Demolition plan for Daily Times building in Portsmouth now accelerated
PORTSMOUTH – The owner of the historic but fire-damaged building at 278 State Street has filed an application with the city for a demolition permit, according to Shanti Wolph, the city’s chief building inspector.
The request came a few weeks after the city’s Historic District Commission granted developer and building owner Peter Floros permission to demolish the building, known as the 1850 Daily Times Building.
A major fire in April 2017 damaged several buildings in the downtown historic district, destroyed the State Street Saloon, and severely damaged the building at 278 State St.
The building, which is now completely fenced off, has been empty since the fire. A section of State Street near the building remains closed.
Before issuing a demolition permit, “city staff will meet with the demolition contractor to review the proposed plan and ensure all safety concerns are addressed,” Wolph said Thursday.
“We will also communicate the demolition plan to the public, including the date and time,” he said. “I expect the process to be completed in the next month or so.”
How long will the demolition of the Daily Times building take?
According to the plan submitted to the city, Floros hired Renaud Industries of Portsmouth to carry out the demolition.
“The scope of work includes the demolition of the five-story building located at 278 State Street in Portsmouth … as far as possible down to the basement level of the building,” the company explained in its demolition plan. “Specifically, all building structures above the first floor, including the ground floor and foundation below grade, are to be demolished. This demolition work is to include both the exterior and interior of the building.”
The company stated in its plan that it proposes to begin the “initial demolition” of the building on a Monday evening and “be completed by 6 a.m. the next morning, Tuesday.”
“We propose closing the intersection of State Street and Pleasant Street at 11 p.m. to begin demolition at midnight,” company officials said.
The road is scheduled to be reopened and cleared by 6 a.m. on Tuesday morning.
“There will be temporary lighting at all evening events. The demolition of the building structure will be carried out systematically from top to bottom,” company representatives explained.
Why did it take so long for the demolition to be approved?
Floros had repeatedly asked the HDC for permission to demolish the building because reconstruction was not economically feasible due to the damage and the risk of collapse.
Until its most recent vote in early August, the HDC had refused to give its approval.
City officials had previously accused Floros of “demolition through neglect.”
The city recently erected barricades around the building, blocking one lane of State Street and an adjacent sidewalk, out of an “abundance of caution” after receiving a report from the building owner’s engineer indicating the potential for a collapse hazard.
Attorney John Kuzinevich, who represents Floros, said, “Of course, everyone on Mr. Floros’ team looks forward to working with the HDC and the Board of Adjustment as needed to bring this project to fruition, which is entirely consistent with the historic district and will greatly enhance the area.”
“He is also happy that all safety concerns will soon be resolved,” Kuzinevich said. “Personally, I am happy that the dispute with the city is finally over.”
What is being built on the site?
The attorney previously described Floros’ redevelopment plan as a four-story mixed-use building, with commercial or retail space on the ground floor and apartments above.”
The new building could include up to 17 apartments or condominiums, he said.
