University of Central Florida, Orlando, October 19, 2025
The construction of the new Bounce House at the University of Central Florida (UCF) reflects the growing trend of innovative stadium builds seen in Virginia. As UCF enhances its sports facilities, West Virginia University’s engagement highlights the competitive spirit and infrastructural ambitions within college athletics. Both projects aim to elevate the spectator experience while strengthening community ties, showing how modern construction approaches are shaping the future of college sports across the region.
Richmond, Virginia – October 19, 2025
Virginia’s construction industry is experiencing significant growth, with major projects underway across the state, including the development of the Eastern Shore of Virginia Rail Trail, the construction of a new seafood market in Newport News, and the establishment of Virginia Public Media’s new headquarters in Richmond.
Eastern Shore of Virginia Rail Trail
Construction has commenced on the Eastern Shore of Virginia Rail Trail, a 49.1-mile paved bicycle and pedestrian path spanning from Cape Charles to Hallwood. The initial 3.5-mile segment, extending from downtown Cape Charles to U.S. Route 13 and Cheriton, began in April 2025 and is expected to be completed by Fall 2026. This trail aims to enhance recreational opportunities and promote tourism in the region.
Newport News Seafood Market
In Newport News, the northern portion of the city’s longstanding seafood harbor is set to undergo harbor dredging, dock replacements, and the installation of a new seafood market. These projects are expected to commence construction between January and July 2025, with the seafood market spanning approximately 7,800 square feet. The development aims to revitalize the harbor area and support the local seafood industry.
Virginia Public Media Headquarters
Virginia Public Media (VPM) has selected Clark Construction Group to build its new state-of-the-art headquarters in Richmond. The five-story, 54,000-square-foot facility will serve as a central hub for VPM’s operations, featuring modern news and radio broadcast studios, dedicated podcast and music recording studios, and administrative spaces. A portion of the building, including a rooftop space, is specifically designed to host community and special events, fostering engagement and educational opportunities for all ages.
Virginia Tech’s Innovation Campus in Alexandria
Virginia Tech has opened its new Innovation Campus in Alexandria’s Potomac Yard neighborhood. This tech-focused graduate school, supported by over $2 billion in pledges from Virginia and its partners, aims to educate and support more tech students. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities such as a public visitor’s center, Boeing Auditorium, classrooms, drone testing cage, and a cyber-physical lab. Future expansions include plans for two additional buildings.
Virginia Tech-Led Coalition’s Grant for Modular Construction
A Virginia Tech-led partnership has received more than $450,000 from the Appalachian Regional Commission to develop a workforce training strategy focused on modular construction. This initiative aims to address labor shortages and housing affordability by promoting efficient building methods across seven states, including Virginia.
Virginia’s Emphasis on 3D Printing in Construction
Virginia Housing has issued a $1.1 million grant for Virginia Tech to bring 3D printing technology to construction sites, with plans to build 10 affordable homes in conjunction with commercial builders. This effort seeks to demonstrate the viability of 3D printing in construction and its potential to address housing challenges in the state.
Virginia’s Budget Adjustments in Response to Federal Policies
Governor Glenn Youngkin has amended Virginia’s two-year budget by cutting $900 million to prepare for the economic impacts of federal policy changes, including cuts, workforce reductions, and tariffs. The majority of these cuts—$691 million—come from state funding for uninitiated construction projects, primarily at state universities.
Virginia’s Offshore Wind Energy Project
Dominion Energy is developing the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project, an offshore wind energy initiative located about 24 nautical miles off the coast of Virginia Beach. The project is expected to generate electricity equivalent to the consumption of 660,000 homes and is one of the first commercial offshore wind farms built in U.S. federal waters.
Virginia’s First Grid-Scale Fusion Power Plant
Commonwealth Fusion Systems plans to develop the world’s first grid-scale fusion power plant in Virginia, projecting to generate power by the early 2030s. This ambitious endeavor aims to revolutionize the energy industry by offering a nearly limitless, emissions-free power source, though it faces significant technological and regulatory challenges.
Virginia’s New River Valley Passenger Rail Station
Construction on the New River Valley Passenger Rail Station in Christiansburg officially commenced on April 22, 2025, with a groundbreaking ceremony attended by Governor Glenn Youngkin. The total budget for the project is $326.7 million, aiming to enhance transportation infrastructure in the region.
Virginia’s Commonwealth Corridor Passenger Rail Service
The Commonwealth Corridor is a proposed east-west inter-city passenger rail service in Virginia, aiming to establish a route between Newport News and the New River Valley. The project is included in the Federal Railroad Administration’s Corridor Identification and Development Program, which allocated $500,000 towards conducting and preparing the line.
Manassas Park Station Parking Garage Expansion
A 540-space, $34.6 million parking garage is under construction at the Manassas Park station, with completion expected in late 2025. This expansion aims to accommodate increased ridership and improve commuter experience in the region.
