Wright Avenue Project to Seek HDC Nod Tonight

Nearly one month after the developers of the proposed 80 Wright Ave. project received some clear direction from city planners, they hope to win approval from the Historic District Commission tonight at City Hall.

Developer Stephen Kelm and his team are scheduled to bring their modified plans back to the panel when it meets at City Hall on Wednesday at 6 p.m. Whether or not they receive HDC approval is still unknown.

When the developer last went before the HDC for a work session on May 9, Jennifer Ramsey, of Somma Studios, LLC in Portsmouth, the project architect, said she was confident they would be able to meet the board's criteria.

The proposed height of the building was brought down and the design was modified to blend in more with the surrounding State Street area.

Ramsey said the new design removed the fifth floor and replaced it with the proposed penthouse. She said they also removed the tower structure that was originally proposed for the corner of the building on State Street and she believes that change may have helped the project turn the corner toward possible approval in the near future.

The conceptual drawings created by Amoskeag Architectural Group that were on file a the city Planning Department 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.

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's site plan calls for the demolition of 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.