Call Center Company in Newport News, VA

"I think it’s a win to ensure we can keep the historical aspect of this whole beautiful area," Flora Chioros said.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Newport News City Council unanimously voted to approve an order to rezone a vacant lot on Yorktown Road, on the Historic Endview Plantation, for a new housing development.

The new development will include 620 housing units consisting of townhomes, cottage-style homes, and single-family homes.

Flora Chioros, Assistant Director of Current Planning in Newport News, said the developer for this project was chosen back in 2019. Over 5 years later, the city gave the project a “go.”

“It’s an important project in terms of the overall layout, in terms of sustainability and in terms of increasing our housing stock across the city,” Chioros explained.

The development will be built at 350 Yorktown Road in Newport News, along the city’s border with York County.

Chioros said, in addition to the housing units, the project will consist of acres of open space along with walkable neighborhoods. The plans for the site work around historic artifacts to preserve the Historic Endview Plantation.

The Historic Endview Plantation was built in 1769. It is one of the last colonial buildings remaining in Newport News. It functioned as a Confederate hospital and headquarters for Confederate generals Lafayette McLaws and Robert Toombs during the Peninsula Campaign of 1862.

“For the city and the community at large, it allows the ability for you to visit the site and learn about Endview Plantation and what happened during the Civil War and the American Revolutionary War,” Chioros explained.

Chioros said it could take five to ten years before the development is near completion.

When the development is fully built, she said it will create a new community with new opportunities for home buyers in Newport News.

Newport News Shipbuilding will help build two additional Virginia-class submarines for the U.S. Navy.

Credit: HII

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Two additional Virginia-class submarines will be built with the help of Newport News Shipbuilding, according to announcements from HII and the U.S. Navy.

The shipbuilding team, which includes Newport News Shipbuilding and General Dynamics Electric Boat, will build the 11th and 12th fast-attack submarines of the Block V contract.

“We appreciate the teamwork that resulted in these critical national security assets being put under contract,” said Jason Ward, Newport News Shipbuilding's vice president of submarine construction. “We understand the advantage Virginia-class submarines bring to the sailors who operate them, and our shipbuilders are working with diligence to deliver them to the fleet.”

"I’m thrilled the Navy has awarded two additional Virginia-class submarines to Newport News Shipbuilding," U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) said in a statement Wednesday. "This is a testament to the hard work and leadership of Virginia’s shipbuilders and defense industry. I was proud to secure funding for these submarines in legislation we passed last year."

To date, Newport News Shipbuilding and General Dynamics Electric Boat have built and delivered 24 submarines. The contract modification signals the Navy's "commitment to maintaining its warfighting advantage," according to a news release from the U.S. Navy.

“We recently re-negotiated the planned contract to deliver this critical capability, and appropriately share risk between the Navy and industry,” said Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan. “We will be looking at all future contracts with a similar lens to ensure the appropriate level of risk sharing and value to the American taxpayer.”

RELATED: All shipbuilding contracts under review amid 'shortfalls,' Secretary of the Navy says in Hampton Roads visit

Last month, Phelan said all shipbuilding contracts were under review due to what he called "shipbuilding shortfalls" during a trip to Hampton Roads facilities. Phelan said warship construction and maintenance are often delayed and over-budget, which he described as "unacceptable."

The Navy was supposed to have a fleet of 313 ships by 2025, but their fiscal plan for the year indicates they will only have 287, falling short of the mark by 26 ships.

On Thursday, HII reported that 2025's first quarter revenues were down 2.5% from the same period in 2024. The company says this is due to lower volume and Newport News Shipbuilding, Ingalls Shipbuilding, and Mission Technologies.

The company reports that new contract awards in the first quarter of 2025 were $2.1 billion, bringing total backlog to approximately $48 billion as of March 31.

“We are encouraged by the pace of our operational initiatives in 2025. We expect [throughout] to ramp as we move through the year and, coupled with our cost savings initiatives, we expect steady improvement in support of our operational and financial goals," said Chris Kastner, HII’s president and CEO.

"We are also very supportive of the administration's commitment to expand our nation's shipbuilding capabilities and the maritime industrial base."

For Newport News Shipbuilding, first-quarter revenues were $1.4 billion, marking a 2.6% decrease from the same period in 2024.

"The decrease was primarily driven by lower volumes in aircraft carriers and naval nuclear support services, partially offset by higher volumes in the Columbia-class submarine program," the company stated in its quarterly report.

The segment operating income for the first quarter was $85 million, an increase of $3 million from the same period in 2024. The company reports that the segment operating margin in the first quarter of 2025 was 6.1% compared to 5.7% from the first quarter of 2024.

The company reports that the increases were primarily driven by contract incentives on the Virginia-class submarine program and higher volumes on the Columbia-class submarine program.

From Program Executive Office Attack Submarines Public Affairs

WASHINGTON – Naval Sea Systems Command has awarded a two-ship contract modification on the existing Virginia-class submarine Block V contract to General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) for the construction of two FY 2024 Virginia-class submarines.

The award signals the Navy’s commitment to maintaining its warfighting advantage in the undersea domain and continues the Virginia-class's teaming arrangement between prime contractor GDEB in Groton, Connecticut, and the major subcontractor Huntington Ingalls Shipbuilding, Newport News (HII-NNS) in Newport News, Virginia. To date, the Navy has taken delivery of 24 Virginia-class submarines, with an additional 16 now under contract.

