Jim Lee

Q1. What is the biggest problem Portsmouth is facing, and how would you solve it?

Portsmouth is at a crossroads between growth and preservation. The biggest challenge we face is balancing development with affordability, sustainability, and the character of our community. We need policies that make Portsmouth livable for all income levels while protecting our historic and cultural assets. I would prioritize housing solutions, fiscal transparency, and smart zoning reform that encourages diverse housing types while preserving what makes our city unique. Collaboration with regional partners, local organizations, and residents will be key to finding thoughtful, long-term solutions.

Q2. Portsmouth’s budget has reached nearly $150 million and its payroll has 260-plus people earning $100 000-plus. As a city councilor, what steps would you take, if any, to address the tax burden on residents?

Portsmouth residents are feeling the impact of rising taxes, and we need to be vigilant stewards of their dollars. While we value the hard work of city employees, we must ensure that salaries and department growth are justified and aligned with the city’s long-term needs. As a councilor, I would advocate for a thorough audit of the budget to identify redundancies, inefficiencies, and areas for streamlining. We also need to ensure any new spending — on facilities or staffing — is essential and transparent.

Additionally, we must look beyond property taxes for revenue. Encouraging responsible commercial development and diversifying our tax base can ease the burden on homeowners. I also support long-term financial planning to prevent reactive budgeting. Finally, engaging the public in the budget process — with clear data and plain language — can help restore trust and ensure the city’s priorities reflect the community’s needs.

Q3. With affordability being such a challenge in Portsmouth, what would you do to make it more accessible to people with a wide range of incomes?

Affordability is central to the future of Portsmouth. If people who work here — teachers, first responders, restaurant staff — can’t afford to live here, we lose the heart of our community. We need to expand housing options beyond traditional single-family homes, including duplexes, townhouses, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and workforce apartments.

Zoning reform can help facilitate this, especially in underutilized areas that can support gentle density. I support public-private partnerships that prioritize income-restricted units, and I believe city-owned land should be considered for well-managed, mixed-income developments.

Q4. The Portsmouth Housing Authority has projected rents for the apartments the agency is building on city-owned land at the former Sherburne School will range from $1,580 for a one-bedroom unit to nearly $2,200 for three bedrooms. Are those rates low enough for working people? If not, what can be done to lower them?

While the proposed rents are below market rate, they’re still out of reach for many working people in Portsmouth. A one-bedroom at $1,580 may work for some, but for many households — especially single-income families, essential workers, and seniors — it’s a stretch.

To lower rents, we need to pursue deeper affordability in future projects, especially when city-owned land is involved. This includes leveraging low-income housing tax credits, state and federal grants, and local partnerships to reduce development costs. Income restrictions should be built in for the long term — not just the first few years.

We also need to think creatively. That could mean offering density bonuses for developers who include more deeply affordable units, streamlining permitting to reduce carrying costs, or encouraging mixed-income models where market-rate units help subsidize lower rents. Land trusts and limited-equity cooperatives are other proven tools to create permanent affordability. We should also explore other creative options such as employer participation in rent payments for employees as an enhanced be

Ultimately, rents must reflect local wages — not just what the market can bear. If we don’t offer housing at a range of price points, we risk becoming a city only accessible to the wealthy, which threatens the diversity and vitality that define Portsmouth.

Q5. Should the city commit to using more city-owned land to build truly affordable housing or has Portsmouth done enough?

Portsmouth has made strides, but we have not done enough. City-owned land offers a powerful opportunity to guide development in a way that benefits residents directly. We should continue to identify underused parcels where affordable and mixed-income housing can be thoughtfully integrated into the surrounding neighborhoods.

That said, development must be context-sensitive — respecting the character of the area while addressing the real need for housing. This is not about large-scale, high-rise projects. It’s about leveraging what we have to build housing that works for a wider range of people: seniors, young professionals, working families, and more.

Q6. Should the city reconsider the scope of a potential police station and City Hall renovation and upgrade project with a projected $42 million cost?

Yes, the scope of this project absolutely warrants reconsideration. A $42 million investment is substantial, and we must be certain it reflects urgent needs, not just long-term wish lists. We should assess what is essential to maintain safety, accessibility, and efficiency — and what can be phased in, scaled back, or reimagined.

Both the police department and City Hall staff deserve functional, modern workspaces, but in a time of rising costs and high taxes, we must weigh this investment against other priorities like affordable housing, infrastructure, and school funding.

Every major capital project should be approached with fiscal discipline and a strong sense of purpose. If residents are expected to foot the bill, they deserve full clarity on how their money will be spent.

Q7. Should Portsmouth do something to encourage development at the McIntyre building site, where the owner says city zoning has made redevelopment difficult?

Yes, we should do more to break the logjam at the McIntyre site. This is a centerpiece of downtown, and leaving it underused is a missed opportunity. At the same time, we must ensure that any redevelopment honors Portsmouth’s architectural character, public access, and the vision that residents have long expressed for this site.

It’s possible that current zoning is too rigid for productive reuse. The city should work collaboratively with the property owner and the public to reassess the zoning without compromising on design standards or public benefit.

Q8. The City Council has put forward ideas to address traffic flow and walkability in high-profile locations like State Street and Congress Street. What is your opinion on these efforts?

Improving walkability and traffic flow is essential to keeping downtown Portsmouth vibrant, safe, and enjoyable for everyone. Efforts to calm traffic, expand pedestrian space, and prioritize alternative modes of transportation are steps in the right direction.

State Street and Congress Street are key corridors for both locals and visitors. Enhancing crosswalks, reducing speeding, and reconfiguring intersections can improve safety and encourage more foot traffic for downtown businesses. At the same time, we need to be mindful of how changes affect delivery vehicles, emergency response, and parking access.

Any redesign should be data-driven and shaped by robust public input. Temporary or pilot projects are a great way to test ideas before making permanent changes. Ultimately, creating a downtown that’s safer, greener, and more accessible will support our economy and improve quality of life for all who live, work, and visit here.

Q9. Should the city begin looking for a site where it can build its third municipal parking garage? If so, what part of the city makes the most sense? If not, how can the city meet its increasing parking demand?

Rather than rushing to build another garage, Portsmouth should first evaluate how to manage better and optimize our existing parking resources.

Technology like real-time space availability, tiered pricing, and improved signage can go a long way toward alleviating congestion.

That said, if demand continues to grow—particularly with tourism and downtown events—a third garage may become necessary. If so, it should be located strategically, perhaps in the northern tier or near the Islington Street corridor, where it can support local businesses and new development without further crowding the heart of downtown.

Q10. What else would you like voters to know about you?

Portsmouth has been both my home and my professional base for over 15 years. But, I also spent 30 years as a Realtor in East Tennessee.. As a real estate broker, I’ve spent decades navigating complex negotiations, solving problems creatively, and working with people from all walks of life to help them achieve their goals. That experience has given me a deep understanding of housing, development, municipal regulations, and—most importantly—how to listen, build consensus, and get things done.

Those are the same skills I would bring to the City Council: practical, results-oriented thinking; the ability to weigh competing interests fairly; and a steady commitment to the long-term good of our community.

I’m running because I care about Portsmouth’s future and believe in thoughtful, transparent leadership. I’m not interested in pushing an agenda — I’m here to work hard, listen closely, and help shape policies that keep Portsmouth livable, vibrant, and inclusive for generations to come. I respectfully ask for your vote on November 4th.