THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 29, 1996 TAG: 9609270241
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Opinion
LENGTH: 191 lines
We asked readers a couple of Sundays ago if they wanted to see Portside closed after this year or if they wanted it to remain open indefinitely, even after the new Elizabeth River ferry dock opens at the foot of High Street. Another option we mentioned was moving the facility to another location on the downtown waterfront. This is what readers told us:
A Harbor Court resident said: ``I would like to see Portside stay where it is because as a senior resident I can walk right down there and have lunch or dinner. And I think it's a shame they want to change it down to the other end of the street.''
A resident of Columbia Commons said: ``Our comment regards the Portside facility down on the Elizabeth River - we like it and we'd like to see it remain. However, we also understand a viable need for the new Navy facility here in the yard. And entertainment for the sailors and revenue for the city. We'd like to see Portside moved farther down river toward the Navy Yard. We'd like to see it relocated. And that's our view on Portside.''
A reader in the Churchland area responded: ``I think that Portside should stay open. There's nothing else in Portsmouth to do - they've already taken everything out. Please leave Portside.''
A man who lives on Mount Vernon Avenue said: ``Portside should stay open. It's one of the few things in the city of Portsmouth that actually brings people from other cities to Portsmouth to spend money. The thing that makes it unique is it's outside. I have friends that I work with that go there. Some of them like to go on Thursday evening when it's very busy and crowded and a band is out there. Other ones like to go on Friday when the crowd is a lot smaller. There is still live entertainment out there. They take their children out there and let them run around. And they can have a beer and relax. If Portside is moved it needs to keep the same atmosphere that it has now. And that's the outdoor atmosphere that you can come in any time you want to, not just on a Friday afternoon when they're having a band, but on Tuesday night if you're not doing anything.''
Another Portsmouth resident said: ``I agree wholeheartedly with Ida Kay Jordan's comments in the Sept. 15 Currents today that nobody would benefit by the closing of Portside. Both me and my wife go down to Portside numerous times during the summer. In fact, one of my neighbors owns a kiosk down there, and that's the only reason I go down to downtown Portsmouth is to go to Portside and just sit and watch the boats and watch the people. I can't believe the city in their infinite wisdom would even consider closing down Portside.''
A woman who lives on Hodges Ferry Road said: ``I think we need Portside, but we need something different from Portside. All people use it for mainly is to get to Norfolk, where all the action is at. If Portsmouth can't do something equivalent to Norfolk and have entertainment on this side of the water, then they do need to close it because the tent situation is a joke.''
A woman who lives on Dinwiddie Street said: ``As a resident of Olde Towne, I definitely support Portside remaining open in downtown Portsmouth. I think any venue or activity that brings life and activity into the community or city has value both to its citizens and visitors. And I suspect that Portside increases the revenue over all for the High Street merchant corridor.'' Another Portsmouth resident said: ``I'm against closing Portside. It's the only place we have in Portsmouth to go for entertainment and cheap fun. I'd really appreciate it if you wouldn't close it.''
A woman who lives on Tyler Crescent said: ``I would like Portside to stay open. My husband and I and children go there quite often during the summer right until it closes. We also enjoy going down there and watching the boats go up and down the river, watching the ferry come in and out and enjoy going there for some food. Our neighbor owns one of the stands there, and I really can't believe you'd consider closing it because it's such a wonderful place to meet new people and see some old friends. And I hope they decide to keep it open because otherwise we will not go down to downtown Portsmouth. The only reason we go is because of Portside.''
A woman who lives on Duke Drive said: ``I'm all in favor of keeping Portside open. I think it's a wonderful place to go in the evenings. I work at the shipyard and enjoy going there for lunchtime. I also patronize many of the downtown businesses at lunch and my going to Portside does not draw me away from those.''
A woman who lives on Green Street said: ``At the present time I think Portside should be left open and available for the people who do go over there and enjoy Portside. Also, maybe at a later date in the year, sometime when they find another location for Portside, maybe close to the Shipyard, I think somewhere along PortCentre Street near WAVY 10, would be a good spot for some of the sailors who are at the shipyard and the shipyard workers. Until then, I think it should stay where it's located at this time.''
A Worthington Square resident said: ``I want you to keep Portside open.''
A Naval Avenue resident responded: ``Please keep it. I'm a new resident of Portsmouth. One of the things I love about Portsmouth besides the old historical homes is Portside. My mother and sister are both from Philadelphia, and I brought them down. They both loved it. It's a nice place to sit, sometimes I read the Sunday paper down there. I've had a drink with my sister at Portside. It's a nice place to meet and greet people. It's one of the successful and beautiful things about Portsmouth. So please keep it.''
