The Making of a City : J. C. Biggins' Newport News, 1925-1965

THE MAKING OF A CITY is about Newport News, Virginia during the four decades it was managed by one person, Joseph C. Biggins. It focuses on Biggins' major accomplishments, his undisputed dedication to 'his" City, and his love for hunting. Also covered is the City's continuing struggle to expand its boundaries in scale with exploding population growth and hostile neighbors. Jack Stodghill grew up in Georgia, served in the Occupation Army in Germany following the Second World War, attended and graduated from the University of Georgia where in 1950 he earned a degree in landscape architecture. After 10 years working as a consultant in the field of urban planning, he came to Newport News Virginia in 1961 where he established the city's first city comprehensive planning program and served as the city's director of city planning for the next 14 years. During this period he earned a master's degree in administration from George Washington University. In 1975 he established a private practice as an urban planning and management consultant (known today as PMA Architecture) where he continued to perform professional planning and management services for the next 35 years. He was active in his professional organizations, the American Planning Association (APA), and the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). In 2013 he was elected to the prestigious College of Fellows of the Institute. He was active in establishing a Virginia Chapter of APA and served as its first President 1978-1980. Stodghill self-published a biographical work in 2012 under the style "Rubber Bands and City Plans: Scenes from the life and work of Jack Stodghill." He continues to live in Newport News, Virginia. Keywords: J. C. Biggins, Newport News, Annexation, Consolidation, City Management, Warwick County, Regional Planning, Boomtown, Ducks, Golf Course