News Flash

June 23, 2017 – Plans to revitalize downtown Hampton were discussed during a Hampton Economic Development Authority meeting Tuesday, June 20. Development firm WVS and Virginia Beach-based Saunders + Crause Architects presented their development strategy.

In their presentation, developers focused on the demographics in the area being largely Baby Boomers and Millennials and discussed ideas that would attract and keep those groups in Hampton. An emphasis was also placed on better utilizing Hampton’s waterfront.

The heart of the plan would be mixed-use development. The plan would also include a new building for Virginia Tech’s Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center currently located behind the Virginia Air & Space Center on South King Street, and a destination restaurant on the waterfront.

The development would also focus on becoming a “connected and compact urban area” that would be developed in phases. The first phase would begin at King Street and Settlers Landing Road intersection by filling empty lots and parking lots that would attract activity to downtown.

The first phase proposes to bring 215 new residences – apartments and town homes – and more than 35,000 square feet of commercial space. Architectural and design concepts would pull from the industrial and historical buildings that already exist in the area.

The plan is still subject to approval. To view the complete development strategy click here.