Converting Urban Commercial to Mixed-Use Residential

Newport News, Virginia is dealing with the question of urban repurposing and infill:

reuse makes sense for urban spots that are no longer as economically viable, attractive or popular as they once were. That's the case for these warehouses along the railroad tracks in Hilton, which have more vacancies than going businesses.

Recycling city land reduces sprawl, and that's a good thing. When new residential developments spread into surrounding counties, claiming open land, woods and fields, there's a big downside.