Revitalization Committee Promotes Various Methods for Participating in Public Listening Session
June 15, 2017
On Wednesday June 28, 2017, the Strategic Planning Committee for Vaughan-Worth-Bridge Revitalization will hold a public listening session at 6:30 p.m. at the Discover Portsmouth Center. The Committee’s website has been updated to provide information about the various methods the public can use to provide input to the Committee at this early stage in the process. These methods include a survey, electronic comment form, file sharing, and mark-up maps.
According to Committee Chair Councilor Rebecca Perkins, there is much work ahead for the Committee, but making this early contact with the public is a priority. “Our goal with the first listening session is to be as open as possible and let people speak their minds about how we can use these properties in the best interest of the City; people are welcome to share suggestions for our processes going forward or ideas about precedents we might want to look into.”
The Committee has established a variety of modes for members of the public to participate including a survey, electronic comment form, file sharing, and mark-up maps. While a public listening session for the public will be held on June 28th, members of the public who can’t attend or who wish to submit their comments via other means are invited to avail themselves of the following tools. More information is available at the Committee’s website:
- Comment form on Website: At the Committee’s website, members of the public can submit written comments via a web comment form. To do so, visit: http://www.cityofportsmouth.com/VaughanWorthBridge.html
- Submit files: Members of the public are invited to submit files to the Committee via the “Drop Box” (https://goo.gl/ud3SeU). Members of the public are encouraged to submit their own drawings, illustrations, images of example streetscapes or other urban design elements or even videos to the Committee.
- Initial Input Survey Tool: Members who wish to submit their input via a survey tool can do so by clicking on the Committee’ Initial Input Survey from on the Committee’s website. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VaughanWorthBridgeCommittee
- Mark-up Maps: A .pdf file of study area maps has been loaded to the website, which can be printed and marked-up by community members. Members can scan or and submit their marked-up drawings via Drop Box above or send to Portsmouth City Hall attention “Vaughan-Worth-Bridge Strategic Planning Committee”.
Additional Background Information
The Committee’s charge is to develop options for the future use of City-owned property in these areas and report back to the City Council with strategic recommendations as to how the City can best use its property to revitalize this area in service to the community. The charge also states that topics to be covered should address land use, urban design, public infrastructure, and timing.
In April, Mayor Blalock appointed a Strategic Planning Committee for Vaughan-Worth-Bridge Revitalization. Councilor Rebecca Perkins was appointed Chair of the Committee, which will focus on the City-owned parcels known as the Bridge Street lot, Vaughan Mall Lot (formerly Worth Lot) and the Vaughan Mall, as well as the public rights-of way between the future Foundry Place Garage and the Islington Street and Maplewood Avenue Intersection.