuming that position, Freeman was director of planning and codes administration in Norfolk.

Although her started his career as a city planner in for Norfolk in 1973, he has been planning director in a numerous other cities nationwide, including Portsmouth, Baltimore and San Diego.

Damiani asked DBA members to note that meetings have been moved from the fourth Tuesday to the fourth Wednesday of each month.

Anyone needing additional information should call Damiani at 539-1216.