Portsmouth Council Advances Market Square Splash-Pad Funding After Public Back-and-Forth

Portsmouth City Council advanced an ordinance on first reading Tuesday to assist with purchase and installation of splash-pad equipment for Market Square Park, after residents and councilors debated the size, source and optics of the city’s contribution.

Public speakers pressed both sides of the issue. Laurie Swain urged council to amend the proposal because it would provide a $125,000 grant, a $125,000 zero-interest loan and a $125,000 water-bill credit to a private entity, arguing that the package looks poor “given parks that need support, affordable-housing shortfalls and residents who face water shutoffs.” Michael Graves, presenting a group proposal and reading a prepared statement from donor Jared Brandcamp, said the package was designed to pair private investment with city support and asked council to pass the first reading unchanged so the project could move forward.

The ordinance as read authorized an appropriation “not more than $250,000” to assist with splash-pad equipment, and it directed the city’s public utilities department to grant a $125,000 water credit to Market Square Park (the ordinance text called the credit no cash value). During debate Vice President Mosley moved to amend the ordinance language to change the source of the loan appropriation from the capital-improvement fund (Fund 301) to the general fund (Fund 101) and to show a specific splash-pad line item (101.1180.5374). The amendment passed on roll call: Charlotte Gordon Aye, Andy Cole Aye, Mosley Aye, Joey Sandlin Aye, Dennis Packard Abstain (cited a conflict), Sean Dunn No.

Council discussion highlighted two recurring themes: supporters said the park is a shovel-ready, potentially catalytic, year-round draw that will bring downtown foot traffic and private matching funds; skeptics raised procedural concerns and urged better comparative data before committing taxpayer dollars. One councilor said the absence of rigorous comparative metrics and precedent for similar projects made them inclined to vote no; another proposed, unsuccessfully as an amendment to this ordinance, setting aside $50,000 per ward to address immediate, shovel-ready repairs across the city. Solicitor Haas advised that the council should generally keep each ordinance to a single subject and that separate ordinances would be proper for additional ward repairs.

After the amendment and debate, the council voted to advance the amended ordinance to a second reading (the roll call recorded a majority in favor with one No). The ordinance will return to council for further consideration at a future meeting.

Clarifying details: the public comment record describes three $125,000 items (grant, loan, water credit) proposed by the community group; the ordinance language read aloud referenced an appropriation “not more than $250,000” and explicitly directs a $125,000 water credit (no cash value). The transcript shows both figures; council and staff discussed the funding source change (from CIP Fund 301 to General Fund 101) during the meeting.

Next steps: the amended ordinance was moved to second reading; council will consider it again at a subsequent meeting when council may vote on final passage.