Minutes 08/09/1977 - Laserfiche WebLink

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260 August 9~ 1977 That the issue of usable public open space and public access to the water- front be carefully analyzed prior to the implementa~ion6fhousing development at the foot of High Street. That Olde Towne, Downtown and the Waterfront Development should be joined by a single or combination of compatible urban design themes promoting the cOn- cepts mentioned above in number' one. Downtown Portsmouth can never regain its status as the City's traditional central business district. However, in view of its present role isca ff~ancial and governmen center, and with the promotion of its unique identity, and with a substantial in- crease in certain housing opportunities, disinvestment can be reversed and s~bstantaa] reinvestment can be expeected within the downtown business district. The Team re- commended that the following concepts should be considered: Development of a downtown commercial attraction consistent with adopted themes capable of transgressing the normal service beundaries of ~owntown Portsmouth. Conservation of existing structures within the target area along the London Boulevard corridor between Court Street and Crawford Street to be used as housing, offices and shops, relating to previously mentioned themes. c. Construction of new housing and rehabilitation of existing structures within the target area for both residential and commercial use. de Relocation of existing facilities or development of new facilities which create activity in the downtown area beyond the usual 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. working hours. The location of an institution of higher learning with emphasis on continuing education programs for professional employees was specifically mentioned. Mass transportation loops designed to promote use of the downtown shopping district by major employment centers located near the downtown area, ~.e., the Naval Hospital and Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Implementation strategies will be critical. Traditional economic approaches will not be sufficient to induce reinvestment into an area characterized by high crime (perception only), disinvestment and lack of landowner interest. New investment opportunities must be pursued through special financing techniques such as the following: a Subordinatian of land costs Equity insurance Homesteading grants for middle and upper income housing Real Estate tax deferrals Interest subsidy In the final analysis, the R/UDAT exercise endorsed the City's current downtown redevelopment projects but warned that if they were not analyzed from the standpoint of their impact on each other, serious problems and lack of economic progress could result. It is the intent of the Downtown Planning Task Force and this office to thoroughly re- search the proposals made by R/UDAT and to analyze them with the full benefit of current data which is now being collected. Those proposals which endure the test of close scrutinization will in all likelihood be incorporated into the downtown planning document projected for City Council consideration during the spring of 1978. Concurrently, proper steps will also be taker to insure that every feasible economic implementation strategy will be investigated in,order to insure any future effort the besI possible chance to succeed. The point of most immediate concern relates to the Waterfront Development Plan. As you will recall, the R/UDAT publicly supported the Waterfront Plan, but like others, suggested that more attention should be~ given to public access and use. As you are aware, the Redevelopment and Housing Authority is currently marketing the area east of the foot of High Street for residential development. While this office is certainly interested in facilitating the develop- ment of housing on the Waterfront, execution at this point without due consideration of the public use and access question could generate lasting negative affects on the Waterfront, execution at this point without due consideration of the public use and access question could generate lasting negative affects on the Waterfront Development Plan, as well as any future plan for downtown Portsmouth. From a policy standpoint, if the question of open space is to be addressed, it must be done in conjunction with the solicitation, review and approval of the initial development proposals, which are currently in. the proposal and discussion stage. The development of the municipal/office building complex on the South end of the Waterfroz site, which eliminates the harbor and museum site, provides additional land for reuse on The Waterfront. Based on this point, the question of public access to the Waterfront should be considered in con~nnclionwith making additional commitments for the Waterfront Development Project. Th® above represents our present thinking on the Downtown Planning Process, the recent R/ UDAT program, and their relationships to the Waterfron Development Plan. I woUld be happy to discuss this matter with you further, either collectively or individually." LZJ