Pennrose Properties, NNRHA Break Ground on 73-Unit Mixed-Income Development in Downtown Newport News
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Pennrose Properties Properties and the Newport News Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NNRHA) broke ground June 11 on Choice Neighborhood V – Downtown, a 73-unit mixed-income residential development located at 2815 Washington Avenue in downtown Newport News. The project represents the fifth and final housing phase of the Marshall-Ridley Choice Neighborhood Initiative (CNI).
The groundbreaking drew community leaders, residents, and development partners to celebrate what officials described as the culmination of a multi-year, coordinated revitalization effort guided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Choice Neighborhoods framework.
Project Details
Choice Neighborhood V – Downtown will deliver 73 new apartment homes along with resident amenities and ground-floor commercial space. The inclusion of ground-floor commercial space is intended to support continued economic growth and neighborhood vitality along the Washington Avenue corridor.
Construction is expected to continue through 2027, with project completion anticipated in August 2027, according to Pennrose Properties.
"The groundbreaking marks the fifth and final phase of the Marshall-Ridley Choice Neighborhood Initiative," said Patrick Stewart, regional vice president at Pennrose. "Through our partnership with the Newport News Redevelopment and Housing Authority, we are proud to deliver 73 mixed-income homes and new retail space that will create a lasting impact in downtown Newport News. This marks a tremendous milestone for the Newport News community and a testament to the vision and dedication of everyone who has been part of this journey."
Marshall-Ridley Choice Neighborhood Initiative
Over the course of five housing phases, the Marshall-Ridley CNI has leveraged more than $120 million in housing investment, transforming the former Ridley Place community and surrounding area. The initiative has encompassed the development of mixed-income housing, infrastructure improvements, resident-focused services, and community amenities, according to the announcement from Pennrose Properties.
The initiative has also catalyzed broader neighborhood transformation, supporting investments in public infrastructure, community facilities, and quality-of-life improvements throughout the area.
"As we break ground on the final phase of Newport News CNI housing, we celebrate more than the completion of a project; we celebrate years of investment in people and neighborhoods," said Lysandra Shaw, Executive Director of NNRHA. "This milestone represents our unwavering commitment to providing quality housing and building stronger communities in the City of Newport News. The true success of this work is reflected in the lives that have been transformed and the futures that have been made brighter along the way."
Neighborhood Context
Choice Neighborhood V – Downtown is described by its developers as a bridge between the redevelopment of the Marshall-Ridley area and the ongoing revitalization of downtown Newport News. The site along Washington Avenue is positioned to activate a key corridor and attract additional investment to the area, according to the project announcement.
Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones highlighted the project's role in connecting the Southeast Community with downtown. "Choice Neighborhood V – Downtown reflects the steady, partnership-driven progress that strengthens communities and supports long-term growth," Jones said. "This project advances the continued transformation of the Marshall-Ridley Choice Neighborhood, strengthens the connection between the Southeast Community and Downtown, and reinforces the public investment and private-sector momentum that continue to drive revitalization in this important part of Newport News."
Outlook
The project was developed in partnership with the City of Newport News, Pennrose Properties, NNRHA, residents, and numerous public and private stakeholders. With construction underway and an August 2027 completion target, Choice Neighborhood V – Downtown is expected to add both residential capacity and ground-floor commercial space to the Washington Avenue corridor.