“We recently re-negotiated the planned contract to deliver this critical capability, and appropriately share risk between the Navy and industry,” said Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan. “We will be looking at all future contracts with a similar lens to ensure the appropriate level of risk sharing and value to the American taxpayer.”

Contract modifications were also awarded to both GDEB and HII-NNS, to increase workforce support and investment across nuclear shipbuilding programs.

“By investing in the nuclear shipbuilding workforce—which is a national strategic asset—we are working with our industry partners to deliver on this most critical future requirement,” said Dr. Brett Seidle, acting Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development & Acquisition.

"The contract award is the result of a highly coordinated contracting effort across the nuclear shipbuilding enterprise, to promote stability at critical suppliers as the submarine industrial base ramps up to meet a historic increase in demand for submarine production," said Program Executive Officer, Attack Submarines, Rear Adm. Jon Rucker. "We are continuing to work closely with the shipbuilders to improve construction schedules to support the Navy’s need for a larger more lethal force."

Capable of performing traditional submarine missions, dominating the littoral battlespace and adapting to future requirements, the Virginia-class submarine satisfies any assigned role well into the 21st century.

For more information on Virginia-class submarines, visit: Attack Submarines (SSN)

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Newport News City Council approved to rezone a vacant lot at 350 Yorktown Road to develop new 620 housing units on the historic Endview Plantation.

At the corner of Yorktown Road at Endview Plantation the vacant lot is where a development made up of 393 single family homes and 182 townhomes will go. The site also will include nearly 32,000 square feet for commercial space and 125 acres of planned open space, including new trails that will connect to Newport News Park.

Bryan Skipworth lives near Endview and has concerns.

"It's going to be more hectic for anybody that has a business in this area, drives in this area, or who has kids in this area" said Bryan.

While some people see obstacles, the city sees opportunity for the land. Including home ownership and more people visiting Newport News.

Watch related: Newport News to take another look at Allen Iverson backed apartment development

"We always knew that we wanted to develop it for some sort of residential mixed use development" said Flora Chioros, Assistant Director-Current Planning.

Flora says the property is currently owned by Newport News Economic Development Authority.Recently, Newport News city council approved rezoning the vacant lot, which has a rich history as a national landmark dating back to the American Revolution and the Civil War.

Chioros says some parts of Endview will remain, like the burial sites when construction starts. City leaders say the land also is occupied by the Endview House and outbuildings, which are on the National Registrar of Historic Places and will continue to be open to the public.

Families who live less than a mile from Endview say they don't want major construction making bad traffic worse.

"When you leave in the morning to go to work you sit there at that corner for 5 minutes, before you can even move out. If you had 600 more units it's going to be even worse" Skipworth added.

Watch related: Hampton Roads families, individuals struggle with housing insecurity as shelters fill up

"I think that it's going to be troublesome. Getting out of here in the morning, and if your evening worker like I am, it's going to be even more so" said Keith Hoff, who lives near Endview.

The city is doing a series of traffic impact analysis studies. Some recommendations include turn lanes on Jefferson avenue and Yorktown road and an additional site entrance on Crafford road.

"There's always some pain but I think the long term goal will be to ensure that the transportation aspect of it actually works" said Flora.

Developers say the project will take between seven to 10 years to complete.

The Virginia Department of Transportation is initiating long-term lane closures on I-64 starting Monday through early 2026, causing some driver concerns.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — The Virginia Department of Transportation is warning drivers that long term lane closures on I-64 will start on Monday and are scheduled to be in place until early 2026.

Hampton Roads drivers told 13News Now that they're concerned about the lane reduction.

“It’s already frustrating. People cutting each other off, who knows, road rage is probably going to go up because people cannot be patient for anything," said Maria Grant.

“I’m sure they’re trying to look out for the future, but right now, we’re stuck," said Evangeline Wallace.

VDOT says these lane closures will be in place 24/7 until this phase of construction for the Hampton Roads Express Lane Project is complete.

“This is part of a multiphase approach to facility bridge construction," said Emily Tuttle with VDOT.

I-64 single-lane closures and traffic shifts will be in place at the J. Clyde Morris Blvd. overpass by exit 258, and towards Hampton Roads Center Parkway at exit 261 as a part of the Hampton Roads Express Lanes Newport News Segment Project.

RELATED: VDOT unveils major Newport News I-64 bridge rehab, lane closures start May 5

“The Newport News Segment of the Hampton Roads Express Lanes is part of what will ultimately be a 45-mile network of continuous express lanes in both directions, and those are going to be adjacent to the free, general purpose lanes on I-64 all the way from Newport News,” said Tuttle.

VDOT reminded drivers to use caution when traveling through work zones.

“Always obey the posted speed limits, follow lane markings, always drive distraction free when coming through work zones," said Tuttle.

“I think it’s going to suck for residents, to and from, who travel to Richmond or Busch Gardens," said Grant.

While concerned, Hampton Roads drivers said they look forward to the express lanes project being complete.

“In the long run, it will be worth it. It might take a while, but we just have to patient," said Wallace.