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Newport News approves funding and agreements for Jefferson Avenue seafood market and dock improvements
Summary
City Council on June 24 approved ordinances, a grant agreement and $2.6 million in appropriations to support a new seafood market, dock improvements and related infrastructure at 701 Jefferson Avenue and the Seafood Industrial Park, votes unanimous.
Newport News City Council on June 24 adopted a package of ordinances, grants and appropriations to support development of a commercial seafood market and dock improvements at 701 Jefferson Avenue and at the city's Seafood Industrial Park.
The council voted 7-0 to authorize a restriction agreement involving the Economic Development Authority, the city and the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) for 701 Jefferson Avenue, to accept a Port Host Communities revitalization fund grant and to approve related leases and appropriations. City staff said the work will include dredging, demolition of deteriorated piers, installation of new commercial moorings (with shore power and water), and an ADA-compliant floating dock to serve the seafood market.
The city approved two appropriations tied to the project: a $1,000,000 award from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (community project funding) for seafood market and industrial-park dock improvements; and $1,600,000 from the Virginia DHCD Port Host Communities revitalization fund for dock improvements at 917 Jefferson Avenue, which the transcript identifies as a fiscal-year 2024 award that included an $800,000 grant requiring a 1:1 local match. The Council voted to accept and appropriate both funding items 7-0.
City staff explained that the HUD funds will support harbor dredging, demolition of old piers, installation of new commercial moorings and shore utilities, construction of an ADA-compliant floating dock for market access, and a new roughly 7,600-square-foot seafood market facility with vendor stalls and outdoor seating. The DHCD award was described as the Port Host Communities revitalization fund grant for dock improvements; the award requires a matching local contribution and accompanies other project work at Jefferson Avenue. City Manager Allen Archer recommended approval of the grant arrangements and appropriations.
Council also approved a resolution authorizing lease of city-owned Seafood Industrial Park Parcel 1 to the Economic Development Authority and an ordinance directing the city manager to execute any and all documents necessary to implement the Port Host Communities grant for 701 Jefferson Avenue. All measures carried unanimously on roll-call votes.
The actions clear the way for procurement and construction steps; no speakers from the public addressed these items at the council public hearings, and staff indicated construction and dredging work are part of a coordinated effort to support commerce and ADA access for the planned seafood market.
Votes at the meeting recorded the approvals as unanimous: each listed vote was recorded in the roll calls as supporting the motions, with recorded outcomes "Motion carries 7 0."
