in 2017, Icon Norfolk apartments. Lake Taylor High School opens. 1969 Norfolk State College becomes independent from Petersburg's Virginia State College. In 1979, it becomes a university. Econo-Travel motel, the first in the United States, opens for business on N. Military Highway. As of 2018, it is still operating. 1970s 1970 - Military Circle Mall opens at the southeast corner of the intersection of Military Highway and Virginia Beach Blvd. 1971 - Norfolk Scope conventional hall opens. 1972 - Chrysler Hall opened. 1974 - Virginia Opera formed. 1976 The Monticello Hotel demolished. Omni Hotel opens in Downtown Norfolk; as of 2018, the 10-story hotel is occupied by Sheraton Waterside. Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel doubles its capacity through significant expansion, creating separate tubes for east- and west-bound traffic from Norfolk to the Virginia Peninsula. The first Harborfest is held in celebration of America's Bicentennial. The festival is a success and becomes an annual event. 1977 - Leigh Memorial Hospital moves to its current location on Kempsville Rd. 1978 - (Labor Day) Ocean View Amusement Park permanently closes. The rollercoaster, built in 1927, is demolished in '79 for the TV movie Death of Ocean View Park, telecast later that year. 1979 - Hampton Roads Naval Museum is established. 1980s 1980 Virginia Stage Company opens in the recently renovated Wells Theater. NorVa Theater is remodeled as the Downtown Athletic Club. 1981 - Elizabeth Jordan Carr, the first United States baby conceived by in vitro fertilization, is born at Norfolk General Hospital. 1983 Waterside festival marketplace opens Downtown. Norfolk's World Trade Center building is completed and opens; it is an 11-story building at 101 West Main St. 1987 - Dominion Tower built. 1989 - Norfolk Southern Tower built. 1989 - Dominion Enterprises opens 1990s 1990 - Population: 261,229. 1991 - Norfolk Waterside Marriott Hotel opens in Downtown Norfolk. 1993 Harbor Park stadium opens. Bobby Scott becomes U.S. representative for Virginia's 3rd congressional district. 1994 Paul Fraim becomes mayor. Nauticus, The National Maritime Center museum, opens in Downtown Norfolk. 1996 - City website online (approximate date). 1996 - PRA Group opens 1998 - Armed Forces Memorial dedicated. 1999 - MacArthur Center Shopping Mall opens in Downtown Norfolk. 21st century 2000s 2000 - Cinemark 18 multiplex opens at Military Circle Mall. 2000 - The NorVa, after 18 years of use as the Downtown Athletic Club, finishes renovation and reopens as a successful music and concert venue. 2001