The City of Newport News was a late 19th Century and early 20th Century boomtown. In a span of roughly 40 years of growth, brought on by the development of a railroad, a shipping port, a major shipyard and then activity associated with World War I, the core of Newport News was built. This core, framed by the port on the south, the James River to the west, the shipyard on the north and rail lines on the east, contained the leading commercial, financial and entertainment institutions that anchored downtown. As with many urban centers throughout the latter part of the last century, bustling commercial blocks gave way to new suburban development, pressure for increased automobile parking, urban renewal, and demolition.
Creating a vibrant, walkable downtown can help attract and retain talented people and the companies that want to hire them. It can transform downtown into a destination to shop, dine, visit, move to, or invest. It’s a chance to celebrate the city’s diverse history, create new opportunities for long-time residents, and to achieve a more equitable community and stronger economy.