Last Thursday, Jan. 30 was the annual Newport News State of the City Address hosted right here on campus in the Ferguson Center for the Performing Arts. The State of the City Address is a speech given by the mayor to outline the achievements from the year as well as proposed policy and improvement areas for the city, and this year’s slogan was “Our City, Our Story, Our Moment.”
Mayor Phillip Jones, who took office in Jan. 2023 as the youngest directly elected mayor in Newport News history, reflected on the year in areas of economic growth, public safety and city development. Former Newport News mayors were also in attendance, including Barry E. Duval, Joseph C. Ritchie and McKinley L. Price.
President Kelly gave a welcoming address expressing appreciation for the strong partnership between Christopher Newport University and the city of Newport News, citing the many volunteer and professional relationships fostered between CNU students and faculty and the Newport News community.
President Kelly remarked that he hopes members of the Newport News community will consider CNU their “hometown university” and participate in many of the public events that CNU has to offer.
Following President Kelly’s address, Mayor Jones began his statement. Jones celebrated Newport News for being recognized back in August as an All-American City for the first time in Newport News history. The All-American City award honors cities that demonstrate civic engagement, collaboration, inclusiveness and innovation.
Jones additionally reflected on city development projects, highlighting his intention to expand the downtown area via “mixed-use developments, modern infrastructure and dynamic public spaces.” Jones discussed plans in place to create a “streamlined rapid permit process” for entrepreneurs in order to create a “business-friendly” city as well as efforts to ensure accreditation for all Newport News public schools by 2030.
WAVY News reported that Jones additionally outlined his continued commitment to public safety as his “number one” priority, reporting that last year marked a “25%” decrease in gun violence and a “52%” decrease in homicides.
Jones also disclosed plans to increase the police force to over 500 officers, which would make it the largest police force in Newport News history. These efforts are in line with larger public safety efforts in the Commonwealth, such as Operation Bold Blue Line and Operation Ceasefire, that target gun violence.
Mayor Jones closed his address by remarking, “this is our moment,” highlighting a commitment to dynamic growth and change in Newport News for the better.
