![]() That led some residents to sue the city, saying it was improperly acting as a “co-developer.” The city learned in the process that the owners of Patrick Henry Mall were secretly bankrolling the lawsuit, heightening tensions around the proposed mall. The City Council rezoned the property to make way for the mall in 19. Kingston recalled the mall causing an uproar among some residents. “The mall was not the greatest idea,” Quarstein said. Not every development concept has fit that criterion. “It’s a balancing act,” Quarstein said, “and done properly, it could be really good for the city of Newport News.” Quarstein pointed to Hilton Village in Newport News as an example of a neighborhood that respects its history and said upscale housing could be a great solution to balance both the desire to develop and maintain the historic core of the area. ![]() She recalled that past development concepts treated the plantation house as a clubhouse, which she said was not the right way to develop around it. He also said houses should reflect the architecture of the area and the development should be “sympathetic” to the historic resources.Įlizabeth Kostelny, CEO of Preservation Virginia, said community involvement in planning a development is key so that people can provide input, such as if designs are compatible with the historic resource. “I understand the city’s need for development,” but efforts should be taken to preserve the view and land around the plantation house, Quarstein said. Quarstein said there are concerns with development near Lee Hall and Endview impacting the historic viewshed and character of the area, but he wasn’t opposed to development. Now retired, he worked with the city for years at both Endview and Lee Hall Mansion and oversaw numerous preservation projects throughout his career. Quarstein, a 30-year city employee, worked in the 1990s to allow the Virginia War Museum to use the Endview Plantation house for historic activities. The city acquired the property in 1995, and now welcomes visitors, offers educational programming and camps, and hosts Civil War re-enactments. The Endview Plantation House was built in 1769 and served as a Confederate hospital during the 1862 Peninsula Campaign, according to Endview’s website. City Manager Cindy Rohlf emphasized at Wednesday’s City Council work session that the city wanted the development process to be transparent and have city residents involved. Kingston said the city avoided rushing a development after the recession, choosing to wait until the market felt right to get the type of development it really wanted. In 2016, then-City Manager Jim Bourey revived plans to build at Endview. Newport News had a development agreement for the property about a decade ago, but that fell through because of the recession, Kingston said. In the past, citizen groups helped the city decide high-end housing was the best use for the property, both for revenue and to add new homes to the aging housing stock. She added that there would be a buffer between homes and the plantation house and that the developer would have to be mindful of how it approached the property. This type of project would attract executives and other business leaders who often seek out homes in other localities or on the water, Kingston said. The city doesn’t want tract housing on the property - it wants spacious lots with different styles of houses. The process also offers the city the flexibility to disregard ideas that don’t fit the city’s vision. 7 and will go out to the public next week, Kingston said.īuilding a team rather than asking for development proposals allows for more variety and creativity, Kingston said. The official posting that seeks people for the team was approved by the Economic Development Authority Sept. The city plans to seek out a highly experienced team of architects, contractors and other professionals to “plan, design, build and market a premier, predominantly residential community” at the city’s Endview property, which straddles Yorktown Road, Jefferson Avenue and the northern border of Newport News Park.
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