CNI Phase II: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

The second phase of housing for the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative (CNI) is underway. The project began in early 2022 with the demolition of the former Ridley Place Housing Community, which closed in 2021. A public event was held in February 2022 to commemorate this project and the rich history of the site. A groundbreaking ceremony was held in the fall of 2022 for the project, which will be a mixed-use development with new homes of varying sizes, commercial spaces, community amenities, and recreational opportunities. The CNI project is transforming the Marshall-Ridley area in the Southeast Community, creating new housing options, community services, parks, and more while revitalizing an historic neighborhood. And this past December, Sentara Healthcare announced an $11 million investment in the CNI project to serve as financial support for loan financing to complete Phase Two of the project.

While we are starting on Phase Two of housing for the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative, we held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the conclusion of the first phase of construction of new housing on December 6, 2022. The Lift & The Rise on Jefferson is a vibrant mixed-use development that blends affordable and market-rate living spaces. This residential area is reinvigorating economic growth in Newport News and creating a strong and thriving community. Offering 81 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments and six townhomes, the complex includes a variety of amenities including a community room, fitness area, community terrace and lounge, outdoor seating, play area, in-unit washers and dryers, controlled access doors with security cameras, and on-site management and maintenance. 

Phase II Welcomes a New Early Childhood Center!!!

On October 25, 2022, the City of Newport News, Peake Childhood Center, and Virginia Peninsula Community College broke ground on a new project to enhance early education outcomes and transform the lives of young people and their families in Newport News and beyond. The three organizations are partnering to create the Newport News Early Childhood Center, which will serve approximately 200 children ages 6 weeks to 5 years of age throughout the region. The Peake Childhood Center will be responsible for the programming and daily operations of the facility, which is expected to open in the summer of 2024. To learn more and donate, visit www.peakecc.org.

April 2022 CNI Community Update Meeting

On Thursday, April 28, 2022, The Newport News Redevelopment and Housing Authority and the City of Newport News hosted a community update meeting at Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center. This meeting included updates on the progress for the housing, people, and neighborhood plans.

Did you miss the meeting on April 28, 2022? If so, you can view the replay below or click here.

To stay updated on the progress and happenings in the Marshall-Ridley Choice Neighborhood, as well as community resources and services, subscribe to our email list by clicking here.

Ridley Place Commemorative Event, February 2022

WTKR News Channel 3: Newport News Choice Neighborhoods Initiative

In 2019, the City of Newport News and the Newport News Redevelopment and Housing Authority received a $30 million grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Choice Neighborhoods Initiative program. This grant is transforming the Marshall-Ridley area in the Southeast Community, creating new housing options, community services, recreational opportunities, and parks. 

A key component of the Marshall-Ridley Transformation Plan is engaging with former Ridley Place residents to ensure they are aware of available resources and have the support they need to thrive. The City of Newport News has partnered with Urban Strategies, Inc. (USI) to lead this important part of the Plan. USI will provide the following strategic pillars of service for each former Ridley household:

• Develop economic opportunities, with focuses on employment, entrepreneurship, and other strategies used to address the wealth gap for low-income and communities of color.

• Create cradle-to-college/career successes to ensure every scholar has access to equitable educational opportunities.

• Strengthen access to high quality health services to support healthy lifestyle outcomes for former Ridley residents of all ages.

• Implement a range of comprehensives human service supports to ensure households not only have supports to build stability, but also a pathway towards thriving.

Founded in 1978, USI is a leader in the field of community development, with extensive experience in place-based human capital development. USI will utilize its results-based, people-centered approach to partner with former residents of Ridley and the greater Newport News community. To learn more about USI, visit www.urbanstrategiesinc.org. 

The Neighborhood Leadership Institute is a 12-week, four-section educational and inspirational experience for residents of the Marshall-Ridley Choice Neighborhood and neighborhoods across the City of Newport News. Our vision is every resident of the City of Newport News is educated and equipped to lead our community.

Click here to learn more.

Questions: Call 757-926-8081.

“The icebreakers are always a treat! The speaker was informative and shed some light on a topic I was unaware about.” - Former Participant