Portsmouth City Council reviews phased $58.6M municipal‑building plan, with $42.2M earmarked for police upgrades; work session set

Portsmouth City Council on June 22 reviewed a multi‑phase proposal to overhaul City Hall and modernize the city’s police facilities, with leaders saying the plan is intended to be implemented over several years and funded in phases to limit immediate tax impacts.

The municipal‑building Blue Ribbon Committee presented a nine‑phase plan that would cover major police‑station upgrades and broader City Hall renovations. Committee members and councilors cited figures in the packet that put police‑station upgrades at roughly $42,215,000 and the total, including subsequent phases, at about $58,634,000. Councilors described the approach as phased and bond‑funded to spread costs over time.

Councilor Cook, speaking for the committee, said the first five phases would include most police‑station upgrades and stressed the plan’s phased timing: “The first five phases is essentially the vast majority of the police station upgrades… these are really big numbers. However, it’s important to realize that would be phased in over a number of years and bonded.”

Supporters said the plan aims to improve functionality — secure sally port access, safer interview and booking areas, upgraded evidence rooms and better workspaces for patrol and investigative units — while freeing space for a single point of service for the public in City Hall. Councilor Bagley and others noted that moving some school department staff and dispatching changes (temporarily moving police dispatch to Fire Station 2) are part of the strategy to reduce construction scope and cost.

Several councilors emphasized the importance of more public input and recommended review at the council level before the committee proceeds further. Councilor Cook moved to schedule a work session during the July meeting so the council could ‘‘get up to date on the current planning’’ and provide feedback; the motion was seconded and approved.

The committee’s representatives noted architects need feedback by July 29 to inform the next design steps. Council members said the phased financing and staggered bonds are designed to reduce the short‑term tax burden and preserve the city’s triple bond rating, though the ultimate effect will depend on bond sizing and timing. Some members suggested additional work sessions could be scheduled if necessary.

Next steps: the council will hold the requested work session in July to review the municipal‑building plan and financials, with the Blue Ribbon Committee to provide refinements before the July 29 architect/planning update.