Nearly 350 attended the Chamber’s Portsmouth State of the City on April 8 at the Renaissance Portsmouth Hotel & Waterfront Conference Center.  The crowd heard from Mayor James W. Holley, III, and City Manager Ken Chandler, and watched a video highlighting the successes of the city. 

The City announced plans for a City Center, which would expand Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center.  The Center, to be built at the site of the old Woodrow Wilson High School, will include office and retail space, a hotel, and homes.  This is a venture between developer Bob Williams, former Portsmouth City Manager, and Armada Hoffler.

Mayor James W. Holley, III addressed the crowd and was pleased to announce that in the last year the Coast Guard has designated Portsmouth a “Coast Guard City.”  Other successes for the city included 100% accreditation for Portsmouth public schools, public safety improvements leading to a crime rate deduction, a new Tidewater Community College campus, renovations to the Children’s museum, and plans for a new Jordan Bridge and new courthouse.

Thank you to series sponsors: TowneBank (Presenting); Farm Fresh (Gold), Cox Communications (Media), Bon Secours Virginia Health System (Bronze), and Tivest Development and Construction, LLC (Partner).