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Council debates Link District acquisitions, vacancy activation and tougher blight enforcement
Summary
Portsmouth officials discussed recent property acquisitions on High Street, short-term activation ideas for vacant lots and the need for stronger enforcement tools and staffing to address blighted properties; the interim city attorney said legal options exist but will require funded staffing to implement.
City leaders reviewed Link District property acquisitions and short- and long-term plans for bringing sites back into productive use.
Mitchell, chair of the EDA, said the city has acquired several High Street parcels (including 1028 High St, 1013 Queen St and a larger block at 817–823 High St), is doing roof repairs and plans demolition work to ready sites for developers. He characterized potential end uses as mixed-use development with first-floor commercial space and residential above.
Council members and the EDA discussed interim activation for vacant lots while development proceeds. Mitchell proposed pop-up ideas—container parks, food trucks, art installations and events—to reduce the appearance of blight. “The ideas are unlimited in terms of what we might be able to do,” he said, and suggested a joint task force of city staff, arts and community stakeholders to plan temporary activations.
Several council members urged tougher, more consistent enforcement of existing vacancy ordinances. Interim city attorney Derek Challenger said he has circulated a memo outlining options cities can use to address derelict properties and cautioned that legal remedies will require adequate staffing and funding for code enforcement, permitting, inspections and demolition. “It’s not totally just the legal options, but also having the right number of staff that’s able to do that,” Challenger said.
Council signaled a desire to bring ordinance and policy changes forward for further review at an upcoming meeting and to integrate volunteer and partnership ideas for interim activation.
