Portsmouth Residents Ready to Fight Parking Deck

Several Portsmouth residents voiced their support to stop a proposed Parrott Avenue parking deck during a meeting at the Portsmouth Public Library on Tuesday night.

Cathy Baker, a member of the Stop Parrott Garage Steering Committee, said she organized the meeting to begin the process of mobilizing support to stop the Parrott Avenue parking deck proposal.

Baker said the city has control over the Parrott Avenue lot so even though it was ranked as the fifth best option by the city's Parking and Traffic Safety Committee for a future parking garage site, it is now the first option.

"In my opinion they are no longer looking for the best solution. They are now looking for any solution," she said.

Last week, city Principal Planner Nicholas Cracknell unveiled a $2- to $3 million Parrott Avenue parking deck proposal that, if approved, would add 100 spaces.

Other steering committee members said the proposed parking deck would create more traffic congestion for the Portsmouth Middle School and Little Harbour School and adversely affect historic landmarks like the Gov. John Langdon House.

Shaun Rafferty, another committee member, said he feels a responsibility for "future generations."

"Every time the development encroaches in our neighborhoods, we are in danger of losing something," he added.

Dick Bagley said that if the group hopes to be successful in getting the City Council to reject the Parrott Avenue parking deck proposal, it must make it "a city wide issue."

He said this is an issue that not only matters to South End residents, but to all city residents.

Baker said it is also important for people to start attending City Council meetings to make their voices heard, not just sign petitions. "Seeing the people and hearing their voices is what matters to the council," she said.

Going forward, Bagley said they want to form five committees of volunteers to attack this issue on five fronts: legal, alternatives, communication, traffic and safety and conservation.

“We’re going to retain the best legal counsel we can get,” Bagley said.

They also plan to elect a representative to present to the City Council

They will also create a blue ribbon committee report for the steering committee, Portsmouth Listens and the results of our committees in early June.