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Portsmouth council backs 'Alternative 1' streetscape for Link District, asks engineers to study roundabout option
Summary
Council liaisons recommended 'Alternative 1' (parallel parking) for the Link District RAISE streetscape grant; after debate over medians and mini‑roundabouts, the council gave staff direction to advance Alternative 1 while studying temporary or permanent roundabout options and reporting back with traffic analysis and cost estimates.
Council liaisons told Portsmouth leaders that, after meetings with design consultant VHB, they recommended "Alternative 1" — parallel parking on both sides of the street — for the Link District streetscape as part of a RAISE grant proposal. "By way of summary, that was for several reasons. It does provide a few more parking spaces," the council liaison said during the work session.
Why it matters: The Link District project is intended to shape traffic flow, parking, landscaping and place‑making as the corridor accommodates future growth. The choice between parallel parking with medians and alternative treatments such as mini‑roundabouts has implications for left‑turn capacity, pedestrian design, and future flexibility in the district.
Council members debated medians, mini‑roundabouts and other turn solutions. Some members urged removing medians in favor of mini‑roundabouts or other innovative treatments to improve flexibility and aesthetics. "I still think we should push to get rid of the medians," Councilman Hugo said, and recommended engineers evaluate mini‑roundabouts at signalized intersections such as Elm and Godwin.
Engineers and liaisons advised caution and more analysis. James Wright said the VHB team recommended Alternative 1 because it balances parking, sidewalks, landscaping and traffic needs; staff noted roundabouts may be viable in limited locations but need traffic‑volume analysis and further design work. Councilman Tillich and others suggested temporary or modular roundabout installations to test impacts before committing to permanent construction.
Outcome: Council members gave consensus direction to proceed with Alternative 1 while asking staff and the consultant to study roundabout options, provide traffic impact assessments, estimate costs (including a possible temporary roundabout installation), and report back. The council emphasized the need to preserve flexibility in design so future changes are possible if volumes or other conditions change.
Next steps: Engineers will provide the additional analysis requested and the liaisons will continue to work with VHB on a detailed design that the council can review before final adoption. The council asked that the analysis include traffic modeling, turn‑lane needs at high‑volume intersections, cost estimates and implications for pedestrian amenities.
