Michelle Flynn

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

Affordability is one of the most pressing challenges facing Portsmouth. We are fortunate to live in a city with an excellent quality of life -- great schools, robust public services, and a strong sense of community. But as we grow, we risk losing the character that has long defined us.

We must ensure that housing is accessible to residents across a range of income levels. The PHA has made real progress, including new apartments that serve working families. Redevelopment of the Sherburne School site is a step forward, and the approval of the J.J. Newbury buildng project shows that the city is open to creative solutions.

We must keep listening to residents, working with planning experts, and keeping affordability a core priority.My husband and I bought our home in Portsmouth 25 years ago. Today, we likely couldn’t afford to buy that same house. That reality gives us pause. A true measure of progress is whether our children can envision a future here, not just as visitors, but as residents.

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?

Although a staggering number my understanding is that the city has kept the year-to-year growth of the budget within a 4-5% increase. We are all living with increased costs and in terms of salaries my understanding is that cost of living expenses were adjusted for.

I would hesitate to make assumptions but some thoughts on keeping the tax burden in check:

• Explore zero-based budgeting targeting certain departments. It’s not a silver bullet, but even small shifts like this can help slow the pace of growth. I am sure spending audits happen, but selectively applied this process may provide a way to bring spending in check.
• As the need for parking is addressed, this becomes a source of additional income.
• The new market-rate housing developments underway could potentially help broaden the tax base over time.

I’d also back an effort to reintroduce a bill in Concord that would let cities like Portsmouth charge a local hotel occupancy fee. Tourists enjoy everything our city offers — why not let a small fee help fund infrastructure and services, instead of putting it all on residents?

And honestly, I question the idea that we have to raise salaries every year just to keep talent. Portsmouth is an incredible place to live and work. If we’re not attracting and retaining great people, we should be asking why—not assuming the answer is always more money.

At the end of the day, it’s about balance, keep Portsmouth thriving, and ensure the people who live here can afford to stay.

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 in Portsmouth is a real challenge — especially when it comes to housing. We have great public resources that serve a wide range of incomes, like the Connie Bean Center, the rail trail, and the library etc. But housing is foundational, and it’s where the gap is most visible.

I’d continue supporting partnerships with the PHA and developers to create affordable, creative housing options. While the market may be slightly less intense than last year, it’s still out of reach for many. We need to keep pushing for solutions that meet people where they are.

I also believe affordability extends beyond housing. As a full-time working parent, I struggled with the cost and logistics of after-school programs. The council’s recent move to expand childcare partnerships is a step in the right direction. If we want Portsmouth to be accessible, we need to make sure families, seniors, and individuals of all income levels can participate fully in city life — not just live here, but thrive here.

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?

The short answer is yes—those rents are reasonable for some working people, especially dual-income households or professionals earning $60,000-plus. But cost of living is rising, and for many entry-level workers making $30–$35K, even the lower-end units could be a stretch. Affordability depends on more than rent — it’s about transportation, childcare, and overall financial stability. To help, we can prioritize mixed-income housing and again push for state-level tools like a local occupancy fee on hotel guests and short-term rentals that could be allocated for housing initiatives. The Sherburne project is a step forward! It joins other standout efforts like Ruth Lewin Griffin Place — 64 mixed-income units located right in the downtown and recognized as a national model. Another example is the Christ Church Workforce Housing Development on Lafayette Road, which brings together affordable housing, on-site childcare, and transitional units for survivors of domestic abuse, along with Haven’s headquarters. But we need to keep asking: who’s being left out

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

I think that the short answer is yes, there is so much more that can be done to ensure we are providing housing to working people. I think the lot at Granite Street, which is located between Market Street and Woodbury Avenue across from Nature’s Path, is an interesting possibility as you have services (grocery and shopping) right there and a safe walking/biking corridor into down town.

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?

First, let me say that I believe this is a critical project that should move forward in the 2025–26 fiscal year. I support a dual-location model that maintains a police presence on Junkins Avenue to ensure continued visibility in the community, while also allowing for a state-of-the-art facility on municipal property. I understand several sites are under consideration, and the City Hall Lower Lot appears to be a reasonable option.

