Council approves easement and right-of-way vacations for Newport News Shipbuilding parking; nearby property owners raise notice concerns

Newport News City Council on Feb. 11 voted unanimously to vacate several small easements and a portion of public right-of-way tied to a Newport News Shipbuilding parking project, actions the shipbuilder and project proponents say will enable construction of a parking structure that could add roughly 2,300 spaces.

The council first approved the vacation of three easements — a 5,000‑square‑foot utility easement, a 1,302.5‑square‑foot easement, and a 214.5‑square‑foot drainage easement — as part of the shipyard parking project. Later the council approved an ordinance vacating an approximately 6,000‑square‑foot portion of public right-of-way on the 300 block of 30 Eighth Street and Huntington Avenue to accommodate the same project. Both items passed on recorded roll-call votes of 7‑0.

Public comments: Two property owners and a downtown parking manager said that adjacent landowners and parking-lot operators had not received notice required by state law and asked the council to defer action. Alan Tanner, an attorney who represents parking-lot owners and Victory Parking Management, told council his clients had received no notice and said the route provides a critical egress for downtown parkers: "Their only way out going north on Warwick Boulevard is 30 Eighth Street." Neil Rosenbaum, an owner of parcels near the site, also said he had not received notice and asked council to delay the vote so alternatives could be explored.

City response: Project representative Skip Smith and the city attorney told council the city had followed state notice requirements. The city attorney stated the statute requires publication of notice in the newspaper and said notice was published; he also noted that the remainder of that block of 30 Eighth Street was vacated and conveyed to the shipyard in 1952. Staff described the portion before council as a small segment at the front of the block; project representatives characterized the vacation as necessary to build the parking deck and said the shipyard already holds title to most of the block.

Why it matters: Speakers said the closure would remove a longtime egress used by downtown workers and could reduce access for parkers; proponents said the parking deck would add capacity serving shipyard employees and downtown functions. The dispute centers on statutory notice procedures and long‑standing travel patterns in the downtown area.

Council action details: The council conducted public hearings for both items. The easement vacations and the right‑of‑way vacation each passed by 7‑0 recorded vote. The public record includes speakers requesting delay based on alleged defective notice under Virginia Code § 15.2‑2006; the city attorney maintained required advertising was completed.