The Daniel Study Circle voted to prioritize areas of attention, in this order: transportation, land use, housing and culture.

Transportation

The Circle would like to see traffic throughout the community eased and forwards these specific recommendations:

1. Sidewalks and bicycle lanes should be constructed citywide.

2. Citywide public transportation should be developed, with a downtown pickup and delivery depot, connecting to trains, malls and the Pease Tradeport.

3. We should plan ahead for one, fixed bridge in the North End to replace the two existing bridges (Memorial Bridge and the Route 1 Bypass).

The Circle consensus is there is no single fix to traffic congestion, but relief could come through a series of measures.

Aside from their aesthetic, environmental and recreational values, a citywide network of sidewalks and bike trails can serve the utilitarian purpose of allowing workers, shoppers and visitors to move throughout the city without using roadways and parking spaces.

Likewise, development of an environmentally sensitive public transportation system would result in fewer cars clogging the roads and again free up parking spaces for shoppers and out-of-town visitors.

The Circle notes, however, convincing citizens to leave their cars would require a public education campaign. A downtown depot would serve as a hub for the system, but all parts of the community would be served.

The Circle also sees opportunity in the obsolescence of the Memorial and Route 1 Bypass bridges. We would embrace construction of a single, fixed bridge crossing from the North End into Maine. The bridge would be tall enough to eliminate the need to stop traffic to "raise" the bridge. Removal of the existing, unsafe and obsolete bridges would eliminate traffic backups onto downtown streets and would also benefit commercial shippers and private boating enthusiasts who have to navigate the hazardous channel.

Land Use

The Study Circle urges protection and enhancement of the community's heritage and environment, and toward that end offers these recommendations:

1. Move deliberately toward reclamation of the downtown Federal building.

2. Move deliberately toward library construction.

3. Identify for use or sale vacant city-owned buildings.

4. Identify, develop and fund a land conservation plan to preserve and add to existing green space.

5. Complete the River Walk.

6. Periodically review and redefine historic district(s), thus encouraging preservation.

7. Move the municipal boat launch from Peirce Island.

8. Encourage mixed-income, mixed-use planning in future residential developments.

Control and limit commercial sprawl.

9. Control and limit commercial sprawl.

The Circle consensus is that the city remain resolute and focused on the Federal building land reuse, completion of the library, completion of the River Walk and re-utilization of the 1895 Old Cottage Hospital Building.

Beyond those ongoing projects, we would encourage:

1. Plans to utilize city-owned buildings such as Lafayette School or sell those buildings to private interests so they may be returned to the tax rolls.

2. Identify and protect green spaces throughout the community that already exist and preserve additional open spaces where feasible.

3. Make sure the Historic District is a "living" part of the city, that its boundaries be periodically reviewed and expanded if appropriate, and that additional neighborhoods - such as Atlantic Heights - be considered for inclusion.

4. The boat launch at Peirce Island be viewed as unsafe and might better serve the public in another location.

Finally, noting the store on Richards Avenue and similar conveniences in other neighborhoods, the Circle envisions future residential developments accommodate both mixed-income residents and mixed use of the buildings for the purpose of strengthening the neighborhood core.

Housing

The Circle is concerned that the working poor and working middle-class families are being priced out of housing. We recommend that city leaders:

1. Make sure Portsmouth is an open city by maintaining adequate housing across all income levels, lifestyles and ethnicity.

2. Zone to encourage cluster housing with neighborhoods, incorporating mixed use and open spaces.

The Circle believes that a widely diverse population is important to the growth and strength of the community, but fears that housing prices are driving out families, the poor and the elderly. We also feel the high price of housing may be discouraging employers who would like to relocate to the community and provide jobs.

However, while the Circle discussed a number of options, including establishing rent controls, exploring housing partnerships and capping property taxes for some citizens, no consensus was reached.

Culture

The Circle believes the community has and must continue to support the wide variety of interests found among its citizens. We recommend:

1. Protect existing and encourage future cultural, recreational and sports activities by providing space and facilities.

2. Inventory, catalog and promote cultural and historical venues and activities throughout the city.

3. Promote and coordinate volunteerism in the spirit of Portsmouth Listens.

The Circle feels the arts and artists are an important part of the community, but the city lacks adequate, inexpensive space for things like art studios and rehearsal halls. The Button Factory is a good example of what can be done, but that building already is crowded and rental space is becoming expensive. We encourage the city to assist where it can. There also is a need to encourage private philanthropy.

We also would like to see new facilities developed that would help define, explain and promote Portsmouth's role in the world, such as a historical museum or marine heritage museum. Also, the Children's Museum needs to be protected and enhanced as an important part of the community.

The Circle also discussed the need for additional sports and recreational facilities - such as development of a complex at Pease that would include baseball and softball practice fields, soccer fields, outdoor basketball courts and perhaps at least one enhanced stadium for collegiate or even minor league baseball.

While the Circle generally supports development of an away-from-downtown complex, it disagreed on what should happen to the downtown Central Little League field and Leary Field. Some participants believe the fields should be left intact, while others feel the fields should be removed and the area converted to a downtown park.

In the course of discussion, it was surprising to find that while individual members were aware of specific local galleries, museums or other points of interest, collectively we were ignorant of the vast number of options available to tourists and residents alike. Nor were we aware of a central point where that information is available. Development and promotion of such a central point would be desirable.

Finally, the Circle acknowledges, applauds and wishes to promote volunteerism in the community and would like methods developed to inspire and coordinate additional volunteerism.

Education

In closing, the Circle would like to express its feeling that overarching every concern, every issue and every opportunity for our community is the need to provide the highest education to our youth. We recommend:

1. Honor the commitment to make Portsmouth the best possible school system.

We feel Portsmouth must have the best educational system in the state. It must commit to providing resources to facilities, staff and community involvement in our schools. It must address the needs of the entire spectrum of students - not just those who are college bound. It must provide career training and continuous opportunity for improvement.