Wright Avenue Plans Updated

The developer of the proposed Wright Avenue project will present a scaled down plan to the city's Historic District Commission that seeks to comply with the panel's height, mass and design requirements.

According to documents at the city's Planning Office, the updated plan and conceptual drawings submitted by developer Steve Kelm show a building block that is not as high as its predecessor. It also shows the upscale retail shops on the first level with parking in front and high-end condo units above.

The conceptual drawings created by Amoskeag Architectural Group also show that the proposed development's parking lot will face the proposed Memorial Bridge Veterans park that will be built between the new Scott Avenue approach for the new bridge.

According to the city Planning Department, Kelm is scheduled to go before the HDC on May 8. The Planning Board previously approved his site plan in March and Kelm said then that when he comes back before the HDC, he will ask the members to either vote for or against his plan.

Kelm, who grew up in Portsmouth and once lived on State Street, said then he is determined to push for a building design that will not be just another four story building with a flat roof. "I care about what I build and I want to build something nice, but you can't please everybody," he said.

City Principal Planner Nick Cracknell said the HDC's members want the developer to come back with a less tall building with an exterior facade that will not be as ornate as the one they originally proposed.

If approved by the HDC in May, Kelm's site plan would demolish the former Rosa's garage building and build a five-story, 9,138 building was unanimously approved. Kelm would then build a new upscale building that will house two retailers and up to 15 luxury units with some underground parking. He said previously he expects the building to be completed in 15 months and the units will range in size from 1,100 to 3,000 square feet.