City Considers Adaptive Reuse Proposals for Two Vacant Downtown Properties
A former church and library await redevelopment decisions as Newport News pursues downtown redevelopment opportunities
Newport News Daily is a publication of Williamsburg-based Dog Street Press, LLC. An editor used primary sources and AI tools for this report.
The Economic Development Authority of the City of Newport News is reviewing proposals for the adaptive reuse of two city-owned historic properties in the downtown area, after closing the window for submissions last month.
2591 West Avenue
The first property under review is the former Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church. The structure was built between 1947 and 1949. The congregation sold the building to the city in 1982. It was condemned in 1989 and has remained vacant since. Concept studies funded in part by a $90,000 grant from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development identified potential uses including a restaurant, event space, or entertainment venue.
2907 West Avenue
The second property is the former West Avenue Library. Constructed in 1929, the Georgian Revival and Colonial Revival building was designed by Richmond architect Charles M. Robinson. It served as the city’s first public library and became one of the first public buildings in the city to integrate in 1952. The library closed in 2013 and has been vacant since. Community visioning sessions and market analyses point toward a multi-tenant facility anchored by a restaurant, with additional concepts including a neighborhood hub, center for the arts, or cafe.
City Goals and Redevelopment Context
The two properties fall within the Downtown Reimagined Plan, which envisions transforming the area into an urban waterfront village with walkable streets, arts and music spaces, and development that reflects the area’s industrial character.
The church at 2591 West Avenue is located in the Yard District near the Victory Arch. It sits adjacent to the James River Strand, a nearly complete waterfront park connecting Victory Landing Park to Christopher Newport Park that includes an open air amphitheater. The city is also separately seeking operators to reuse a nearby historic train station as a waterfront restaurant.
The library at 2907 West Avenue is located in the heart of downtown, two blocks from Newport News Shipbuilding and the Apprentice School. Recent nearby multi-family development includes projects at 2800 Washington Avenue, 332 34th Street, Walker Place Apartment, Liberty Apartments, and St. James Terrace Apartments.
Recent investment across the broader downtown corridor includes a distillery, a brewery, and restaurants.
Property, Financial, and Technical Factors
The former church at 2591 West Avenue sits on 0.34 acres with a 9,800 square foot building assessed at $502,900. The source documents contain a contradiction on this point: one report describes the site as approximately three acres, while the official property table lists 0.34 acres.
The building has experienced severe neglect, water infiltration, and termite damage. Rehabilitation must follow the Secretary of the Interior Standards. Requirements include retaining historic gathering spaces, specifically the nave and basement fellowship hall.
The former library at 2907 West Avenue occupies 0.46 acres with an 11,660 square foot building assessed at $1,672,900. A recent study estimated redevelopment costs at $4.1 million.
The building presents accessibility challenges. Primary entrances and the first floor are elevated from street grade, and interior spaces have varying floor levels without accessible routes.
A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment identified a recognized environmental condition related to an out of service 1,000 gallon underground heating oil storage tank. The tank appears on original 1929 building plans. The documents do not specify whether it was removed, closed in place, or has caused any environmental releases.
Other Considerations
The two properties are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register, making them eligible for historic rehabilitation tax credits.
Specific acquisition or lease terms are not detailed in either proposal. The city states financial structures will be determined through negotiation.
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In other news …
Government
City Council approves water and capital improvement financing measures The City of Newport News announced approval of two key financing ordinances during its most recent City Council meeting. The council authorized the issuance of water revenue notes and secured a revolving line of credit for water system projects. Additionally, the council approved general obligation general improvement notes and secured a line of credit for capital improvement initiatives across the city.
Business
Navy Shipyards Struggle as Young Workers Seek Less Demanding Careers Elsewhere Business Insider reports that the U.S. Navy’s submarine production goals are being complicated by a significant workforce challenge at major shipyards. Young workers are leaving positions in submarine construction at facilities like Newport News Shipbuilding for employment in adjacent industries that offer more flexible schedules and less physically demanding work. The Navy’s Submarine Industrial Base Program Office told Business Insider that shipyards need to hire 250,000 skilled workers over the next decade to meet production targets of three submarines annually by 2028. However, attrition rates at major yards remain problematic, ranging from 10 to 20% on average and climbing to 30% or higher in critical trades. Entry-level workers during their first year show the highest turnover rates. Additional concern centers on the loss of institutional knowledge as the maritime workforce ages, with 27% of workers now over 55 years old. The Navy has launched regional Talent Pipeline Programs since 2021 that have placed more than 15,000 workers into maritime careers, and partnerships in New England have trained and placed over 8,900 trades workers across the region.
Recreation & Events
City of Newport News Reports Event-Packed Week Downtown The City of Newport News reports that the week of May 29 through June 4 brings a robust calendar of cultural events and entertainment options throughout the city. Residents and visitors can enjoy the 2026 Newport News Greek Festival at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, running through May 31, along with multiple festivals and concerts happening on May 30.
Historian Explores Civil War Union Navy Leaders’ Overlooked Contributions The USS Monitor Legacy Program reports that historian and author John V. Quarstein will present a lecture examining the naval officers and administrators who played vital roles in strengthening the Union Navy during the Civil War. The presentation will recognize both well-known commanders and overlooked leaders whose contributions were instrumental to Union success. See more about upcoming events.
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