PORTSMOUTH, Va. —
The 2024 State of the City of Address for Portsmouth highlighted the past year's success and charted a course for the next.
Mayor Shannon Glover spoke to a room of more than 500 people at Rivers Casino Portsmouth on Friday. Glover's first point of emphasis touted the city's growth and affordability as a place to live.
"Portsmouth has diversified real estate housing options that other communities simply cannot offer," Glover said.
The heart of his speech focused on increasing maritime and shipping business in the city. He wants the city to become a beacon for the maritime industry. That hope begins with the announcement of a new offshore wind energy farm.
"Portsmouth should aspire to be an East Coast maritime epicenter in the newly emerging blue economy," Glover said.
Revitalizing downtown and the waterfront were other points of emphasis. He announced the development of Crawford Bay at the site of the former Holiday Inn and Visitor Center. The city says they're taking ideas for how to redevelop the space.
Downtown Portsmouth is also receiving an update: a new innovation district is stretching through the area.
"We are working to revitalize the High Street corridor within the newly established Portsmouth Innovation District, " Glover said.
Crime in the city was saved for near the end of his speech. Mayor Glover noted the numbers were down.
“34% reduction in violent crime incidents and violent crime victims and a reduction in property crime incidents and a 22% reduction in property crime victims,” Glover said.
Glover ended his speech by saying the present and future are strong, but that more work needs to be done to get it where he can see it going.