Pennrose, Newport News Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NNRHA), community leaders, residents, and development partners gathered on June 11 to celebrate the groundbreaking for Choice Neighborhood V – Downtown, a new mixed-income residential development that marks the fifth and final housing phase of the Marshall-Ridley Choice Neighborhood Initiative (CNI) and a major milestone in the ongoing revitalization of downtown Newport News.

Located at 2815 Washington Avenue, Choice Neighborhood V – Downtown will add 73 new apartment homes to the city’s urban core, along with resident amenities and ground-floor commercial space to support continued economic growth and neighborhood vitality.

"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 (NNRHA), 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." 

The development marks the culmination of a comprehensive community revitalization effort led by the NNRHA in partnership with the City of Newport News, Pennrose, residents, and numerous public and private stakeholders. Guided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Choice Neighborhoods framework, the initiative has focused on coordinated investments in Housing, People, and Neighborhoods to expand opportunity and improve residents’ quality of life.

“Choice Neighborhood V – Downtown reflects the steady, partnership-driven progress that strengthens communities and supports long-term growth,” said Mayor Phillip Jones. “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.”

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 through the development of high-quality mixed-income housing, infrastructure improvements, resident-focused services, and community amenities.

The initiative has catalyzed broader neighborhood transformation, supporting investments in public infrastructure, community facilities, and quality-of-life improvements that benefit residents 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."

Choice Neighborhood V – Downtown, the final housing phase of the CNI, serves as a bridge between the successful redevelopment of Marshall-Ridley and the ongoing revitalization of downtown Newport News. Together, the housing developments, infrastructure investments, and community amenities reflect a coordinated effort to connect neighborhoods, expand economic opportunity, and build a stronger, more vibrant city.

The project also advances the city’s long-term vision for a thriving downtown by expanding housing opportunities, activating a key corridor along Washington Avenue, and attracting additional investment in the area.

Construction is expected to continue through 2027, with project completion anticipated in August 2027.