Councilwoman Kitty Bryant

09/14/2026

August updates from City Manager Steven Carter include:

- Police operations targeting fi****ms
- Infrastructure upgrades and repairs
- Services and workforce training for residents
- New community programming
- Redevelopment progress and further maritime development

These highlights align with our Strategic Pillars — including Get Stuff Done.

09/10/2026

Walk and talk with me — Foster care is an urgent need in Portsmouth. If you or someone in your network is interested in serving as a safe space, please find the link in the comments for more information.

09/09/2026

Three Updates from last night’s City Council Meeting:

1. Public art at the Portsmouth Pavilion

Support Portsmouth Public Art shared a plan to beautifully improve the Portsmouth Pavilion with several large-scale art projects, including fence, ground and pavilion murals. Council supported the proposal as we continue working to create inviting spaces that attract community, tourism and economic growth.

Over the last 16 years, SPPA has installed 161 pieces of public art throughout Portsmouth. Those projects, along with their annual Mural Fest, have made our city more vibrant while bringing local, national and international artists to Portsmouth.

The Pavilion project would continue that mission while creating a distinct space that draws people to our revitalized waterfront both day and night.
Public art is also an ongoing conversation for Council. Last week, our Museum and Fine Arts Commission discussed plans for a citywide art plan they are developing to bring more art into public spaces across Portsmouth.

We are also in the process of considering proposals for Pavilion management, with the current contract ending in January. We know the value of a full season at this venue. It's a fantastic place to attend a concert and support our local businesses.

2. An update from the Port of The Port of Virginia

Chris Gullickson with the Port of Virginia updated Council on the port’s continued growth, including its status as the deepest, widest commercial shipping channel on the East Coast. That depth and width allow the Port to operate with efficiencies that cannot be matched by other East Coast ports.

The strength of our port matters not just to Portsmouth, but to the entire Commonwealth. About 1 in 10 jobs in Virginia is connected to the Port, making it a major driver of our maritime economy.

Gullickson also shared that soybeans and soybean products are Virginia’s number one export, helping attract agriculture transloading companies like The DeLong Company and Ray-Mont Logistics to invest in Portsmouth.

As we continue to focus on workforce development, the maritime industry remains an important source of local career opportunities. Next week, Councilman Mark Hugel and I will work alongside Portsmouth Public Schools and Portsmouth At Work staff to continue conversations with the Virginia Maritime Association about connecting our students with the maritime industry and helping them understand the wide range of careers available to them.

3. Event venue proposed for Westhaven

Council deferred a public hearing on an event space proposed on Rodman Road in the Westhaven neighborhood. The item will return at our September 22 meeting, giving Council time to meet jointly with our Planning Commission and discuss this proposal in the context of our broader planning and growth goals.

I supported the deferral after conversations with our police chief, city planner and the applicant.

We are working through real public safety challenges, including an ongoing challenge to recruit and retain police officers. This is a time to be deliberate about the growth and what we have the capacity to support.

I look forward to our joint meeting with the Planning Commission and to hearing ideas about our vision as Portsmouth continues to grow and redevelop.

Upcoming:

Join us at the Portsmouth Pavilion on September 18 for a free concert by the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with the performance at 7:30 p.m. Registration is required, sign up here: tickets.virginiasymphony.org/symphonyontheriver

09/02/2026

Limited edition library cards available now. Congratulations to the design contest winners! 📚

08/31/2026

Portsmouth Police Department Chief Stephen Jenkins recently provided information about Portsmouth’s use of public safety technology, while also answering questions from the public. The two-hour discussion includes good information and an honest conversation about how we balance safety with the use of these tools.

The City has increased its investment in police technology over the last two years following a public mandate to address rising crime. As we continue to navigate a law enforcement hiring crisis, we have seen crime decrease, in part because of the efficiencies technology can provide.

In his presentation, the Chief outlines our use of license plate readers and gunshot detection . You’ve probably seen these systems around the city. One captures snapshots of license plates; the other detects sounds that may indicate gunfire. The placement of cameras and detection devices is data-driven, with the goal of making these systems as effective and efficient as possible.

In response to concerns about data collection, the Chief explained that Virginia is the third-most restrictive state in the country when it comes to the collection and retention of this type of data. Guardrails include limiting data storage to 21 days unless it is tied to a specific case. After 21 days, the data, which is owned by the City, is purged.

The Chief also addressed the potential for misuse of cameras by staff, describing administrative flags that can raise alerts around search patterns. He made clear that PPD will have zero tolerance for misuse.

