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23;8
<br />
<br />March 24, 1981
<br />
<br /> "~n 1975 the Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce lent its endorsement to the original
<br />Harbor Waterfront Development Plan, and has watched with pride the progress that bas
<br />6n our Portsmouth waterfront mn recent years.
<br />
<br />Crawford
<br />been mad
<br />
<br /> Recently, we have
<br />Naval Shipyard Museum,
<br />plaza near the seawall
<br />
<br />received briefings on the revised plan, which
<br />modification of housing and office space, and
<br />walkway.
<br />
<br />include-s relocation of th
<br />construction of a civic
<br />
<br /> The orderly implementation of this plan is essential in providing the economic vitality
<br />necessary to sustain and expand both commervial and residential activity in our central busi-
<br />ness district and on the watefront. Further, the ability of Portsmouth to effectively imple-
<br />ment the Crawford Harbor Waterfront development Plan will serve as the impetus for further
<br />development activity into our core city area.
<br />
<br /> With respect to the demolition of the former City Hall (Seaboard Building, no viable
<br />alternatives for the renovation of this faciility have surfaced since the building was first
<br />recommended for removal in 1968, and subsequentl~ reaffirmed via the plan approval in 1975.
<br />
<br /> Portsmouth can certainly point with pride to Olde Towne, Towne Squ~re, Cradock and other
<br />areas where our history has been preserved via active support and involvement by the City.
<br />Therefore, the removal of the former City Hall Building to accommodate a new plan in a new
<br />era should not serve as a detriment to City Council and those responsible for implementation
<br />of the Crawford Harbor Plan.
<br />
<br /> In conclusion, the Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce lends its renewed support to City Counc
<br />in behalf of the revised Crawford Harbor WatefrontDevelopment Plan, and stands ready to offer
<br />any possible support necessary to insure the timely ~mplementation of this crucial development
<br />area." (Adopted. by the Chamber Board of Directors, March 23, 1981)
<br />
<br /> The following citizens spoke for the preservation of the Seaboard Building (Old Municipal
<br />Building):
<br />
<br /> Harry R. Simpson, 4961 Briarwood Lane.
<br /> Mrs. Emily Spong, 227 North Street, representing the Portsmouth Historical
<br />presented the following petition:
<br />
<br />Society,
<br />
<br /> "We, the undersigned, believe that the Seaboard B~ilding (Old Municipal Building), is a
<br />significant structure in the history of our City and that both the building and the site shoul
<br />be preserved and restored as a tangible reminder of an impreseive past and as a market place
<br />centerpiece for a waterfront development such as the Baltimore Harbor Place. Signed by
<br />Elizabeth H. Joyner, 1007 Melvin D~ive and others." Approximately BOO signatures.
<br />
<br /> Les French, 208 Glasgow Street, representing Olde Towne Civic League, asked that the
<br />Light~ip~ to remain in i~s..p~e~ ~ioc~ti~n~ and requested that Council delay demolition of
<br />the Municipal Building until that particular section of the waterfront is ready to go and
<br />to appoint a special independent t~skf£o~e to bring in architects from the outside to go out
<br />and actively seek a developer to rejuvenate and renovate the Municipal Building and make it a
<br />show place; also, to keep the area between Crawford and Water Streets at the foot of High Stre
<br />as open space.
<br /> Federation of Civic Clubs submitted letter in support of the pres'ervation of the SeaboRrd }
<br /> David A. Corey, 4617 Duke Drive, spoke for self in support of rehabilitation of the Old
<br />Municipal Building.
<br /> James D. hassiter, 508 Powhatan Avenue, spoke in support of saving the Old Municipal
<br />Building.
<br /> Vincent J. Carlo, 4615 County Street, representing Mid-City C~ntral Civic League.
<br /> ~c~athcrine Sears, 4305 Portsmouth Boulevard, spoke regarding the Lightship.
<br /> Ms. Sandra Sears, 4305 Portsmouth Boulevard, spoke on saving the Lightship.
<br /> Ms. Ruth E. Bingham, 2701 Roanoke Avenue, spoke for the preservation of the Old Municipal
<br />Building.
<br /> Mrs. Clyde Rawls, 3221 Dogwood D~ive, representing the Portsmouth Historical A~ociation,
<br />spoke for saving the Municipal Building.
<br /> R. Irvine Smith, 200 Elm Avenue, (former Mayor), spoke concerning how the city acquired
<br />the OIR Municipal B~it~ing and that the huil~lng~was given to the people of Portsmouth.
<br />Ms. Thetma Jone~ Z~S, SeGreen S~eet, s~blein support of saving the Old Municipal Building.
<br />John Wallace, 300 Deal Drive, spoke concerning the preservation of buildings that may be
<br />consider landmarks and that Council to authorize~lan impartial study of what can/cannot be done
<br />as far as renovating and preserving them and working these buildings in the business productiv
<br />ity of the city; also, preserve the Old Municipal Building.
<br />
<br /> Motion of Mr. Oast and seconded by Mrs. Webb, to defer any demolition action for a period
<br />of at least 90 days during which period of time the Housing Authority will exercise its best
<br />effort to solicit and receive any sort of proposals that are feasible and supported with
<br />credentials which would enable us to ~ave and utilize this building(Municipal); and that the
<br />Mayor undertake within a week to appoint a committee (call the Task Force) of 5-7 oeoole who
<br />would separately undertake the same sort of feasibility study to report to City Council, and
<br />~as ad~pted by u~animous vote. --~- ~
<br />
<br />UNFINISHED BUSINESS
<br />
<br />up
<br />
<br /> 81-64 The following ordinance deferred fro~ the meeting of March 10, 1981,
<br />and read:
<br />
<br />"AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE $26,000 FROM THE PARKING AUTHORITY FUND FOR THE
<br />PURCHASE OF PARKING METER PARTS AND MECHANISMS TO PERMIT THE CONVERSION OF
<br />PARKING METERS FROM TEN CENTS TO TWENTY CENTS PER HOURS."
<br />
<br />was taken
<br />
<br />t
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