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by staff members eight times during the past three months; several additional presentations including TV are in
<br />hhe offing; on January 13 it was featured as~a full front.page ~p~dd in~.the Lighthouse-Sectfon of'the Virgxnian
<br />Pilot; dozens of. other newspaper articles have dealt with it. I sm sure you will agree that every Portsmouth
<br />citizen has been given an op. portuni£y to scquainthimself with the "0PER~TION ~J~IBSHIPSY message.
<br /> As chairman of the Planning Commission, and ~peaking for the group, may I respectfully
<br />request that you and the oiher szx councilmen cons~der~ ~ public effdorsem~ht Of th&s concept of long-range
<br />reptanning and renewal so that (1) Ail local public agenczes involved may subscribe ~o one tangible approach
<br />to central city revitalization, (~) We may mold our '~orkable Program" ~ecertification document around this
<br />broad theme, and (3) Ail public agencies involved will be driving forward as a. team ~oward common objectives.
<br />The Planning Commission is most appreciative for the interest that you have shown in our program and for the
<br />continuous support rendered."
<br />
<br /> "At a specfal ~me.eting on March 15.; 1963, th~ City Planning Commission unanimously endorsed
<br />so-called "OPERATION AMIDSHIPS'~ as an expres,sion of~ ou~ long-range: urban renewal intentions. This program has
<br />been presented before~loca~organizations by staff members eight times du~ing the psst three months; several
<br />additional presentations including TV are in the offing; on January 13 it was featured as a full front page
<br />spread in the Lighthouse Section of the Virginian Pilot; dozens of other newspaper articles have dealt~with it.
<br /> ThePlanning Commission unanimously resolved, to request that you consider a public
<br />endorsement of this concept of long-range_replsnning and renewal so that {1) All local public agencies involved
<br />may subscribe So'one, tangible approach to central city. revitalizstion~ (2) We may mold our "Workable Program"
<br />recertification document around this broad theme, and (3) All public agencies involved will be driving forward
<br />as a team toward common objectives. The Planning Commission is most appreciative for the interest the5 you have
<br />shown zn our program and for the.continuous support reudered."
<br />
<br /> On motion of M~. Knight, the following resolution was unanimously adopted:
<br />
<br /> "WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Portsmouth has, as part of its long-range
<br />program of developzng and recommending a- Comprehensive P~anf~r the-City of Portsmouth, publicized and endorsed
<br />a broad framework of future urban renewal activities for the remainder of the 1960's under the.caption "Operation
<br />Amidships;" and -
<br /> WHEREAS~ "Operation Amidships" seeks to improve and modernize urban environment of two
<br />centuries Standing between the-U.~-S. -Naval ~ospital and the U~ S. Naval-Shipyard in Portsmouth and consists of
<br />six interdependent phases, all of which are necessary for success and all of which must be pursued simultaneously,
<br />namely, modern highweys, Northside~Genersl Neighborhood Renewal Plan, Parkview Non-Assisted Renewal Project,
<br />Colonel Crewford Common, minimum housing code, and Newtown revitalization.
<br /> NOW~ THEREFORE, .BE IT RESOLVED by the Councit of the City of Portsmouth, Virginia, that
<br /> Khe objectives, component phases, and nature of "Operation Amidshzps" is hereby acknowledged as a concept
<br /> ~roperly introduced to the general public.
<br /> BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that-"Operation Amidships" as presented 'by the City Planning
<br />Commission is hereby endorsed ss s desirable framework for future replanning, revitalization.and renewal and that
<br />t~is body publicly recommends that the Planning Commission, the Portsmouth ~edevelopment and Housing Authority,
<br />and the ~ayor's Citizens Committee on Long-range ~ban-Renewal Polidy coop~ra~e in pushing forward on this
<br />undertaking. "
<br />
<br />63-77 - The following communication from the Planning Director was read:
<br />
<br /> "At its regular monthly meeting on March 5, 1963, the City Planning Commission took this
<br /> action:
<br /> RELIGNMENT OF VIRGINIA STATE HIGHWAY ROUTE 141: As anothe~ step leading toward realignment
<br />of Virginia State Highway Route 141 called for in the officially adopted Comprehensive Plan for the C-i~y of
<br />Portsmouth, Virginzs, a plat besring the~title aforementioned was.censzdered pursuant to Chapter 28 of~the Code
<br />of Virgznia. This plat showing s portion of Route 141 to be realigned, a portion to.be opened and a portion to
<br />he vacated was displayed at mn advertised public hearing. The only proper~y owner directly involved is the U. S.
<br />~svy which made no application and is not at_this time party to the proposal advanced by the City Planning
<br />Commission. Involved Ss the future juncture Of Ef£ingham Street.~nd George Washingtbn Highway in a portion of
<br />the U. S. Naval Shipyard now used for commzssary purposes end.commonly referred to as the Wendell Neville dormitor
<br />area. All parties interested were invited to atEend and place on the public record any and all stabements
<br />~eemed relevant to this issae of realigning Route 141 so that a proper interchange with Interstate 264 may be
<br />achieved when same is constructed in eastern Portsmouth.
<br /> During the public hearing, the U. S. Navy, the,Virginia Department of Highways, the
<br />Portsmouth Water Department, the Portsmouth Department of Public Works, the President of the Portsmouth Chamber
<br />cufCommerce, a Cradock (George Washington Highwey) businessman and our representative on the Elizabeth River
<br />Tunnel Commiccion made statements. The record of this public hearing is available upon request.
<br /> It was unanimously resolved to urge the Mayor end City Council to make every effort ~o
<br />reach an agreemen~ with the U. S. Navy at the earliest ~9ssible date to effect both the recordation of idle plat
<br />presented at this public hearing and the physical juncture of'Effingham Street and George Washington Highway as
<br />shown thereon.. Ii was also resolved that said action is bu~ a first and interzm step which would be followed a~
<br />some early date by ~he modernization of Effingham Street and George Washington Highway as a properly designed
<br />and properly constructed traffic artery ~apable of accommodating.automotive traffic estimated."
<br />
<br /> On motion of Mr. Knight the communication was received ss lnforma~lon~ without dissenting
<br />
<br /> 63-78 - The following resolution, presented by the Portsmouth Historical Association~
<br />~rs. William B. ~pong, President, was read:
<br />
<br /> "Whereas, the City of Portsmouth ~will soon consider the disposition of the courthouse at
<br />High and Court Streets, and
<br /> Whereas, this building - built in 1846 - has both historical and architectural merit and
<br />should be preserved.
<br /> Now, Therefore Be It Resolved by the Board of Directors of the Portsmouth Historical
<br />Association, in session on March 18, 1963, that the Council of the City of Portsmouth be requested to preserve
<br />and find a useful role for this s~ately landmark at High and Court Streets.
<br />
<br /> On motion of Mr. Knight, the resolution was accepted with thanks~ and referred ~o a
<br />conference of the Council.
<br />
<br />
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