The cities of Norfolk, Newport News, and Chesapeake are benefiting from a $120 million U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) grant, awarded through the National Disaster Resilience Competition (NDRC). The funding supports strategies to protect the region from sea-level rise and recurrent flooding.
The Norfolk portion of the grant ($115 million) focuses on the Ohio Creek watershed, which includes the Norfolk State University campus and the Chesterfield Heights neighborhood. Design efforts will be measured against five key goals:
- Unite the region
- Create coastal resilience
- Build water management solutions
- Improve economic vitality
- Strengthen vulnerable neighborhoods
As part of its resilience efforts, Norfolk also appointed a Chief Resiliency Officer.
WPA is part of the core design team, working alongside firms from New Orleans, New York, and a multinational engineering firm. The team is responsible for community engagement, resilience strategy development, and schematic design. Planning efforts have centered on:
- Reinforcing the water’s edge with a community-enhancing berm that protects against flooding while integrating public amenities.
- Implementing right-of-way water storage under streets and sidewalks to retain rainfall.
- Improving pedestrian and community connections to surrounding areas.
These adaptations will allow residents and institutions in the watershed to thrive in the face of rising sea levels.
