3 LAND USE
2030 Vision Statement
In 2030, Newport News is regarded as one of the best and most livable cities in Virginia and is a highly desirable place to live, work, and raise a family. The City's assets include: quality, affordable residential neighborhoods; beautiful parks; excellent neighborhood schools; efficient transportation systems; well designed, mixed use centers; and, employment centers providing jobs for its citizens. Citizens and government work together to set goals, plan land use, and guide development to create a strong economy and unsurpassed quality of life.
The city has safe, established, neighborhoods with well-maintained housing for families having varied incomes. The neighborhoods are accessible not only by car, but also by transit, sidewalks, and bikeways to shopping, parks, schools, and community facilities. When new development or redevelopment occurs, public streets, sidewalks, bikeways and public transit are provided, enabling people to safely walk or bicycle to their destinations.
The City's residential neighborhoods display individual identity and character. Some are urban, like the Southeast Community or Downtown, and some are suburban as Denbigh. A few are quaint and historic like Hilton Village or the North End/Huntington Heights or have a rural character like Lee Hall. Historic areas in the City are valued and have been protected and restored. The natural environment that provides the settings for the City’s neighborhoods is respected. Rivers, creeks, marshlands, and woods are protected, providing vistas and greenways that shape neighborhoods, connect centers, and bring people close to nature.
The City values and protects its residential neighborhoods by ensuring compatible infill development, preventing incompatible commercial, industrial or other intrusions, and helps citizens maintain their neighborhoods and homes with code enforcement and other neighborhood betterment programs. The northern and southern parts of the City have been revitalized through new investment and are vital and prosperous parts of our community. The City has a balanced approach to capital investment in all areas of the community.
Higher density, mixed-use activity centers generally are located away from established low-density residential areas and are sited where streets and public transit provide high accessibility. These centers, which are focal points of community life and activity, provide places for higher density housing, employment, business, shopping, government services, education, recreation, entertainment, culture and worship. They range from small neighborhood centers to larger community and regional centers.
Downtown Newport News (the Maritime Center) has been revitalized as a port, government center, and business center for the Navy and Shipyard, and provides housing, parks and supporting services for people who prefer to live in an urban setting.