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2004, NNRHA completed phase I which is a 50-unit mid-rise building for elderly and
disabled residents. Phase II involving 40 new townhouses is currently under
development.
Improve the viability of the community and neighborhood retail/commercial corridors
The improvement of the Jefferson Avenue, Chestnut Avenue, and 39th Street
retail/commercial corridors represents a critical goal of the NRSA effort. Furthermore, this
goal reflects the desire to assist businesses located in the corridors to enable them to
better address the shopping and service needs of Southeast Community residents.
Although each corridor currently contains modest levels of retail and commercial activity,
some businesses present a positive exterior impression while others display an eclectic
and sometimes unappealing appearance for residents and consumers in the community.
Therefore, the goal to improve the viability of these corridors involves efforts to
create a safe and attractive environment which encourages pedestrian-oriented shoppers
from the immediately adjacent residential areas while providing accessible parking at
strategic locations. The streetscape activities along Chestnut Avenue represent an
example of the potential improvements envisioned for the Jefferson Avenue Corridor
initially concentrated between 25th and 36th Streets. In addition to streetscape activities,
the Virginia MainStreet Program incorporates other activities to revitalize older retail and
commercial corridors. As part of the nationally recognized MainStreet Program, the
Virginia program encourages approaches such as façade improvement assistance,
capacity building for merchants associations, and cooperative marketing events for
participating commercial/retail corridors. The Chestnut Avenue Corridor received the
affiliate Main Street designation during the initial NRSA plan period.
As part of the MainStreet efforts, it is anticipated that the local merchants in
partnership with NNRHA will seek the support of local universities to develop planning
and marketing strategies for the corridors. A previous example of such cooperation
occurred in the Hilton Village section of Newport News. Students from Old Dominion
University worked with the Citizens for Hilton Area Revitalization to generate the Hilton
Village Economic Development Study: A Plan for the Future which was published by the
City of Newport News. The MainStreet model is referenced in this document.
In addition to strengthening the ability of existing businesses to provide necessary
services in the community, opportunities will likely exist for new businesses to emerge
along the corridors. As part of promoting such business development, it is anticipated a
variety of existing tools including low-interest loan programs and enterprise zone benefits
will attract new business. Furthermore, NNRHA and the City Department of Development
will work to identify potential business franchise opportunities that will address the retail
and service needs of the community. During the initial NRSA plan period, NNRHA and
the City Development Department initiated a Façade Improvement Assistance Program
which has assisted several businesses along Chestnut Avenue.Jump to an indexed page (228 of 228)