Talks for Portsmouth Naval Prison Renovation Plans Underway Again

Looming over the Piscataqua and Atlantic Ocean, the castle-like structure that was once a naval prison draws many questions from curious visitors to Portsmouth. Owned by the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, the only way to it by land is through the naval base in Kittery, ME. You can’t visit it, you can only look and wonder at it.

Wondering is exactly what the Navy has been doing with the prison for decades. It has been included (along with 13 other sites nationwide) in the Enhance Use Lease Program, an effort by the navy to lease facilities that are no longer needed. Over the last few months, a new and hopeful attempt to utilize the building is underway.

Citizens of the coastal city have heard rumors that something was going to be done with the old prison for years. The city has become a hip and vibrant gem in New England and it just seems that something should be done with that colossal building to bring it up to par. Developer Joseph Sawtelle attempted to turn the building into upscale offices in the late 1990’s but the deal fell through when he passed away before the deal was finished. Ideas of a hotel have floated around, ideas of oceanfront office space, as well as ideas of it as a tourist attraction.

Democratic Reprehensive Carrol Shea-Porter has her own plans for the prison. She advocates for turning the building into the new cyber command center for the Air Force. With increased concern about cyber warfare, she thinks it’d be a perfect fit for the community, hopefully strengthening NH’s high-tech push. It does not appear that the Air Force sees it as such a prime location as the Air Force hasn’t announced any plans.

This April, around 40 private developers met with Navy officials about the requirements for developing the property in Durham. Some of these requirements included:

• Develop a successful, long-term, mutually beneficial business relationship with the Navy;
• Maximize the value of the real property within the constraints and restrictions identified by the Navy that addresses the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard's needs;
• Design and develop the real estate in a manner that is compatible with adjacent Navy uses;
• Execute, operate and manage the development consistent with best commercial practices; and
• Maintain positive relations with local government authorities and the adjacent communities.

The Navy stated that it hopes to have a contract by early 2009.

Deputy Portsmouth City Manager Cindy Hayden thought that it could be in the best economic interest for the town, “There’s the prospect of jobs for local residents over there. Prospect for additional customers for our local businesses.”

David Kelly, the deputy commander for base operations, pointed out the security problems its access point being through the naval yard, “That was one of the turnoffs for potential tenants, yeah you might be able as a regular employee, to come and go somewhat at will , but if you have visitors, getting them from the front gate to your office could be not worth the hassle when there are other office alternatives in the Seacoast. “

For now, it sits entrapped like its inhabitants once were; its bars are not iron but overgrown vines and trees, its guards are now scouring crows. It surely will take a fortune to turn this building that once held a maximum of 2,295 prisoners, but the benefit to the seacoast area would be enormous.