“What can make Portsmouth the best place to live, work and visit?”
Tourism
Mission Statement:
Balance between visitors (tourists industry) residents and city services.
How much does the impact of tourism cost the residents of Portsmouth?
Study the impact and cost of tourism on the city of Portsmouth and its residents.
Increased demands made on services and resources by the influx of visitors. Increasing tourism yet straining the city's resources. How much does the City spend to cover the costs of tourism?
Recommendations:
Impact Study on Tourism, which includes the issues of parking, the demand on services and preserving natural resources
Chamber and other community agencies be made part of impact study on tourism
Revise and improve the City's and the Chamber of Commerce website
Study parking issues: what changes can happen now to improve parking for residents during tourist session
No gambling
Culture
Mission Statement:
The City of Portsmouth declares support for the Arts.
The culture of this city is what attracts visitors and makes this community interesting. The arts contribute to the culture of a community. Everything about a community, good and the bad, is thoroughly connected to all other parts of a community. Our city's culture is central to our tourism and to our quality of life.
Artists are the community's vessel for preserving our history and traditions.
Recommendations:
The City of Portsmouth will create a document called the “Support the Arts Declaration”
To qualify the city to apply for grants
Create affordable housing incentives and exhibition and gallery locations for our musicians, artists, dancers
Increase support for the Music Hall
Bring back the Blessing of the Fleet
Support current actions of Chamber of Commerce to revisit Mrk Sq. Day, i.e. a celebration of the arts
Urbanism
Mission Statement:
Support the balance of economic diversity, commercial vitality, historical preservation and cultural diversity.
Recommendations:
City, Tenant, Landlord Association - to address substandard conditions of rental property, high rents, and issues between landlord and tenants
Review and make recommendations to improve efficiency of Section 8 and any other identifiable housing agencies
Preserve what is left of our open space downtown
Require and provide continuing education for zoning board members
Zoning board (all boards) revisit their mission which is to enforce regulations and represent the citizens of this City
All city boards create standards that require all forms of communication be professional and civil
Support the City's efforts to have control over Port Authority
Support commerce and industry that insures the port continues to be a working port
Look for and to provide opportunities for employment that supports a diverse working community
Bring back the Blessing of the Fleet
Environment
Mission Statement:
Support the preservation and rehabilitation of the City's open space.
Recommendations:
No more city land sold for development
Peirce Island to be preserved
More dog parks
Environmental Impact Review Board
Master Plan includes section on environmental preservation
Taxes
Mission Statement:
Towns and the State: Education funds are not to go into your general fund.
Recommendation:
The City of Portsmouth sends a message to the State of NH that insists that Receiver Towns must use education funds only for education.
Additional Recommendations:
School District be included in Master Plan
No gambling venues
