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Residents and preservationists urge archaeology and transparency as development accelerates in Newport News
Summary
During public comment on June 23, preservationists and residents urged the City Council to prioritize archaeology at Riverview, Endview and Lee Hall, called for transparency on development decisions, and pressed the council to implement a recent disparity study and programs to support SWAM small businesses.
A series of public commenters at the June 23 Newport News City Council meeting pressed elected officials to prioritize historic-site archaeology, transparency in development decisions and more robust support for small and historically disadvantaged businesses.
Connor DeWalt, speaking with support from the Sierra Club and local historic groups, said Newport News is at a "make-or-break point" for its historic resources and urged the city to complete archaeology at Endview and plan ahead for Lee Hall before approvals move forward. "We need proof, not promises," DeWalt said, urging collaborative partnerships with nonprofit history and archaeology organizations to manage resources and share findings.
Angela Harris, chair and co-founder of the Southeast Care Coalition, urged the council to do more to celebrate and protect the city's history and questioned past decisions about historic sites and community amenities. "We have to take care of our parts," she said, pressing the council on neglected projects and the city's 250th anniversary opportunities.
Bakira w Shabazz Meno of the Injustice Reform Network urged greater transparency, saying residents deserve meaningful consultation on decisions that affect development, public safety and youth. "Transparency is not optional," Meno said, calling for open engagement when decisions are made.
Other commenters raised concerns about whether the recently completed disparity study would be implemented and funded; Fitzgerald Hardinet and others asked how the city will put the study's recommendations into practice and ensure SWAM businesses can access government contracts. Alan Tanner, an attorney and developer, urged capturing available funding and allowing churches and charities to participate in development under a new state law, warning that delays could forfeit grant windows.
Council members thanked speakers and recognized the concerns; the mayor and council said staff would follow up, noted the timing sensitivity on some funding windows and scheduled future conversations including a town hall on church land development. Councilman Long and others said the city will work on programs to support SWAM businesses and to brief the public on disparity-study implementation steps.
