NORFOLK — The Hampton Roads area could soon see new Navy housing that would provide beds for about 8,000 sailors, area officials announced Monday.
A bipartisan group of state and local elected officials participated in a roundtable discussion with U.S. Navy personnel on federal, state and local investments in the Hampton Roads region. The goal was to bring all levels of government together to ensure a unified approach, including timelines, on revitalizing downtown Newport News around the shipyard.
“This is an effort to make Newport News the center for excellence for shipbuilding,” Rep. Rob Wittman said during a news conference at the U.S. Navy Tour and Information Office in Norfolk. “This is about prioritizing quality of life for our sailors, quality of life for our men and women that work at the shipyard. We know we have to be successful in both those enterprises. If we’re going to recruit and retain the best in our Navy, we have to take care of them.”
Vice Adm. Christopher “Scotty” Gray said the Navy is looking at creating 8,000 new beds for sailors in Hampton Roads. He said 1,000 to 1,500 beds would likely be in Newport News, although he noted the Navy is still working on specifics. He said he hopes the Navy has worked out a project timeline by the fall.