Virginia’s Women in Construction Week
Virginia celebrated Women in Construction Week as part of Women’s History Month, highlighting the contributions of women in the construction industry. Skanska USA Inc., which is constructing the largest building at Virginia State University, held a tour of the Alfred W. Harris Academic Commons building to showcase the role of women in construction.
Skyline Towers Collapse
On March 2, 1973, the 26-story Skyline Plaza condominium building, under construction in Bailey’s Crossroads, Virginia, collapsed, killing 14 construction workers and injuring 35 others. The collapse was attributed to the premature removal of shoring during construction, leading to one of the deadliest construction accidents in U.S. history.
Richmond’s Gun Hole Artifact
A unique piece of Richmond history—a sidewalk segment with a gun-shaped impression—has been added to the Valentine Museum’s collection. The artifact, known locally as “Richmond’s viral gun hole,” was discovered on South Addison Street and will be featured in the “This Is Richmond, Virginia” exhibition, opening on October 21, 2025.
Virginia Tech’s Coalition for Smart Construction
A groundbreaking ceremony was held for HITT Contracting’s new headquarters in Falls Church, Virginia. The Coalition for Smart Construction at Virginia Tech, an initiative that leverages the expertise and support research of faculty in Northern Virginia and Blacksburg, will occupy 40,000 square feet on the ground floor of the new building, aiming to advance construction technologies and practices.
Virginia’s Seafood Industrial Park Development
Newport News is undertaking the development of the Seafood Industrial Park, which includes harbor dredging, dock replacements, and the construction of a new seafood market. These projects are expected to commence construction between January and July 2025, aiming to revitalize the harbor area and support the local seafood industry.
Virginia Public Media’s New Headquarters
Virginia Public Media (VPM) has selected Clark Construction Group to build its new state-of-the-art headquarters in Richmond. The five-story, 54,000-square-foot facility will serve as a central hub for VPM’s operations, featuring modern news and radio broadcast studios, dedicated podcast and music recording studios, and administrative spaces. A portion of the building, including a rooftop space, is specifically designed to host community and special events, fostering engagement and educational opportunities for all ages.
Virginia Tech’s Innovation Campus in Alexandria
Virginia Tech has opened its new Innovation Campus in Alexandria’s Potomac Yard neighborhood. This tech-focused graduate school, supported by over $2 billion in pledges from Virginia and its partners, aims to educate and support more tech students. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities such as a public visitor’s center, Boeing Auditorium, classrooms, drone testing cage, and a cyber-physical lab. Future expansions include plans for two additional buildings.
Virginia Tech-Led Coalition’s Grant for Modular Construction
A Virginia Tech-led partnership has received more than $450,000 from the Appalachian Regional Commission to develop a workforce training strategy focused on modular construction. This initiative aims to address labor shortages and housing affordability by promoting efficient building methods across seven states, including Virginia.
Virginia’s Emphasis on 3D Printing in Construction
Virginia Housing has issued a $1.1 million grant for Virginia Tech to bring 3D printing technology to construction sites, with plans to build 10 affordable homes in conjunction with commercial builders. This effort seeks to demonstrate the viability of 3D printing in construction and its potential to address housing challenges in the state.
Virginia’s Budget Adjustments in Response to Federal Policies
Governor Glenn Youngkin has amended Virginia’s two-year budget by cutting $900 million to prepare for the economic impacts of federal policy changes, including cuts, workforce reductions, and tariffs. The majority of these cuts—$691 million—come from state funding for uninitiated construction projects, primarily at state universities.
Virginia’s Offshore Wind Energy Project
Dominion Energy is developing the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project, an offshore wind energy initiative located about 24 nautical miles off the coast of Virginia Beach. The project is expected to generate electricity equivalent to the consumption of 660,000 homes and is one of the first commercial offshore wind farms built in U.S. federal waters.
Virginia’s First Grid-Scale Fusion Power Plant
Commonwealth Fusion Systems plans to develop the world’s first grid-scale fusion power plant in Virginia, projecting to generate power by the early 2030s. This ambitious endeavor aims to revolutionize the energy industry by offering a nearly limitless, emissions-free power source, though it faces significant technological and regulatory challenges.
Virginia’s New River Valley Passenger Rail Station
Construction on the New River Valley Passenger Rail Station in Christiansburg officially commenced on April 22, 2025, with a groundbreaking ceremony attended by Governor Glenn Youngkin. The total budget for the project is $326.7 million, aiming to enhance transportation infrastructure in the region.
Virginia’s Commonwealth Corridor Passenger Rail Service
The Commonwealth Corridor is a proposed east-west inter-city passenger rail service in Virginia, aiming to establish a route between Newport News and the New River Valley. The project is included in the Federal Railroad Administration’s Corridor Identification and Development Program, which allocated $500,000 towards conducting and preparing the line.
