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Portsmouth planning commissioners approve honorary naming of Portsmouth Boulevard for Horace Savage Jr.
Summary
On July 1, 2025, the Portsmouth Planning Commission approved an honorary designation of a portion of Portsmouth Boulevard as Horace Savage Junior Way, honoring the educator and community leader; the designation is ceremonial and will be forwarded to city council for final action.
Portsmouth planning commissioners voted to approve an honorary street name request to designate the 315-foot portion of Portsmouth Boulevard between Frederick Boulevard and Deep Creek Boulevard as Horace Savage Junior Way.
Megan Gribble, the city’s manager of transportation planning, told the commission the segment is a 40-foot public right of way owned by the city that serves six single-family homes, three duplexes, one multiunit residence, two city-owned parcels and three commercial properties. Gribble said the honorary designation would not change official street names or addresses and that the applicant submitted a property-owner petition signed by a majority of adjacent owners.
The application was presented at the hearing by Leah Drake Stith, who said the honoree, Horace Savage Jr., “has had numerous roles in the city of Portsmouth” and that the family was “instrumental in the building of the Truxton community.” Stith asked the commission to approve the request as part of celebrations for Savage’s 100th birthday.
Commissioners heard no registered public speakers on the request. Commissioner James praised Savage’s record and told the hearing that “there is none other that is more deserving of this street name than doctor Savage.” The commission approved the honorary designation; the staff report and the electronic vote record show the item was approved by a vote reported as 5 2 0. The planning commission packet notes the item will be forwarded to city council for final action at the August 26 meeting.
Because the request is honorary, staff said, it will not change mailing addresses or official street names; staff recommended approval under the city’s honorary street name policy. Gribble told commissioners no public comments had been received before the hearing and that the request conforms with earlier similar designations.
The application and staff report will be part of the packet submitted to city council for final consideration. If council approves the same language, city records will include the honorary designation for signage and ceremonial recognition only.
