NEWPORT NEWS, Va - Newport News' City Hall is currently in the downtown area of Newport News, but it may not be there for long. The city is considering relocating city hall to City Center.
"I had mixed emotions about moving city hall to the East End to the central part of the city. We have to do what’s best for the citizens. A lot of citizens have spoke up and said they want something that is more centralized," Newport News councilman John Eley said.
Newport News Councilman John Eley says with moving city hall away from downtown, comes revitalization for downtown.
"It’s been a lot of interest and a lot of developers who want to build a lot of big hotels and revenue driving entities,"Eley said.
He says a few developers have come forward with ideas.
"We’ve heard all ideas and we’re still looking for ideas. Hotels, rooftop restaurants," Eley said.
With only a few restaurants downtown, a downtown bartender says he likes the idea of revitalizing the area.
"If we give people a reason, they are always going to come. Right now, unfortunately a restaurant around the corner had to shut down," a bartender at Gastro at 23rd restaurant said.
Mayor Phillip Jones says talks about city hall moving to city center is all premature and nothing has been put into place.
“We had a meeting last week to discuss the strategic plan and vision for the city. The meeting was about 6 to 7 hour meeting. The actually city hall discussion was 10 minutes. Nothing is going to happen in the city unless citizens sign off on it and we have their full support,” Jones said.
“Post COVID, foot traffic at city hall is at all time low. Additionally foot traffic in city center is warning as well. One idea is to potentially look at moving city hall to city center that will increase foot traffic in city center. It will help citizens who live in the north, central and south meet in a central location. It would allow the yard district to have some room to grow,” Jones said.
City Center is filled with stores and restaurants which some residents believe is a more convenient location for city hall.
"I’m one of the people that goes over town to pay my property taxes so it would be nice if they had a spot right here so I could handle anything that I need," one Newport News resident said.
"How far is the drive when you have to go to city hall to pay your property taxes?" News 3's Leondra Head asked. "About 15 or 20 minutes going downtown," the resident said.
"Good for city hall, city center is a great spot. We come here all the time," another resident said.
"I’ve talked to residents across the communities and residents are excited about the possibility of moving city center," Eley said.
Councilman Eley says the next step is to have town hall meetings with residents to see what all citizens want.
