EDA updates: 710 Lincoln sale, High Street demolitions, 934 environmental testing and lease OK for 1117 High Street

The Portsmouth Economic Development Authority provided multiple property updates May 20, including a closed disposition, demolition timelines, environmental findings and a short-term lease authorization.

710 Lincoln Street: Staff said the EDA closed on the disposition of roughly a three-quarter‑acre parcel on April 24. The buyer was identified in the briefing as Big Home East (transcript uses variations). Staff said the sale price was $30,000 and that net proceeds were “just under $29,500.” The buyer has plan approvals and permits and intends to develop a youth center and associated apartments, staff said.

High Street demolitions and site prep: Staff updated the EDA on demolition plans for buildings along High Street (including the property identified as 1020/1028 High Street). Preliminary zoning permit approval has been received and the demolition project will be issued to bid once paperwork is complete. Staff estimated the procurement and award timeline will likely make the physical demolition begin roughly within a 60‑day horizon from bidding; the contractor will try to shorten that timeline where feasible. Per the project engineer’s recommendation, staff said the demolitions will remove buildings to the foundation and leave slabs in place to help stormwater management and to reduce immediate site costs; contractors will be asked to grade and make slab edges flush for a tidier appearance.

1117 and 1121 High Street: Staff said roof replacement and interior “vanilla shell” work are in the permit/bid stage. Commissioners requested a committee to develop tenant-use options and community engagement; staff recommended starting with the larger buildings in the Lake District. Separately, the EDA later voted to authorize a short-term lease for 1117 High Street to be used for film-set development (the motion to authorize the chair and staff to prepare and execute the lease carried 7–0).

934 High Street environmental findings and due diligence: A Phase I environmental site assessment delivered to staff flagged a 550‑gallon automotive gasoline tank in the front area along High Street; the consultant reported no evidence the tank had been removed and classified it as a recognized environmental condition. The consultant recommended a Phase II assessment to investigate the tank, sample soils and produce a closure recommendation; the assessment also flagged suspected lead‑based paint requiring management consistent with local rules. Staff told the EDA the transaction’s due‑diligence deadline is June 3 and proposed a 30‑day extension to complete Phase II testing and pursue potential state funding for underground storage tank remediation. EDA members asked staff to pursue grants if eligible and to return with an updated schedule.

Other property matters: Staff described façade redesign options for 1220 High Street, presenting a revised front‑entrance design estimated in the $100,000–$125,000 range (with an additional $15,000 if a tenant later adds a drive‑through). That cost was presented as substantially lower than an earlier $350,000 concept; staff asked the board for consensus to pursue design development and construction documents.

Ending: EDA members directed staff to continue procurement steps for demolition and renovations, pursue environmental testing and any applicable remediation funding for 934 High Street, and to return to the board with timelines and contract/agreement documents. The board voted 7–0 to authorize a short-term lease of 1117 High Street for film-set use.