Sherburne Property Project

Sherburne School
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TIMELINE

Next Steps

At the City Council meeting on November 19, 2024, the City Council voted to elicit additional information from the Portsmouth Housing Authority and Preservation of Affordable Housing, Inc. The City staff memorandum detailing this schedule and the action taken by the City Council is attached. The City Council voted to adopt the following schedule for eliciting this additional feedback:

  • 11/21 at 12:00 pm: City Councilors to submit written questions to the City Manager
  • 11/21 at 5:30 pm: Housing Blue Ribbon Committee works to develop written questions to the top two ranked firms
  • 11/22 by 1 pm: City staff publish the written questions to the two top-ranked firms. Questions will be distributed directly to PHA and POAH, and posted on the City website
  • 11/27 by 12:00 pm: Two top-ranked firms may submit written responses to questions which will be published in the City Council agenda packet for the December 2, 2024 meeting, and on the City website
  • 12/2 City Council Meeting: City Council considers written answers and determines the next steps for the selection process. Representatives of PHA and POAH attended.
  • 12/9 Special City Council Meeting: City Council considers public comment and recommendation of the Housing Committee to make a selection on the project developer. At that meeting the City Council voted 8-1 in favor of having the City Manager enter into a contract with Portsmouth Housing Authority to develop the Sherburne School site.

HISTORY

The municipal property located at 35 Sherburne Road, was until recently occupied by the Robert J. Lister Academy. This property was vacated over the summer of 2024, and the City Council voted on April 15, 2024, to “work towards the official disposition and land lease of the Sherburne Property for the creation of permanent below-market rate housing.” This vote was taken at the recommendation of the Mayor’s Housing Blue Ribbon Committee.

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Find more information on the Housing Blue Ribbon Committee page.

The City Council held a Work Session on January 12, 2023 to review a presentation by Portsmouth Housing Authority and public comment to consider the reuse of the City-owned Sherburne School building and property at 35 Sherburne Road.

In August 2022, the School Board voted unanimously to approve the relocation of the Robert Lister Academy, the current Sherburne School occupant, to the Community Campus once renovations are completed there to accommodate the Academy's needs. the Board also voted unanimously to transfer care and control of the property to the City. The Council is reviewing all options for the reuse of the 5-acre Sherburne property. 

This presentation covered:

  • Sherburne site attributes
  • School building attributes
  • Options for housing
  • Options for community uses
  • Sustainability goals
  • 2022 Housing Market Study findings
  • History of partnership in affordable housing
  • PHA financial commitment
  • Timeline options: "Yes, Housing Now" or "Maybe, Housing Later"

Also see meeting video, below, starting at timestamp 1:14:40.

Meetings