Harbor Homes and Dickerson Court and their demolition

Harbor Homes and Dickerson Court were apartment buildings constructed in the 1940s and 1950s and located between Jefferson and Terminal Avenues adjacent to the coal export terminals in Southeast Newport News. The residences were demolished in [years], with City Council subsequently rezoning the land under Harbor Homes as Heavy Industrial and under Dickerson Court as M1 Light Industrial.

While there is no public record in government documents or statements, many former residents of Harbor Homes and Dickerson Court and in Southeast Newport News maintain the apartments were demolished at least in part because of the adverse impacts of coal dust on health and quality of life.

During public comment on the rezoning, residents of nearby homes reiterated concerns about coal dust pollution and expressed worries that new pollution facilities would move in to these locations, further exacerbating pollution burdens.

Documents

• Newport News Redevelopment and Housing Authority Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting, June 15, 2021
• City Planning Commission Meeting Minutes, City of Newport News, November 3, 2021