Denbigh-Warwick Area Plan

Purpose

The City of Newport News is embarking on an area plan for Denbigh-Warwick. The objective for the Denbigh-Warwick Area Plan is to establish a comprehensive long-range planning and development vision to stabilize the neighborhood and attract new investment. Once adopted, the Denbigh-Warwick Area Plan will serve as an amendment to the City's comprehensive plan.

Plan Area

The focus of the plan extends approximately 7 miles along Warwick Boulevard and is bound to the east by the CSX railroad tracks, to the south along Boxley Boulevard/Menchville Road/E. Governor Drive, and to the west by the Warwick River. The study area includes Oakland Industrial Park to the north and the properties adjacent to the Fort Eustis access points. It does not include the City Farm property.

Background

From 1885 until the 1960s, the Denbigh area remained largely undeveloped and was dominated by farms, churches, and a few service stations. During the 1960s, large single-family subdivisions and commercial strips along the once rural crossroads of U.S. Route 60 and Denbigh Boulevard began populating the area. The growth of military facilities and missions nearby and the mass migration of citizens out of Downtown Newport News contributed to the area's growth.

By the 1990s, the Denbigh area began to show signs of disinvestment that continue to this day due in part to the development of newer commercial properties along the Jefferson Avenue corridor. This study will take a broad look at revitalization and redevelopment opportunities in the commercial areas along and adjacent to the Warwick Boulevard corridor and will provide direction for future public and private investment, as recommended in the City's proposed One City, One Future Comprehensive Plan 2040.

Organization

The Denbigh-Warwick Area Plan is being directed by the City's Department of Planning. The City commissioned Wallace Roberts & Todd (WRT), an integrated design firm of planners, urban designers, architects and landscape architects, to lead a consultant team comprised of The Miles Agency, which will coordinate the public engagement process, and Partners for Economic Solutions (PES), which will work with the team to develop economic development strategies.

A Core Team, comprising representatives of other City departments and key stakeholders, is also serving in an advisory capacity, streamlining concurrent efforts, assisting with data collection, and providing project oversight. City department representatives include: Development; City Manager's Office; Libraries; Police; Fire; Human Services; Court Services; and, Parks, Recreation and Tourism; in addition to Fort Eustis, Newport News Redevelopment and Housing Authority, and Newport News Public Schools.

In addition to multiple public meetings and engagement activities, a Citizen Advisory Group (CAG) will ensure the plan is community driven by providing regular feedback and serving as a liaison to their respective peers. The CAG will comprise leaders and influencers of a broad range of stakeholder groups identified in the area, including representatives from civic and social groups, faith-based organizations, youth organizations, cultural and historic groups, and businesses.