Portsmouth 36-unit housing development proposed at historic downtown site
PORTSMOUTH — Developers are proposing a project at the historic former Portsmouth Steam Factory site to convert it into much-needed downtown housing.
The project, which is being proposed at 361 Hanover St. “consists of the addition of a new structure and the renovation of the existing commercial building … with the associated and required site improvements,” according to documents filed with the city.
Property owner and developer 361 Hanover Steam Factory LLC is proposing to convert the property from what is now commercial uses into 36 residential units at the site, which is located a short walk from downtown and is close to the city’s Foundry Place parking garage.
Tunnel to courtyard
Engineer John Chagnon filed documents on behalf of the development team with the city.
The redevelopment proposal “includes a new building along Hanover Street with a 20-foot tunnel entrance from Hanover Street to a central courtyard between the new building and the existing 361 Hanover St., (Portsmouth Steam Factory) building,” Chagnon said.
Residents will access the parking spaces for both buildings by using the courtyard, he said.
“The upper floors of the new Hanover Street building will contain 12 residential dwelling units and the Portsmouth Steam Factory Building would contain 24 dwelling units; for a total of 36 dwelling units,” Chagnon said.
He added the initial proposal calls for a total of 72 parking spaces on site.
All residential, no commercial space planned
Developers considered including some commercial uses on site, according to the documents their team filed.
“But the new structure is preferred to be entirely residential to add much needed housing stock in a desirable location where significant walkable amenities are in close proximity,” Chagnon said.
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He added developers believe “the neighborhood will be better served if the entire project is residential instead of having commercial uses on the first floor.”
The principals of 361 Hanover Steam Factory LLC are Exeter developer Steve Wilson and Scott Little of Ipswich, Massachusetts, according to information filed with the New Hampshire Secretary of State’s office.
The development team is scheduled to appear at Thursday’s city Planning Board meeting for a preliminary conceptual consultation, according to city documents.
City Planning Manager Peter Stith explained the preliminary conceptual consultation phase "provides the Planning Board with an opportunity to review the outlines of a proposed project before it gets to detailed design (and before the applicant refines the plan as a result of review by the Technical Advisory Committee and public comment at TAC hearings).”
“In order to maximize the value of this phase, board members are encouraged to engage in dialogue with the proponent to offer suggestions and to raise any concerns so that they may be addressed in a formal application,” Stith wrote in a memo to the Planning Board.
The consultation does not involve a public hearing, he added, and no vote is taken.
Only two stories remain of the former Portsmouth Steam Factory building, which used to be five stories but the structure – which was built in 1840 – was damaged in a fire in the 19th century, according to documents filed with the city.
A portion of the one-story Powerhouse Building also remains on the property and is located between Hill Street and Foundry Place, the documents say.
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The former Steam Factory building was recently appraised by the city at $2.85 million, according to city records.
Thursday’s Planning Board meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. and will be held in council chambers at City Hall.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Portsmouth housing project proposed at historic 361 Hanover St. site
