In addition to developing the beach, sports fields, and dining locations for visitors, this City Farm Plan includes the potential for residential housing. Residential housing is perhaps the most controversial topic in regards to the development of the City Farm property. The city council would set restrictions for the construction of residential housing and developers would work within those restrictions.
These condos would have a view of the water but would be set back a bit to ensure that they do not block anyone else's view. Developers would pay the city for the land on which to build, thus providing the city with a sum of money to use on these improvements to the City Farm property. The people who move into the housing would also produce tax revenue for the city. The City Farm property may not be able to reach its full potential without the money provided by developers or the revenue produced by residents.
So now it's time to let us know what YOU think:
- What concerns do you have (if any) about the construction of residential housing in the area?
- Should residential housing even be included in the City Farm Plan? Why or why not?
Please feel free to add comments, ask questions, and express your concerns!
This is one reason why Riverview Farm Parks history should be preserved at Warwick Town. https://youtu.be/hQbaFh0pZi8
The reality is that without the housing component, the rest is unlikely to happen as there is no revenue being generated to pay for the building and upkeep of the rest and the City budget is already stretched.
I think these ideas are great in that they bring great public space and preserve what’s already there without further burdening tax payers. It would be great to have another public beach in Newport News!
Is it Frye Industries that is trying to build the condos on the City Farm. City Council will bring up a vote soon, and why couldn’t city Council buy the Menchvillie Marina. You could have had the condos on that site with and up scale marina, and restaurants that had patio’s with Deep Creek water views. The Condo Marina Complex would be like the ones you see in San Diego, California, of Tampa, Florida. There should be an award winning landscape architectural firm to provide the concept of both City Farm, and Riverview Farm Park as one City Park. The Condo’s would still have a river view, and access to the trails.
I certainly hope the proposed condos would be done by an upscale company with a strong architecture and landscaping team. I appreciate your input, James– great ideas as usual.
Why would you put luxury condos near a sewage treatment plant? The City Farm should be apart of the Riverview Farm Park. Can the Newport News Arts Foundation erect a sculpture for Warwick Town with a formal Garden of plants that are native to Virginia. Could we have some historical preservation of the Warwick Town foundations like the Denbigh Plantation. Maybe interpretive center that was recommended after one of the first archeological excavations of the City Farm. This would be historical preservation of the being of Warwick County, and the City of Newport News
Condos are a suggestion – ultimately it is up to the city and private developers to decide if it is a good place for them. The sewage treatment plant is far enough from where the condos would likely be that it isn’t an eyesore or ear-sore, and the water that comes out of the treatment plant is clean. The area is quite pretty and I think that there would be plenty of people interested in living there. Thanks for those suggestions! I also like the idea of tying in the history of the area.
Peggy M. commented on the Facebook page on 8/24 and I thought it was worth sharing here as well:
“i LIKE THE idea of the condominiums – there are a “ton” of us out here who would like to downsize now that the kids are out – there are not that many condominium options out there – that appeal to me anyway – move the condos closer to the water … I’d like a view of the water!”
A great big “NO!” on the residential area. I don’t have any major issues with other areas, just this one component.
I thought it was promised to be solely for recreation….no housing.
I am not for adding any residential housing. There are several high end neighborhoods near there. There are high end condos on the water near there. Having a public walkway from the condos to the beach area would be nice.
If housing is considered, possiblely consider luxury condos (with garages) for an active 50+ community, where having public parks and recreations wouldn’t be to much of a nucanse. Maybe add a community Garden to go along with the restaurants and walking paths described.
Very good ideas, thank you for sharing.