Splaine: Housing at Sherburne School makes sense

Pannaway Manor is a Portsmouth treasure. It has been one of our best neighborhoods for decades. My brother John lived on Mason Avenue in the late 1960s with Pam as they began their family with their children, Tom and Tracey, until they moved to Maryland. They loved it. John lived there when he served on the City Council.Through the years, I got to know Pannaway Manor well, often visiting state Rep. Cecelia Kane and other friends. I played in their park, and as a School Board member, I toured and attended meetings at Sherburne School. On the day I filed for New Hampshire state Senate in 1978, I spent five hours visiting homes, capped by three coffee parties in the late afternoon and evening. I was younger then and more energetic. I heard from many neighbors who spoke with pride about their part of the city.

Neighbors' calls for noise barriers along the interstate highway resulted in legislation, a cause led by Rep. Laura Pantelakos and Sens. Burt Cohen and Martha Fuller Clark in the early days. Finally, with continued efforts by local leaders in recent years, the noise barriers will finally come to be.

It is understandable why some Pannaway Manor residents have expressed opposition to proposals for the Portsmouth Housing Authority to provide affordable housing at Sherburne School, which has been the location of the Robert J. Lister Academy. They love their neighborhood.

But we need housing. Portsmouth is a growing, evolving city, and that's a good thing. Paul McEachern would frequently talk with me about development proposals, and point out that if a city doesn't grow, the alternative is stagnation. He was right.

To grow, we need housing, but the search for affordable housing has been elusive to us. That's a reason that housing at Sherburne School makes sense. The possibilities may include keeping much of the current building — at least the front part — that would honor architectural features that we don't see elsewhere.

Housing might also be built in the rear, toward the field. I would hope that much of the open field and abutting greenery would be kept. Since decision-making still has a way to go, the possibilities are wide open.

I'll add my suggestion that several micro-units be provided, suitable for one or two people each that would be substantially reduced in cost compared to other units.

A new neighborhood

Portsmouth has a lot of neighborhoods. Hundreds, when you think about it. Whatever housing is done at Sherburne School becomes a neighborhood within itself. It won't encroach on other neighborhoods. Pannaway Manor and environs will remain as they have been — beautiful communities of neighbors who share a lot of commonality. Housing at Sherburne School would be in a part of town that has old and new attributes that other parts of our city don't share. Within easy walking distance are the community gardens, a brand new skate park, a ball field, and a bike and walking trail. The Portsmouth Community Campus is nearby, along with a supermarket and a pharmacy.

Join the discussion

To their credit, Mayor Deaglan McEachern and city councilors have reached out to our citizenry to hear ideas and concerns from diverse viewpoints on several issues of importance.

Housing has also received similar attention, and councilors have had discussions in the city's Housing Committee and in forums. There will be more opportunities to be involved. Just check cityofportsmouth.com to learn more.

In government, the search for decisions works best when more people are included in the process, and when that process is done fully in the open. Councilors are ready to listen.

Portsmouth Housing Authority is excited

I recently met for a couple of hours with PHA Director Craig Welch and Outreach Director Andrea Pickett. Both are a wealth of information about Sherburne School and other housing opportunities. They have an excitement in their voices as they discuss affordable housing, and it's not personal about themselves — it's about us.

Anyone interested can contact them at the PHA office, 603 436-4310. The PHA does good, quality work, and helps a lot of our residents — as exhibited by its 650 units citywide, serving more than 1,700 residents.

Next time: Sen. Lou D'Allesandro: A great leader retires.

Variously since 1969, Jim Splaine has been New Hampshire state senator for six years, representative for 24 years, Police Commission and School Board member, Portsmouth assistant mayor for 12 years and city councilor for 18 years. He can be reached at jimsplaineportsmouthnh@gmail.com.