|
Study Circle 9: State
Preamble
Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the city's master plan! This has been a learning experience for us all, and it has been gratifying to be given a space for our perspectives to be heard and to contribute them to the future of our city! Portsmouth, like any place, has no single identity. It means different things to people who experience the city through different lenses, be they cultural, social, physical, or economic.
The word ‘affluence’ comes from the root word affluere, which means ‘to flow.’ Portsmouth has that magic flow that contributes to a feeling of wealth and vitality in many ways. From the deep Piscataqua River carrying all of that water into and out of Great Bay, to the many thoroughfares flowing around Portsmouth like streams bringing vehicles and people in a never-ending series of eddies around the heart of our city. This network of arteries and veins allows the lifeblood of the city to invigorate our community. Portsmouth is a hub to which many roads come from all over New England. We have I-95, Rt. 33, Rt. 1, Rt. 1A, 1B, the Spaulding Turnpike and Rt. 4. We have the port itself, carrying freight and people from all over the world into our community. We have Pease Tradeport bringing in planes and big business. We have the seacoast and its summer attractions bringing in tourists. We have quiet spaces too, welcome respites found dotted along the commercial and active flows: the Urban Forestry Center, Prescott Park, around South Mill Pond, Peirce Island, the Great Bog, to name a few.
We have a tremendous opportunity to enhance the experience of those who come into the city from afar, those who live here now, and those who help build it. As in any living system, there are inputs and outputs. Living systems are natural economies that need to be fed and cleaned. A city is no different. Certain functions of the city are nourishing, while others create by-products that need to be recycled.
The health of our gracious city can be enhanced through the redesign of our Master plan. Intertwined with the City's physical diversity, we have a network of flows. We want to make sure the ways that Portsmouth interacts with the many lives of the Seacoast flow together. We want people and place to enhance each other for mutual benefit and strengthen the community that has contributed to what we now see and know as Portsmouth.
A summary of our
major themes
Our concerns focus on enhancing the 'affluence' of our city: the way people interact with the physical landscape. The largest concern is that Portsmouth remains a livable, walk-able community. Also important is Portsmouth's architectural identity, maintenance and expansion of greenspace, especially improving access while connecting city attractions. We also see over-development as a serious threat to our way of life, with issues ranging from building size and public spaces around buildings, to sprawl and traffic congestion. While many examples are from downtown, our comments apply to all parts of the city that serve as focal points for our community. Planning and implementation efforts should encourage:
Disagreement
Little disagreement arose within our group. Although priorities varied from person to person, connections among issues led to common ground and strategies were often synergistic, promoting several goals simultaneously.
Song
“Listen Oh Portsmouth,” sung to the tune of 'A tiskit a taskit'
Portsmouth oh Portsmouth, the city we adore...
we love our coast, lets give a toast
to our working port and more.
Planners oh Planners, please keep the city true...
to being green, and lean and clean
that's what we'd like to do.
People oh People, we so enjoyed our group...
of different folks, from different strokes,
but all felt in the loop.
History oh History, we have so much to share...
rare buildings and charm we must maintain
so expand and erect with utmost care.
Listen oh Listen, to what we have to say...
our theme is green, our wish is space
for this we need to pray.
Caring oh Caring, for regions not just towns...
our community is not just us
we need to look around!
Local oh Local, lets keep the focus there...
support the local businesses
so we may keep our share.
Living and Walking, that's what the city's for...
limit sprawl, for one and all
but keep an open door.
Traffic oh Traffic, its loud and it is thick
have space to park and space to walk?
now that would be a trick!
Housing oh housing, the costs just seem to creep
Keep it classy keep it chic
But also keep it cheap.
Thank you oh Thank you, for lending us your ear
we love our dear old Portsmouth
And that we hope is clear.
Conclusions and recommendations
Livable, walk-able community
Greenspace
Over-development
Visions and Dreams that speak to Multiple Issues
Appendices:
Thank you Laura Winn for leading us with a gentle, firm hand.
1) Who are we? We are the young (just starting our business), we are the old (retired here), we are in mid-life, we are unemployed, we stay home with the kids. We have lived in Portsmouth for one year, ten years, our whole lives. We don't live in Portsmouth, but we work here. We care.
2) What do you value most about the Portsmouth Community? (list)
- Diversity of people
- Atmosphere is exciting
- Proximity to many great things such as beaches & nature Perfect Location
- Different
- Beautiful
- Ceres Street
- Downtown atmosphere
- (negative) more trendy now, I am not thrilled with
- Neighborhoods are great
- I love downtown, even in the summer. I like the people
- The revitalization of Market Square
- Good place for kids and families; Lots to do for and with them
- On the Seacoast
- The brick
- The people smile here; people are friendly
- Closeness of shopping areas
- Love history here. Puddledock, etc. Athenaeum is great
- Hometown feel
- Close knit and friendly environment.
- State parks and Seacoast Science Center
- Diversity of offering and things for people to do
- Tourism
- Cultural & Artistic hub of New Hampshire
- Pride
- I like seeing human beings, people
- The gentle nature of the people
- Independent retailers (Rock Bottom, Mad Lydia's Waltz, Atlantic Video)
- Prescott Park (is a diamond in the city )
- Pierce Island
- Farmers Market
- That it is a “walkable” city
- Good mix of tourism and downtime
- Always people in downtown at any hour.
- Outdoor eating and seating-Café Brioche, etc…
- Love “working” port of Portsmouth, the salt piles and tug boats
3) What are the key issues that are important?
- Mall sprawl. Over-development. Don't want to see another Wal-Mart or Target
- Parking
- Lack of Handicap friendly entrances.
- Lack of green space
- Lack of housing
- Traffic problem
- Affordable housing. Add low income housing out at Pease?
- We are building new buildings instead of reusing old ones, which doesn't seem right. How can we affect development?
- Communities should care about the other communities around them
- Lack of infrastructure and resources to responsibly handle business or population
- Really like the idea of river-walk. Connect tugboats to Prescott Park?
- Portsmouth has unfair financial responsibility to the state
- State's guest rooms and meals tax from us? Is that fair? Can keep our own rooms and meals tax?
- Budget issues. Loss of resources. Cuts being made.
- We need to protect public access to water for swimming, kayaking. Other towns pulling access away.
- Lack of dog friendly environment.
- Salt pile and tugboats. Save them. We love them. Scrap pile too?
4) Categories of Issues Arranged in Priority of Interest (Numbers in parentheses refer to number of votes in priority-setting exercise).
Livable, Walkable Communities (7)
Support Arts (4)
Preserve Greeenspace (8)
Responsible Recreation (3)
Create Public Spaces for Teens/Under 21 (4)
Over-development (8)
Lack of Affordable Housing (2)
Other Issues:
|