 In the late 20th century Bayview was hit hard when many of the canneries and seafood processing plants closed due to dwindling shellfish populations in the Chesapeake Bay as a result of increased pollution.In 1994 the state of Virginia proposed to build a maximum-security prison on the edge of the community.At this time 90% of Bayview residents lived in substandard housing, with 85% having no indoor plumbing.