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Portsmouth commission reviews cruise docking agreement, development sites and defense grant opportunities
Summary
At its July 22 meeting, the Portsmouth Port Industrial Commission reviewed a docking agreement from American Cruise Lines, discussed prioritized development sites including Burton's Point Road, and raised missed federal defense grant submissions while voting to enter closed session over grant- and property-related negotiations.
The Portsmouth Port Industrial Commission reviewed potential port development deals and federal grant opportunities during its July 22, 2025, meeting in Portsmouth.
Commission staff briefed commissioners on several business-development items, including a docking agreement submitted by American Cruise Lines that staff said is “under review” to confirm infrastructure and long-term booking terms. Bridal, a commission staff member, said the commission is "in receipt of a docking agreement, which was provided by ACL," and staff is assessing seawall infrastructure, water supply needs and projected costs.
The commission also flagged several prioritized development sites. Bridal said Burton's Point Road remains a priority and that staff is marketing the properties identified in the briefing as “0 Sixth Street” and “1603 Seventh.” Stedmont Financial Group representatives were noted as present for later closed-session negotiations.
Commissioners discussed engagement with the Norfolk Naval Shipyard Southgate Annex, with Bridal saying the commission is "waiting on the chain of command to be completed so we can engage with the new leadership of the shipyard." The commission also confirmed preexisting plans to have a representative attend the Virginia Port Authority meeting on July 29 in Norfolk; Commissioner Richard Foster volunteered to attend.
In new business the commission discussed the city’s failure to submit a Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP) application this year. A city official who identified himself as Mr. Carter said submissions rest with city administration and acknowledged he was not aware a submission had been missed; he suggested the PPIC may propose candidate projects to the city manager for future DCIP consideration. Bridal and other commissioners noted examples of projects that have previously fit DCIP parameters, such as roadway and utility work serving military facilities.
Near the end of the meeting the commission voted unanimously to move into closed session. The motion cited Virginia law authorizing closed sessions for discussion of the investment of public funds and negotiation of real property. The motion specified discussion items as the FY 2022 Port Coast Community Grant and the disposition or negotiation of real property at 3920 and 3930 Birch Orchard Point Road. The motion to enter closed session passed on a roll-call vote of 5–0 (Commissioner Foster, Commissioner McSwain, Commissioner Rice, Commissioner Peterman and Commissioner Allen — Commissioner Hansen and one seat absent). After the closed session, commissioners certified that only matters exempted by law were discussed; that certification passed on a roll-call vote with all present voting yes.
Procedural actions taken in open session included approval of the June 24, 2025, meeting minutes (approved by roll-call vote 5–0) and establishing the PPIC’s annual meeting for August 26, 2025 (approved by roll-call vote 5–0).
Staff indicated follow-up steps: continuing to review the ACL docking agreement, obtaining pricing for projected infrastructure work, marketing prioritized properties for development and coordinating with city staff on potential DCIP project submissions. No ordinance or contract awards were approved in open session.
The commission adjourned and said it will reconvene in August to continue work on the items described above.
