Funding is moving forward for a slate of Newport News projects, with City Council unanimously approving the next steps at their regular meeting on October 13, 2026. The money will support new community facilities as well as facilitate improvements to how people get around the city.
The measures, all approved 6-0 Oct. 13 with Council Member Rob Coleman absent, centers on facilities that many residents rely on every day. A permanent Fire Station 11 will replace a temporary station on leased airport property as that lease nears its end, and the city says the new location will cut response times to Denbigh Boulevard, Jefferson Avenue and I-64. A replacement Virgil L. Grissom Library will take the place of a nearly 50-year-old building at the end of its service life, serving more than 88,000 people north of J. Clyde Morris Boulevard. The Southeast Community Resource Area will add a new middle school, recreation center and library, with total appropriations for that project now reaching $141.2 million.
The infrastructure work focuses on how people get around the city. Council received bids for utility easements tied to a project that will widen Warwick Boulevard sidewalks from 6 feet to 8 feet between Lucas Creek Road and Atkinson Boulevard, with the easements allowing underground electric lines and lighting. A section of Old Denbigh Boulevard will join the city street system, tied to a sidewalk project that adds ADA-compliant ramps and a pedestrian signal. Council also appropriated $5 million to close out the Newport News Transportation Center Project, whose Amtrak station opened Aug. 22, 2024.
City Line Road Right-of-Way Vacated, Waterline Access Kept
A 4,914-square-foot portion of right-of-way south of 48th Street on City Line Road will be vacated after City Council unanimously approved an ordinance Oct. 13, according to the council’s agenda summary. The 6-0 vote came with Council Member Rob Coleman absent. Waterworks will retain an easement for its waterline, while Liebherr-America Inc. moves equipment between its adjacent properties.
Warwick Boulevard Sidewalks Set to Widen for Pedestrians
Sidewalks along Warwick Boulevard from Lucas Creek Road to Atkinson Boulevard are set to widen from 6 feet to 8 feet as part of a project to bring pedestrian access up to federal standards, according to the council’s agenda summary. City Council voted 6-0 Oct. 13 to receive bids for related utility easements, with Council Member Rob Coleman absent.
Underground Electric Lines and Lighting Planned on Warwick Boulevard
The winning bidder for two 10-foot-wide utility easements at 15198 Warwick Boulevard would install underground electric lines and lighting fixtures, according to the council’s agenda summary. City Council voted 6-0 Oct. 13 to receive bids, with Council Member Rob Coleman absent. Action to grant the easements is expected Oct. 27.
Voter Registrar to Lease Space in Brentwood Shopping Center
Newport News’ voter registrar will lease 6,825 square feet at 10500 Jefferson Ave. in a shopping center owned by the Economic Development Authority, according to the council’s agenda summary. City Council unanimously approved the lease Oct. 13, 6-0, with Council Member Rob Coleman absent. The five-year deal has no rent, though the city will pay its share of operating expenses.
Newport News to Expand Flood Messaging for Residents
Newport News will expand flood messaging, including flood insurance information and resources before, during and after emergencies, under an updated Program for Public Information, according to the council’s agenda summary. City Council adopted the plan 6-0 Oct. 13, with Council Member Rob Coleman absent. The effort uses existing Engineering Department funds.
Old Denbigh Boulevard Section to Join City Street System
Part of Old Denbigh Boulevard will join the city street system, and city-owned land at 1001 Denbigh Boulevard will become public right-of-way, according to the council’s agenda summary. City Council voted 6-0 Oct. 13, with Council Member Rob Coleman absent. The Denbigh Boulevard Sidewalk Project would add a sidewalk, ADA-compliant ramps and a pedestrian signal.
Permanent Fire Station 11 to Replace Temporary Airport Site
A permanent Fire Station 11 at Turnberry and McManus boulevards will replace the temporary station at the airport and shorten response times to Denbigh Boulevard, Jefferson Avenue and I-64, according to the council’s agenda summary. City Council voted 6-0 Oct. 13 to appropriate $2,655,000, with Council Member Rob Coleman absent. The city broke ground Feb. 13.
Newport News Transportation Center Project Gets $5 Million to Close
The Newport News Transportation Center Project, which includes the new Amtrak station, will close out with a $5 million appropriation from the general fund’s assigned fund balance, according to the council’s agenda summary. City Council voted 6-0 Oct. 13, with Council Member Rob Coleman absent. The station opened Aug. 22, 2024, and the project reached final completion this summer.
New Two-Story Grissom Library to Anchor Sherwood Redevelopment
A new two-story, 51,450-square-foot Virgil L. Grissom Library will anchor redevelopment of the Sherwood Shopping Center site, according to the council’s agenda summary. City Council voted 6-0 Oct. 13 to appropriate $8,822,000, with Council Member Rob Coleman absent. The funding brings the project to $47.8 million. The city broke ground July 16.
Southeast Community Resource Area to Get School, Recreation Center
The Southeast Community Resource Area will get a new middle school, recreation center and library, according to the council’s agenda summary. City Council voted 6-0 Oct. 13 to appropriate $11.4 million, with Council Member Rob Coleman absent. The funding brings total appropriations to $141.2 million, and construction has begun.