Manassas Park Station Parking Garage Expansion
A 540-space, $34.6 million parking garage is under construction at the Manassas Park station, with completion expected in late 2025. This expansion aims to accommodate increased ridership and improve commuter experience in the region.
Virginia’s Women in Construction Week
Virginia celebrated Women in Construction Week as part of Women’s History Month, highlighting the contributions of women in the construction industry. Skanska USA Inc., which is constructing the largest building at Virginia State University, held a tour of the Alfred W. Harris Academic Commons building to showcase the role of women in construction.
Skyline Towers Collapse
On March 2, 1973, the 26-story Skyline Plaza condominium building, under construction in Bailey’s Crossroads, Virginia, collapsed, killing 14 construction workers and injuring 35 others. The collapse was attributed to the premature removal of shoring during construction, leading to one of the deadliest construction accidents in U.S. history.
Richmond’s Gun Hole Artifact
A unique piece of Richmond history—a sidewalk segment with a gun-shaped impression—has been added to the Valentine Museum’s collection. The artifact, known locally as “Richmond’s viral gun hole,” was discovered on South Addison Street and will be featured in the “This Is Richmond, Virginia” exhibition, opening on October 21, 2025.
Virginia Tech’s Coalition for Smart Construction
A groundbreaking ceremony was held for HITT Contracting’s new headquarters in Falls Church, Virginia. The Coalition for Smart Construction at Virginia Tech, an initiative that leverages the expertise and support research of faculty in Northern Virginia and Blacksburg, will occupy 40,000 square feet on the ground floor of the new building, aiming to advance construction technologies and practices.
Virginia’s Seafood Industrial Park Development
Newport News is undertaking the development of the Seafood Industrial Park, which includes harbor dredging, dock replacements, and the construction of a new seafood market. These projects are expected to commence construction between January and July 2025, aiming to revitalize the harbor area and support the local seafood industry.
Virginia Public Media’s New Headquarters
Virginia Public Media (VPM) has selected Clark Construction Group to build its new state-of-the-art headquarters in Richmond. The five-story, 54,000-square-foot facility will serve as a central hub for VPM’s operations, featuring modern news and radio broadcast studios, dedicated podcast and music recording studios, and administrative spaces. A portion of the building, including a rooftop space, is specifically designed to host community and special events, fostering engagement and educational opportunities for all ages.
Virginia Tech’s Innovation Campus in Alexandria
Virginia Tech has opened its new Innovation Campus in Alexandria’s Potomac Yard neighborhood. This tech-focused graduate school, supported by over $2 billion in pledges from Virginia and its partners, aims to educate and support more tech students. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities such as a public visitor’s center, Boeing Auditorium, classrooms, drone testing cage, and a cyber-physical lab. Future expansions include plans for two additional buildings.
Virginia Tech-Led Coalition’s Grant for Modular Construction
A Virginia Tech-led partnership has received more than $450,000 from the Appalachian Regional Commission to develop a workforce training strategy focused on modular construction. This initiative aims to address labor shortages and housing affordability by promoting efficient building methods across seven states, including Virginia.
Virginia’s Emphasis on 3D Printing in Construction
Virginia Housing has issued a $1.1 million grant for Virginia Tech to bring 3D printing technology to construction sites, with plans to build 10 affordable homes in conjunction with commercial builders. This effort seeks to demonstrate the viability of 3D printing in construction and its potential to address housing challenges in the state.
Virginia’s Budget Adjustments in Response to Federal Policies
Governor Glenn Youngkin has amended Virginia’s two-year budget by cutting $900 million to prepare for the economic impacts of federal policy changes, including cuts, workforce reductions, and tariffs. The majority of these cuts—$691 million—come from state funding for uninitiated construction projects, primarily at state universities.
Virginia’s Offshore Wind Energy Project
Dominion Energy is developing the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project, an offshore wind energy initiative located about 24 nautical miles off the coast of Virginia Beach. The project is expected to generate electricity equivalent to the consumption of 660,000 homes and is one of the first commercial offshore wind farms built in U.S. federal waters.
Virginia’s First Grid-Scale Fusion Power Plant
Commonwealth Fusion Systems plans to develop the world’s first grid-scale fusion power plant in Virginia, projecting to generate power by the early 2030s. This ambitious endeavor aims to revolutionize the energy industry by offering a nearly limitless, emissions-free power source, though it faces significant technological and regulatory challenges.
Virginia’s New River Valley Passenger Rail Station
Construction on the New River Valley Passenger Rail Station in Christiansburg officially commenced on April 22, 2025, with a groundbreaking ceremony attended by Governor Glenn Youngkin. The total budget for the project is $326.7 million, aiming to enhance transportation infrastructure in the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What projects are driving Virginia’s construction growth?
