City Receives Grants for Downtown Development Projects

By: City of Newport News

The City of Newport News recently received state grants for downtown revitalization projects. Funding will support the transformation taking place in the city and will invigorate this historic part of the community.

Newport News was one of three cities in the Commonwealth to receive a Port Host Communities Revitalization Fund award. The General Assembly allocated $1.5 million in Port Host Communities Revitalization Fund grants through 2023 to use in a competitive application process. Funding is intended to assist with the removal, renovation, and/or modernization of port-related buildings and facilities in Virginia’s five port host communities. 

The city received a $300,000 Port Host Communities Revitalization Fund grant to complete modernization improvements to the facility at 2295 Harbor Road. The grant will also support the attraction of a new lessee for this waterfront restaurant property. This project complements prior and current community revitalization efforts aimed at attracting new businesses, arts, and events, including recent investments on 23rd Street.

The city also received a $90,000 planning grant from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. These funds will be used to complete a building assessment and market analysis for the former St. Constantine and St. Helen Greek Orthodox Church at 2591 West Avenue. The study will assess the physical condition of the building and provide options for potential redevelopment and the adaptive reuse of the property. The property is currently owned by the Newport News Economic Development Authority, who will use the assessments and research as a foundation for the solicitation of potential developers for this unique downtown property.

A great deal of momentum and investment are taking place in downtown Newport News, which is now referred to as The Yard District. In addition to these projects, new businesses have opened, events are regularly held, and the James River Strand project, which opens up the waterfront and creates an outdoor amphitheater, is nearing completion.