Group Summary

Participants with diverse experiences gathered over four consecutive evenings to prioritize issues for detailed investigation during the master plan. Participants ranged in age from post-graduate to retired while some where new home owners and others life-long residents. Place of employment was also diverse including the Shipyard, a local school, downtown Boston, and the North Shore.

Much was made of the “new” and “old” Portsmouth, with a palpable sense that this master plan more than the last will guide our community through a dramatic period of change. Despite agreement that the community is becoming gentrified and losing socio-economic diversity, there was also a sense of Portsmouth as a highly valued place to live and work. All valued the regional access to the ocean, mountains, Boston and Manchester along with exceptional local diversity of places including the downtown, waterfront, Pease, malls, and close-knit residential communities. And with an eye for the complex landscapes and transportation system, the group spent considerable time referencing a detailed aerial photo of the City. This precipitated discussion of broad policy changes as well as detailed, site-specific ideas.

From over a dozen discrete topics rose four areas for more focus: Land Use, Transportation, Economic Development, and Cultural Resources. Housing came in a close fifth with many participants expressing concern over the current and future status of affordable housing. Among all the issues, there was awareness of their interconnectedness and at times frustration for the challenges of isolating places and issues. Each is outlined here with over 15 pages of detailed notes available elsewhere.

Land Use

The concept of small “livable” neighborhoods resurfaced repeatedly through discussions. Participants used many ways to describe and then recommend improvements to these valued community “nodes” which each have a different character. There was general interest in improved neighborhood services and identity. More than an aesthetic concern, participants described the benefits of better mobility, working mixed-use districts, and experientially rich places such as the waterfront and a cultural center.

Some Recommendations

Open Spaces: Are we doing all we can to protect our natural resources? Are we cautious enough in the strip commercial zoning and development of Lafayette Road?

Waterfront: Its diverse components need careful supervision to balance industrial/business, public access and private ownership. Public access must be a top priority. Could a better boat facility be created at Pierce Island?

North Mill Pond: this area should be a primary target for redevelopment, as it is a 'vast wasteland' and is visually unappealing. The Maplewood Ave entrance to the city should be improved. The areas around The Hill, Parade Mall, Sheraton parking lot, and Portsmouth Herald should be investigated for a substantial redevelopment. Development in this area should keep the 'look and feel' of downtown and include the train station (and transit oriented development), North Mill Pond beautification, and neighborhood amenities such as a market, drug store, and public transportation.

Transportation

Even with our exceptional Interstate highway access, major byways, expanded downtown parking, and new regional bus station, there was broad criticism for the City's transportation infrastructure and lack of mobility. Key focus points included the failing circulator bus, poor pedestrian connections between areas, and out street parking in the neighborhoods which lead to a ‘massive parking lot’.

Some Recommendations

More connectivity with Pease is critical for the integration of this growing, but largely isolated, regional center with downtown services. There was considerable discussion of establishing new connections possibly including a rail solution.

The city should encourage the reintroduction of regional train service north and south from Portsmouth. The tracks are already in place and a train station in the Bridge Street or Maplewood Ave area near the Sheraton Hotel would be a great asset to the city.

Economic Development

Several large-scale opportunities are or will likely be presented to the City in the coming decade. These include the potentially-vacated McIntyre Federal Building, redevelopment of one or more of the older strip malls (i.e. Bowl-a-Rama and Kmart)

Some Recommendations

Include innovative design guidelines for new development, especially commercial, to significantly improve orientation, landscaping, and building aesthetics. Participants also wished for broad use of attractive bus shelters and pedestrian/bicycle services.

Cultural and Historic Resources

It was recognized that considerable work is already underway with a cultural council, recent study report, and initiative to advance the City in this area. However, more should be done about integrating services.

Some Recommendations

Participants agreed that broad interpretation of our community resources is required.

The older historical resource displays around the city should be redone and maintained.

These new signs would be combined with an interpretive walking tour and would go a long way to link dispersed and under-appreciated resources for locals and visitors alike.

There should be a central location for year-round cultural awareness and education. Sites such as the old library building should be researched to consolidate dispersed resources at Strawbery Banke, Athenaeum, Historical Society and Library.