City Breaks Ground on Second Phase of Housing for Choice Neighborhoods Initiative

By: City of Newport News

The City of Newport News and the Newport News Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NNRHA) have begun the second phase of the city’s Choice Neighborhoods Initiative (CNI). The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded the city and NNRHA a $30 million CNI grant in 2019 to transform the Marshall-Ridley neighborhoods in the Southeast Community. This project is creating additional housing options and amenities while revitalizing a historic neighborhood and improving the lives of residents.

The site of Phase Two is the former Ridley Place off Jefferson Avenue in the Southeast Community of Newport News. Plans for the 18-acre site include:

• One three-story multifamily building with 41 apartment units on the corner of Jefferson Avenue and 16th Street. The building includes space for retail activity on the ground floor
• Fourteen two and three-story townhomes with 114 units
• Twenty-four single-family home sites for the future development of for-sale housing.
• Health and Wellness Trail for community use
• Early Childhood Development Center for children from 6 weeks to 4 years of age.

“The beginning of Phase Two of our Choice Neighborhoods Initiative is incredibly important, as plans include homes and community resources that will support Newport News residents for decades,” said Mayor McKinley L. Price. “This site will soon become a place where residents and families learn, grow, and flourish. Through CNI, we are uplifting people of all ages, strengthening our community, and showing those around us that Newport News is a city of hope and opportunity.” 

Construction of Phase Two is expected to be completed in late 2024. The $58 million project is being funded by the CNI grant from HUD, Affordable Housing Tax Credits, Home Investment Partnership dollars, the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, and Virginia Housing, as well as city grant, capital, and operating resources. NNRHA and Pennrose are leading the development of the project and Breeden Construction is managing the construction.

In 2019, the City of Newport News and the Newport News Redevelopment and Housing Authority received a $30 million grant from HUD’s Choice Neighborhoods Initiative program. The city developed a community-driven plan to transform the Marshall-Ridley area in the Southeast Community, creating new housing options, community services, recreational opportunities, and parks. Phase One began with the construction of a mixed-use development off I-664. The project features apartments, townhomes, and retail space that will be completed this fall.

Authorization to Sell Surplus Property

City Council authorized the city to sell 14 parcels of surplus city-owned real property consistent with the city’s ongoing efforts to encourage single-family residential development. As with other similar transfers these parcels will be required to adhere to certain design criteria to ensure the development fits the character of the existing neighborhood as well as quality construction. The sale will be a public and competitive process and will allow for the public to review and bid on available parcels. 

Appropriation for Road Projects

An appropriation totaling $1,500,000 was approved by City Council last night for two road projects. The City of Newport News competed for and successfully secured State of Good Repair grant funds through the Virginia Department of Transportation for two milling and paving and concrete repair projects. The project areas are Jefferson Avenue southbound from Harpersville Road to Hemlock Road ($650,000) and Denbigh Boulevard eastbound and westbound from Jefferson Avenue to Catalina Drive ($850,000). The projects include milling and asphalt overlay of the roadway as well as minor concrete repair work to ensure Americans with Disabilities Act compliance of any bike and pedestrian facilities within the project limits. The State of Good Repair grant program is 100% federal funds with no local match required.

On-demand viewing of last night’s entire City Council meeting is available at www.nnva.gov/nntv.

Next Regular Meeting is 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 25, and will be in City Council Chambers at City Hall, 2400 Washington Avenue. Council meetings are shown live on NNTV (Cox 48/Verizon 19) and streamed online at www.nnva.gov/nntv and on NNTV’s Facebook page. View full meeting agendas, watch past meetings and more on the city’s Public Meetings Portal.