For much more information, watch the Town Hall session linked here. As the Chief stated, transparency is important. Thank you to PPD for bringing this conversation to the public.

08/30/2026

One of my most memorable experiences representing Portsmouth so far was sailing aboard the United States Coast Guard Barque EAGLE during this summer’s Sail Virginia parade. Sailing with the crew, learning about their work, and seeing Portsmouth from aboard the historic ship was a day I’ll never forget.

So when I saw Wendy Nelson Photography 's beautiful photograph of the Eagle at the Seawall Art Show Portsmouth Virginia last weekend, I was instantly drawn to it. When she told me it was taken during the Sail Virginia parade, I knew it needed to come home with us.

This week, I had the piece framed at Portsmouth’s Hartung Gallery. They did a beautiful job displaying and protecting the photograph so that, one day, it can be handed down to my children, who were aboard the ship with me.

And yes—the kids spotted us in the photo, thanks to my favorite Portsmouth blue hat! 🧢

08/27/2026

Walk and talk with me — Crawford Bay proposals are due Monday. We’re on track to select a developer by the end of the year.

08/26/2026

Three Updates from last night’s City Council Meeting:

1. Hampton Roads Sanitation District staff addressed Council following the August 4 break of their force main pipe on Douglas Avenue near Hull Creek. The failure resulted from corrosion on the 1943 pipe, which burst under pressure from heavy rains during that evening’s storm. It led to more than 3 million gallons of sewage spilling into the surrounding neighborhood and waterway.

To date, the system has been repaired, with no loss of service to customers. Environmental clean-up and neighborhood restoration continue. HRSD is partnering with state agencies, the City, and the Elizabeth River Project to ensure safety and plan remediation. Currently, bacteria levels in Hull Creek and the Elizabeth River have safely dropped, but metal contaminant levels remain elevated.

Moving forward, HRSD shared plans for local capital improvement projects and an overall system assessment, using tools to monitor the pipes that connect to the City’s sewage system. Council discussion emphasized communication, in particular between HRSD and the City on timing infrastructure projects to create the least disruption, and between HRSD and residents regarding the clean-up. HRSD will be providing Council with contact information for residents to directly reach staff who can answer questions and address concerns.

2. Planning staff presented the next draft of changes to our Short-Term Rental plan, which will head to the Planning Commission on September 1, then to Council for a public hearing and vote early this fall. If approved, the ordinance is expected to take effect in January.

The goal is to create regulatory consistency and address public safety and quality-of-life concerns. Currently, local STRs are not regulated. A proposed tiered system will allow for owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied rentals, with different requirements for each. The draft ordinance also includes regulations for occupancy, parking, and events. Drafts have been based on feedback from leadership and 11 public input sessions.

3. Council unanimously approved a senior housing project called Twin Pines, to be located in Churchland. The four-story, 82-unit project will help us meet the high demand for affordable senior housing, with amenities that include a fitness center, dog park, computer room, and electric vehicle charging.

This project, for ages 62+, was previously approved, but delayed at the state level, with timing requiring a new Use Permit. It is expected to be move-in ready in late 2028, with residents paying 30 percent of their income in rent and project-based vouchers supporting the remainder.

Coming up — an opportunity to engage:

Government 101 is back! Save the date to register September 9 at noon — this popular course fills fast. Starting September 28, participants will meet weekly to learn how our City works, hear from staff, ask questions, and learn how to get involved. This program is a fantastic way to become an ambassador for Portsmouth and be part of our fast-moving progress.

Questions or concerns? [email protected]

08/25/2026

Last night, our Crime and Gun Violence Prevention Commission brought forward a new plan to address violent crime.

Project Impact will offer a cross-department response to crime, treating violent crime like a public health emergency.

Council unanimously supported the proposal. Thank you to our commissioners for their continued work on public safety solutions.

Read more here:

Portsmouth takes new approach to gun violence, treating crime as a public health emergency https://www.13newsnow.com/article/news/crime/portsmouth-takes-new-approach-to-gun-violence-treating-crime-as-a-public-health-emergency/291-c6a5bc6f-306f-43fd-8748-5993c9354e3d https://www.13newsnow.com/article/news/crime/portsmouth-takes-new-approach-to-gun-violence-treating-crime-as-a-public-health-emergency/291-c6a5bc6f-306f-43fd-8748-5993c9354e3d

Portsmouth is moving forward with Project Impact, a new approach that brings city departments and partner agencies together within 24 hours to address gun violence.