The Newtown Strategic Growth Area (SGA) is a principal gateway to the City of Virginia Beach and is bisected by I-264. Much of the area is developed with low to mid-rise structures comprising a mix of office and light industrial uses of varying quality. However, there exist a number of undeveloped and underdeveloped properties along Cleveland Street to the north and Greenwich Road to the south. There are many current issues that will influence land use in this area, including the adjacent light rail station in Norfolk, the proposed Cleveland Street Flyover and plans for the Norfolk Southern right-of-way. 

The City has hired Urban Design Associates, a world renowned firm with headquarters in Pittsburgh, PA, to prepare an implementation plan for this area utilizing the recommendations generated through citizen and stakeholder input.

Public meetings to solicit input are the first steps in an ongoing process of seeking direction from the public and using it to guide the future of this area and the development of the plan. 

On Wednesday, September 30, the City of Virginia Beach held the first round of public meetings for the Newtown SGA.  Focus Groups including residents, business owners, property owners and transportation experts met throughout the day.

A public meeting the following evening on Thursday, October 1 drew a crowd of over 100 people.  The consultant team, led by Urban Design Associates, posed three questions at each session challenging participants to develop a list and graphically portray strengths, weaknesses and opportunities for the SGA. A map of each category can be viewed in the document: Newtown SGA Focus Group & Public Meeting Input: Understand, Explore, Decide - A look at strengths, weaknesses and opportunities for the area.

Through discussions with participants on both Wednesday and Thursday, a list of Draft Design Principles was developed. These principles will guide the consultant team as they develop design alternatives for the SGA.

Additional public meetings are planned in December to refine these principles and obtain additional input from the public.