By Editorial Staff et al
Our examination of criteria for evaluating City Council candidates continues with a look at development in Portsmouth. If you love Portsmouth, chances are that you love its historic buildings.
Some of the oldest structures in the country are here. They range from waterfront warehouses to governors’ mansions.
Visitors to these homes included George Washington and other presidents. Daniel Webster’s house is still here.
For the enslaved people in Portsmouth, the homes where they worked are often the only physical connections we have to them.
At the Moffatt-Ladd House, visitors can see the fine rooms where the owners dined and danced – and the spartan quarters where slaves and servants slept. (Source: Great American Treasures)
Portsmouth’s historic properties preserve important legacies and attract visitors to the region. They have inestimable value, from a cultural and economic perspective.
Changing the Architectural Landscape
Over the years, development has changed the appearance of this “old town by the sea.”
As one travels downtown from, say, State Street, comprised of mostly historic buildings, to Deer Street and the newer hotel buildings, the change is profound. The tall, modern hotel buildings and banks often stand in contrast to the quaint New England homes, churches and meeting houses.
Every city needs some development. Without hotels, visitors would have nowhere to stay. Without office space, companies could not bring jobs to the city.
Development and preservation do not have to be opposing forces. New buildings can complement the historic quality of surrounding sites.
However, it is imperative for a historic community like ours to provide some restraint against the powerful drive of developers. Our City Council should provide a check to the interests of development.
Unchecked Development
The reality is that development seems to be unchecked in Portsmouth. And some councilors work so closely with developers that they are willing to compromise the City’s official business and interests.
Consider the case of Councilor John Tabor and the proceedings on the McIntyre building. During the last City Council, Tabor sat on the subcommittee responsible for dealing with developer Redgate-Kane.
Tabor leaked information that helped parties opposed to the committee’s work; this information even helped developer Michael Kane in his lawsuit against the City.
At one point, Tabor was caught flipping slowly through committee documents underneath a video camera – so that anyone who was watching could read the confidential information. See https://portsmouthpulse.com/2023/10/10/duplicitous-john-tabor-part-i/
Tabor is hardly the only current councilor who is prone to showering favors upon developers.
Consider the City’s deal with Deer Street Associates (DSA) for the land for the Foundry Street parking garage. In 2016, the City bought land from DSA to build the garage.
After substantially overpaying DSA for the land, the councilors at the time also agreed to allocate parking spaces to DSA.
The 2020 – 2021 City Council voted down this agreement. However, within a few months of taking office, the current council rejected that decision and voted to affirm the parking space provision for DSA.
Not only that, but, out of the blue, they voted 8 – 1 to hand over half a million to dollars to DSA. Councilor Bagley was the only “no” vote. (You’re welcome, developers!)
Protecting the Historic Environment
What does this have to do with protecting the historic character of Portsmouth? Everything.
Developers can make a fortune by throwing up new, modern structures with little regard for their aesthetic qualities or the character of the surrounding environment.
Developers often favor modern aesthetics. This example comes from developer Mark McNabb’s vision for a pedestrian walkway on Congress Street. (Source: Seacoast Online, July 13, 2023.)
Portsmouth needs elected officials who have the backbone to stand up to developers and protect the historic qualities that define the city. We simply cannot trust those who have shown a repeated willingness to cooperate with developers against the city’s interests.
