How urban renewal laid the groundwork for the gentrification of Portsmouth

Nationwide 1960s redevelopment program had devastating impacts on the city’s working class

By: Paul Cuno-Booth

Outlets: Granite State News CollaborativeSeacoast Online

Published: September 17, 2026

Words: 1,982

Last Updated: 1 day, 1 hour ago

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When Jim Splaine was growing up, Portsmouth’s North End was a diverse, working-class neighborhood settled by generations of immigrants. His family lived above his grandfather’s beer parlor, one of dozens of local businesses. His neighbors included veterans, service workers and people employed at the shipyard.

“As a pup, I used to remember walking up the streets around dinnertime and smelling the different dishes of the different cultures,” said 79-year-old …

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