10.13.2026 City Council

The Portsmouth City Council meeting of October 13, 2026, approved the Municipal Building Blue Ribbon Committee’s preferred Concept C for the municipal complex, including revised third- and fourth-floor plans and HVAC and electrical upgrades. The council accepted the plan with a total estimated cost of $58.6 million and directed that the FY2028–2033 Capital Improvement Plan be updated to reflect the estimate and phased schedule. Members described the project as a renovation of the police facility and City Hall, with borrowing expected in phases as funds are needed; JSA was thanked for its design work. The council also approved a request to donate and install a Paul Revere marker in Market Square, with no city funding requested, and accepted drainage and turnaround easements and additional right-of-way for a new public street, to be named McMaster Drive.

The council approved annual renewals of valet license agreements with Laz Parking Limited LLC for PortWalk HI LLC and Parade Residence Hotel LLC. It advanced zoning amendments on the Middle Street historic-district boundary through final reading and scheduled a third reading of amendments that would move most parking regulations for site-plan-reviewed projects from the zoning ordinance into site plan regulations. Other funding actions included accepting a $13,000 Granite United Way opioid-abatement grant and donations for the Point of Grave Cemetery wall replacement and Senior Activity Center luncheon fund. Councilors also reviewed citizen CIP requests, including sidewalks, a bicycle path, disc golf, and a zero-waste plan; no awards or contracts for those requests were made at this meeting.