A Cradock man said: ``I think they should have Portside open. Seems like everything around here is to tear down Portsmouth. I was not born in Portsmouth, but I've come to make Portsmouth my home. Everything wants to be torn down - we don't have the money to do this - I see it on council meetings, school board meetings. They don't have the money to do this or that. They don't want to do nothing. Portside brings in people who just want to sit down and relax like they do across the river at Norfolk. Plus it's a good place to catch the ferry. Revenues are coming in to help both cities out.''
A man who lives on North Street said: ``Portside should not remain in its current location. There's no real reason why it can't be moved. The move would allow the merchants to remain in business - would allow people to gather. And the residents in the Olde Towne residential community would be allowed the peace and quiet that all residential neighborhoods deserve. This could be a win-win for everyone in this situation if it's moved.''
A woman who lives on Arden Street said: ``The City Council needs to make a firm decision on whether they want residences or entertainment on the downtown waterfront. They continue putting condos and apartments there. So I'm in favor of the suggestion in the last three paragraphs of Ida Kay Jordan's column on Sept. 15.''
A Chesapeake woman said: ``I think Portside should remain and stay open exactly where it is. I think it is a wonderful thing for our city for people to enjoy and to enjoy the musical entertainment. So I hope it will remain exactly where it is.''
A Portsmouth resident said: ``I think Portsmouth should leave Portside as it is. As it's already successful in bringing people downtown, why change a successful undertaking? I particularly love Thursday nights, which are really crowded with happy, dancing people from near and far away.''
A woman who lives in Currituck, N.C., said: ``As a former Portsmouth resident for many, many years, I find it hard to believe they're considering moving Portside. I even come in from North Carolina for special occasions to take part in the activities that are offered there.''
Another Portsmouth resident said: ``Portside seems to be a profitable organization. It provides suitable entertainment and safe entertainment. And it seems to be the porch to Portsmouth. It would be a travesty for it to be moved or relocated to a less accessible area, which I think the city is planning to do. That would primarily kill the focus of the downtown area, particularly for those who seek just some sort of entertainment, quiet surroundings and a peaceful evening overlooking the river.''
A woman who lives on Lewis Road said: ``I can't begin to tell you all the reasons for not moving Portside from its present location. It has so much charm, and part of its charm is the wonderful view of Waterside. We go there and support it. We hardly ever leave Portsmouth to eat in Norfolk anymore. We go to Portside - we don't always eat there. But we walk through and enjoy the charming area. Then sometimes we eat at one of the local areas like the Max, the Cafe Europa or to Madeline's after Portside closes. We support the area - it's successful, it's wonderful. Please do not mess it up.''
Another Chesapeake woman said: ``I'm opposed to moving Portside. I think it's fine where it is. If they move it over to the Coast Guard base, let's face it, the view's not going to be as nice. The ferry can easily make two stops to pick people up to go across the river. It's what they have done in the past, so I would definitely oppose moving Portside.''
A Harbor Court resident said: ``I think Portside needs to remain open and in its present location but should be a more permanent structure. We need to keep the positive things in our city, and this is a great place for residents and citizens to meet. Visitors cannot believe how nice we have it here on the waterfront with the Portside restaurants and entertainment. They always comment on how friendly everybody is. Why change a good thing? Also, the ferry dock needs to stay where it is. Make Portside an inside or outside structure and add other enticements for people to ride the ferry over to Portsmouth.''
A woman who lives on Idlewood Avenue said: ``I'm a Portsmouth native. I have been to Portside since it opened and continue to go. It's a wonderful place for family members to meet friends. Portsmouth still needs this to endorse the Olde Towne section. Building it another place would just be spending more money when you can use the Portside that we have. I would like to see Portside stay in the same place.''
Another Portsmouth resident said: ``I did not think they should move Portside. I think it's more convenient for more people where it is at this time.''
A Portsmouth business owner responded: ``I'm the owner of Dave's Cove Restaurant. Portside has been in downtown Portsmouth for the past 13 years. It has been the longest successful restaurant in Portsmouth besides the Holiday Inn. We have many people visit the Portside area. It's a mixing pot - old, young, new, rich people. The complex is supported by the local citizens, the citizens of Portsmouth. The marketplace has succeeded over the years. It's a unique setting and situation. Changing its location would have a very negative impact. I don't know if it would succeed in a different area.'' by CNB