That said, I believe the city should carefully reconsider the scope —$42 million is a significant investment, and we need to ensure it aligns with both current needs and long-term value. Additionally, costs have already risen and will likely continue to increase the longer the decision is delayed.

My main concern is that the new station, wherever it is ultimately located, does not disrupt existing community spaces and that emergency access remains safe and efficient. While I don’t have all the technical details, I believe this project is a high priority and deserves ongoing thoughtful planning and meaningful public input.

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

Yes, Portsmouth should absolutely take steps to encourage development at the McIntyre site. Losing ownership of such a valuable property, in a prime downtown location was a missed opportunity. But that doesn’t mean the city should remain passive.

If zoning laws are creating barriers to redevelopment, then that’s a signal for the city to revisit those regulations and explore more collaborative solutions. This is a chance to build a stronger partnership with the current owner, Mr. DiLorenzo, and align redevelopment goals with community needs.

Downtown Portsmouth faces real challenges—especially around space and parking—but thoughtful planning could turn the McIntyre site into a vibrant asset. Ideas worth exploring may include:

• Creating more green space or a public park.
• Developing mixed income housing.
• Establishing a small conference center to complement the city’s hotels and restaurant.

Portsmouth is a destination city. Let’s make sure its core reflects that — by encouraging smart, inclusive development that benefits residents and visitors alike.

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?

I was not in favor of the city allocating $50,000 for the traffic and walkability studies on State Street. While I understand the funding has already been approved, I remain skeptical about the necessity and direction of these efforts.

Regarding the project to widen the sidewalks on upper Congress, foot traffic in that area of downtown Portsmouth doesn’t appear overtly dangerous, which leads me to ask: what specific problem are we trying to solve? The decision to widen the sidewalk seems precautionary, I couldn’t find any evidence of pedestrian incidents on the upper section of Congress Street. Consideration around accessibility in that section of Congress would definitely be worth considering but these changes seem more geared toward aesthetics and tourism than addressing concrete safety concerns for residents.

Concerns have been raised about diverting traffic from the Memorial Bridge onto State Street. As a local resident, I don’t experience this as a major issue — I often take the route through Prescott Park to South Street without difficulty. From my perspective, traffic flow in that area is manageable.

Moreover, narrowing streets could introduce new risks. State Street is already tight—drivers often navigate close to parked cars—and further constriction may worsen that. I believe the city should prioritize targeted improvements that enhance walkability without compromising traffic flow, and most importantly, ensure that resident input guides these decisions.

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?

Given how crowded downtown Portsmouth already is, there’s not a viable location for a third municipal parking garage. I believe the city should explore expanding existing facilities — for example, adding a second level to both the Bridge Street and Worth lots, with the understanding that feasibility studies would be required. These additions could be open-air which could reduce construction costs and visual impact. This approach would increase parking capacity while leveraging existing infrastructure and minimizing sprawl to the surrounding area and both of these lots are centrally located. I understand there has also been discussion about expanding the Hanover Street garage, which I would favor over the Foundry.

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

I come from a multigenerational Portsmouth family and grew up in the same house my mother was raised in. Although I spent about 10 years away but I moved back in 1993 and have called Portsmouth home ever since. My husband Joe and I have both worked for local companies — first at Bottomline Technologies, where we met, and for the past 17 years, I’ve been with Heinemann Publishing. Between working for those companies, I spent seven years self-employed, based right here in Portsmouth.

Joe and I were married in October 2001, bought our home in October 2002, and welcomed our daughter Zoe in October 2003, followed by our son John in November 2006. We raised our children in this community, supported by the incredible educators at Community Child Care Center (now Seacoast Community School) and the Portsmouth Public Schools.

Portsmouth has given me so much — it is truly my hometown. In what can feel like divisive times, I want to lean in, give back, and help strengthen the community I love. I would be honored to do that by serving on the Portsmouth City Council.