What's New

The demolition of the five-story, mixed-use, brick and masonry building located at 278 State Street, is scheduled to take place starting at approximately 11:30 pm on Monday, September 30, 2024. The intersection of State Street and Pleasant Street will be temporarily closed starting at 11:00 pm. It is anticipated that the roadway will be cleared and reopened by 6:00 am on Tuesday, October 1. Temporary lighting will be in place for all of the work overnight. 

The City Council will hold a work session on Monday, September 23, 2024, from 6 to 7 pm in Council Chambers at City Hall. The work session will include a review and discussion of the results of the Parking Utilization Study and provide initiatives and strategies for consideration. 

The study includes: 

The Planning and Sustainability Department along with their consultants, Kittelson & Associates, Inc. will host the first public meeting on the City Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Update Project at the Levenson Room at the Portsmouth Public Library (175 Parrott Avenue) on Monday, September 30 at 6 pm. 

The public is encouraged to attend to learn about the project, talk to the project team, and share their experiences walking and biking in Portsmouth. 

About the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Update

The City of Portsmouth Department of Public Works Water Division begins its seasonal routine flushing of fire hydrants and water mains on Monday, September 16, 2024. The flushing will take place at various locations, Monday through Thursday, between 7 am and 11 pm, and is expected to take six weeks to complete.

The Portsmouth City Council has empowered City Manager Karen Conard to enter into a contract for $140,000 with DiBari Associates of Miami, Florida to design, construct, and install the public artwork on Peirce Island recommended by the Public Art Review Committee (PARC). The selection and funding of the artwork are based on the City ordinance directing Percent-for-Art proceeds from the Peirce Island Wastewater Treatment plant. The Percent-for-Art amount is capped by Council action at $150,000.

After nearly two years of work, including extensive community engagement, research into local community impacts, and an exhaustive inventory of municipal and estimated community greenhouse gas emissions, the City’s Planning and Sustainability Department presented Portsmouth’s Climate Future to the City Council at its August 19, 2024 meeting. The Council voted unanimously to adopt the plan.

City staff and their consultants continue to monitor the seasonal occurrence of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and other mosquito-borne diseases reported by the NH Department of Health and Human Services (NHDHHS). 

The City of Portsmouth NH is planning a Residents’ Day Community Picnic in the Park, hosted by the City Recreation Department in partnership with Prescott Park Arts Festival, on Sunday, September 8, 2024 from 11 am to 2 pm. The event is free and open to all Portsmouth residents, with live music, lawn games and food available for purchase from The Prop. Residents are encouraged to bring their own picnics (no alcoholic beverages), lawn chairs, blankets – and community spirit.

The Assessor’s Office for the City of Portsmouth has announced a Taxpayer Forum scheduled for September 4, 2024, from 5 to 6:30 pm in Council Chambers at City Hall. Topics will include how assessments are handled in New Hampshire, how market value is determined, what taxpayers can do when they have questions or concerns about their assessed values, and what is – and how to be best prepared for – an informal hearing.