Cavanaugh: City should pursue rights to McIntyre under Judd Gregg legislation

Portsmouth Herald
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Cavanaugh: City should pursue rights to McIntyre under Judd Gregg legislation

July 7 − To the Editor:

I’ve been trying to stay out of the fray, but I just can't help myself. Ted Jankowski has it right!

Cavanaugh: I drafted the legislation which directed the GSA to transfer the McIntyre Federal Building to the City of Portsmouth for $1, with stipulations requiring that the City re-develop the site in a three way split; 1/3 open space, 1/3 commercial, and 1/3 residential, while conforming with Portsmouth's historical Federalist period architectural style.

As a then aide for US Senator Judd Gregg managing his Portsmouth District office in 2002, Mayor Eileen Foley asked the NH co-del (congressional delegation) for assistance with the transfer (of the McIntyre property to the city of Portsmouth).

After coffee at the then Daniel Street Caffee Kilim, I pitched Judd, and he said, "Let's do it!"  I then drafted the legislation which directed the GSA to transfer the McIntyre Federal Building to the City of Portsmouth for $1, with stipulations requiring that the City re-develop the site in a three way split; 1/3 open space, 1/3 commercial, and 1/3 residential, while conforming with Portsmouth's historical Federalist period architectural style.

Twenty years later, I'm happy to work with interested community members in a positively toned and good faith initiative to conduct an "archeological dig" of the failed political processes which dropped the ball on behalf of Portsmouth residents, and replace this Albatross with work force housing and open space for the benefit of Portsmouth residents and visitors alike. “Let’s do it!”

John Cavanaugh

Portsmouth

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Cavanaugh: City should pursue McIntyre under Judd Gregg legislation