Portsmouth advances waterfront redevelopment plans

Portsmouth is moving forward with plans to transform a long-underused stretch of its downtown waterfront, seeking a private development partner for what city leaders describe as a “once-in-a-generation” project.

The roughly 6-acre Crawford Bay site along the Elizabeth River, owned by the city’s economic development authority and located near the city’s historic Olde Towne district, has remained largely unused since a former Holiday Inn was demolished in 2008.

City officials are now working to change that. Earlier this spring, Portsmouth issued a request for qualifications, the first step in a two-phase process to select a master developer. That phase closed in early May, and the city is currently reviewing submissions and preparing to shortlist development teams.

The RFQ asked developers to demonstrate experience with comparable mixed-use projects, as well as the financial capacity and vision to complete a project of similar scale.

The city plans to issue a request for proposals later in June and narrow the field of developers in the weeks that follow, with officials aiming to select a development partner by November.
A joint committee of city officials, staff and EDA members will review the proposals, with the final selection requiring approval from both the EDA and City Council.

“This is top priority No. 1,” Mayor Shannon Glover says, calling the effort a “transformational” project that could redefine the city’s waterfront and “bring people back downtown.”

Officials say they are seeking a high-density, mixed-use project that combines housing, a hotel, retail and dining, office and public gathering spaces designed to draw both residents and visitors.

Economic Development Director Brian Donahue says the city is looking to bring the property to its “highest and best use,” noting the site is not currently generating tax revenue. He adds the city wants the new use of the property to contribute to the city’s economy and also make the city’s waterfront “a destination” for residents and visitors.

Recent market analysis suggests the site could support more than 300 residential units, a hotel with at least 150 rooms, and 60,000 square feet of retail space, Donahue says.

Public input gathered from city residents earlier this year highlighted strong demand for more activity along the waterfront, including dining, entertainment and accessible public space.

“We need reasons for people to come,” resident Katherine Dickenson said at a public input meeting in February.