Portsmouth council advances Market Square splash pad to first reading with modified funding package

The Portsmouth City Council voted to move legislation for a Market Square Park splash pad to the council agenda for first reading, approving a modified funding proposal that would split the city’s contribution into three parts: a $125,000 grant, a $125,000 0% loan over 10 years and a $125,000 water credit.

Council members said the item will go through all three readings with no emergency language; the council asked City Attorney John to draft ordinance language and circulate it to members before the packet is issued. The motion to accept the modification passed on a roll-call vote (5–1).

Why it matters: Market Square Park has become a focal point for downtown events, including Winterfest, and proponents say a splash pad would extend visitor activity into warmer months and support downtown businesses. Opponents and some council members raised questions about prioritizing funds for a privately operated splash pad instead of additional city-owned parks and facilities, including McKinley Pool.

Key facts: The applicant initially requested $250,000 for pumping equipment. Council members who met with the applicant and city staff proposed instead that the city provide: a $125,000 outright grant; a $125,000 loan at 0% interest for 10 years; and a $125,000 water bill credit to cover higher seasonal water costs. Council discussion noted the city would fund the proposed amounts from the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) if approved by ordinance.

Council members also discussed safeguards and conditions: city staff cautioned that having city workers install equipment could void manufacturer warranties; council members suggested the loan repayments could return to a fund or account to support similar future projects at council discretion; and members requested written ordinance language spelling out terms, allocation and accountability measures before first reading.

Several council members stressed there is no documented cost–benefit analysis showing a financial return to downtown businesses from the splash pad; others cited cellphone-based attendance counts from Winterfest showing more than 30,000 visits and said that large visitor numbers are likely to benefit downtown commerce, even if exact monetary impacts were not calculated.

Concerns about equity and priorities surfaced repeatedly. Some council members argued that the city should prioritize investments in city-owned parks and facilities—specifically McKinley Pool—rather than directing CIP funds to a nonprofit-operated facility; other members said the applicant has raised the bulk of the project funding and offered a long-term lease guaranteeing recreational use for 20 years.

Next steps: The motion (modify and move to first reading) instructs the city attorney to draft the ordinance incorporating the funding terms; council members requested the draft be circulated before the packet deadline so members can review and suggest modifications at first reading. If the ordinance advances, it will return to council for subsequent readings and final vote.

Votes at a glance: The conference-session motion to accept alternative number 2 (the three-part city contribution and to place the ordinance on the council agenda for first reading) passed by roll call: Sean Dunn — No; Charlotte Gordon — Yes; Andy Cole — Yes; Libet Moseley — Yes; Joey Sandlin — Yes; Dennis Packard — Yes. The motion’s mover and seconder were not specified in the conference record.

Community context: The splash pad proposal was described as part of broader downtown redevelopment efforts. The applicant (identified in the record as Michael Reiss) is donating land and proposed a 20‑year lease with an LLC for the project site. Council discussion referenced prior local investments in parks (pickleball courts, Mound Park, Bannen Park and others) and ongoing concerns about maintaining city-owned recreational facilities and staffing capacity.

Reporting note: Statements in this article reflect council discussion at the manager’s conference session and the recorded roll-call outcome. The ordinance language and final fiscal details will be available once the city attorney circulates the draft to council.