- Virginia’s construction industry is experiencing significant growth, with major projects underway across the state, including the development of the Eastern Shore of Virginia Rail Trail, the construction of a new seafood market in Newport News, and the establishment of Virginia Public Media’s new headquarters in Richmond.
- What is the Eastern Shore of Virginia Rail Trail?
- Construction has commenced on the Eastern Shore of Virginia Rail Trail, a 49.1-mile paved bicycle and pedestrian path spanning from Cape Charles to Hallwood. The initial 3.5-mile segment, extending from downtown Cape Charles to U.S. Route 13 and Cheriton, began in April 2025 and is expected to be completed by Fall 2026. This trail aims to enhance recreational opportunities and promote tourism in the region.
- What is happening with the Newport News harbor projects?
- In Newport News, the northern portion of the city’s longstanding seafood harbor is set to undergo harbor dredging, dock replacements, and the installation of a new seafood market. These projects are expected to commence construction between January and July 2025, with the seafood market spanning approximately 7,800 square feet. The development aims to revitalize the harbor area and support the local seafood industry.
- What will the Virginia Public Media headquarters include?
- Virginia Public Media (VPM) has selected Clark Construction Group to build its new state-of-the-art headquarters in Richmond. The five-story, 54,000-square-foot facility will serve as a central hub for VPM’s operations, featuring modern news and radio broadcast studios, dedicated podcast and music recording studios, and administrative spaces. A portion of the building, including a rooftop space, is specifically designed to host community and special events, fostering engagement and educational opportunities for all ages.
- What is Virginia Tech’s Innovation Campus about?
- Virginia Tech has opened its new Innovation Campus in Alexandria’s Potomac Yard neighborhood. This tech-focused graduate school, supported by over $2 billion in pledges from Virginia and its partners, aims to educate and support more tech students. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities such as a public visitor’s center, Boeing Auditorium, classrooms, drone testing cage, and a cyber-physical lab. Future expansions include plans for two additional buildings.
- What support is there for modular construction in Virginia?
- A Virginia Tech-led partnership has received more than $450,000 from the Appalachian Regional Commission to develop a workforce training strategy focused on modular construction. This initiative aims to address labor shortages and housing affordability by promoting efficient building methods across seven states, including Virginia.
Key Table: Features of the Post
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Eastern Shore of Virginia Rail Trail | 49.1-mile paved path from Cape Charles to Hallwood; initial 3.5-mile segment began April 2025; completion expected Fall 2026; aims to boost recreation and tourism |
| Newport News Seafood Market & Harbor Work | Harbor dredging, dock replacements, new seafood market; construction expected Jan–July 2025; market ~7,800 sq ft; revitalizes harbor and supports seafood industry |
| VPM Headquarters | Five-story, 54,000 sq ft facility in Richmond; modern studios; rooftop events space |
| Virginia Tech Innovation Campus (Alexandria) | Potomac Yard campus; over $2B in pledges; public visitor center, Boeing Auditorium, drone testing cage, cyber-physical lab; future expansion planned |
| Modular Construction Grant | More than $450,000 from Appalachian Regional Commission; workforce training strategy across seven states including Virginia |
| 3D Printing in Construction | $1.1M Virginia Housing grant to VT; 10 affordable homes planned with commercial builders |
| Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind | Offshore wind project ~24 nautical miles off Virginia Beach; power for ~660,000 homes; among first commercial offshore wind farms in federal waters |
| New River Valley Rail Station | Christiansburg project; $326.7M budget; construction began April 22, 2025 |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Virginia City Proposes New Casino Resort to Enhance Tourism
AECOM Hunt-Turner JV Selected for Cleveland Browns Stadium Rebuild
Ashghal awards QR12 billion in 13 contracts to upgrade roads, drainage and public buildings
Missouri State Opens Construction Education Success Center at Kemper Hall
Merle Hay Mall to replace vacant store with multipurpose arena
Merle Hay Mall scaled-back arena seeks $26.5M state rebate amid review
West Palm Beach development roundup: major hotel loans, new district and resort opening
Saudi Arabian Railways Launches Tender for Railway Project in Dammam
District 218 Unveils $79 Million Athletic Facility Upgrades
Indian Prairie District 204 Approves High School Renovations
Author: VIRGINIA STAFF WRITER
The VIRGINIA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at constructionvanews.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Virginia and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Virginia Build Expo, major infrastructure projects, and advancements in construction technology showcases. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Associated Builders and Contractors of Virginia and the Home Builders Association of Virginia, plus leading businesses in construction and legal services that power the local economy such as CMiC Global and Williams Mullen. As part of the broader network, including constructioncanews.com, constructionnynews.com, and constructiontxnews.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into the dynamic construction landscape across multiple states.
