The following is a statement released on April 20, 2026 by the Shoe Lane Joint Task Force established by Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones and Christopher Newport University President William G. Kelly. The Task Force is studying the historical actions surrounding the removal of the historic Shoe Lane community and the expansion of Christopher Newport University’s campus. The Task Force must issue recommendations that “more fully serve the City of Newport News and the University in the future” to meet its charge.
The Task Force will host four community meetings in May, referred to as listening sessions. Two will be held in person, and two will be virtual. These sessions will provide an opportunity for Task Force members to listen to and better understand the perspectives of directly impacted families and community members, which will help inform the recommendation process.
Listening Sessions For Directly Impacted Families
These meetings will be only for families who lived in the affected Shoe Lane area at the time they were displaced by the University’s growth and expansion. You only need to attend one meeting.
- Wednesday, May 6 (virtual), from 7 - 8:30 p.m. A link will be shared closer to the event.
- Saturday, May 9 (in-person), from 10 - 11:30 a.m., at City Life Church located at 311 Selden Road in Newport News.
Listening Sessions For the Community-At-Large
These meetings are open to the Newport News community. You only need to attend one meeting.
- Saturday, May 2 (in-person), from 10 - 11:30 a.m., at City Life Church located at 311 Selden Road in Newport News.
- Thursday, May 14 (virtual), from 7 - 8:30 p.m. A link will be shared closer to the event.
If you are interested in attending the listening sessions for directly impacted families, please RSVP here.
If you are interested in attending the community-at-large listening sessions, please RSVP here.
For more information about the Shoe Lane Joint Task Force, visit https://www.library.nnva.gov/368/The-Shoe-Lane-Task-Force.
Discussions during the in-person and virtual listening sessions for families are private, and attendance is limited to the Task Force and family members. News media may attend the community meeting only and conduct interviews at its conclusion. Task Force representatives will also be available for comment at the conclusion of the in-person community event on Saturday, May 2.