NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Navy leaders and HII are spending nearly $80 million on a new building at Newport News Shipbuilding.
According to Naval Sea Systems Command, the funds go toward a building that will improve the quality of life for both sailors and shipbuilders here at the shipyard. The "Carrier Refueling Overhaul Workcenter" (CROW) will be for sailors and shipbuilders to use while assigned to ships in the Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) at Newport News Shipbuilding.
A spokesperson for HII said the building will sit mid-yard between the dry dock and the outfitting pier that supports RCOH.
A post on Facebook from Navy Sea Systems Command said the new 80,000-square-foot building will include office spaces for sailors and shipbuilders, a fitness center, counseling offices, and other areas sailors can utilize.
The local steelworkers' union declined to comment at this time.
The announcement comes weeks after the announcement of the construction of a new parking garage to be built at the shipyard, adding 2,000 new parking spots. It’s something one shipbuilder said is needed.
“I used to always hear stories growing up as a kid from my aunt and my granddad working here in the past, talking about how bad parking can be or how early you have to wake up to get a decent parking spot,” he told 13News Now.
Sailors and shipbuilders we spoke with off-camera are excited about the new building.
“When you hear stuff like that, it makes you feel good," the shipbuilder said. "It makes you feel like at least somebody's thinking about the everyday workers. I like hearing stuff like that and I can't wait to for it to be built.”
HII said the process for selecting a contractor is currently underway. Construction is set to be complete by June of 2026.