April 3, 2003

Much has changed in our community since the last Master Plan was developed some ten years ago, with both new opportunities and new challenges on the horizon.

The Portsmouth Listens study circles are integral to this current Citywide planning initiative and, on behalf of the City and the Planning Board, we thank all participants and organizers for their efforts.

Development of the new Master Plan will be an 18-month process, with many opportunities beyond the study circles for you -- Portsmouth's residents, business people, organizations, and property owners -- to provide input as well.

The Planning Board is in the process of beginning its own visioning work sessions and scheduling public hearings, as well as neighborhood and stakeholder meetings.

In addition, we are currently carrying out a public opinion survey in partnership with UNH, and expect to conduct another web-based opinion survey late this fall.

Many good ideas will be brought to the fore through the master planning process. Some, the City will be able to fund and implement in the near term.

Others, due to their complexity, funding needs, or other factors, will take longer to accomplish.

Your involvement in developing the new City Master Plan will be key to ensuring the broad support needed to successfully carry out the policies and actions the Master Plan will lay out.

To date, there has been an outpouring of community interest in the development of the Master Plan and, as we move ahead, we look forward to actively engaging as many of you as possible to work with us to develop meaningful, inclusive community answers to the difficult question: How do we make Portsmouth the best place to live and work for everyone?

John P. Bohenko
City Manager

Kenneth Smith
Planning Board Chairman