City staff and a consultant team told the Portsmouth Boards & Commissions meeting they plan to begin a utility replacement project in the Vaughan Mall this fall and presented a long-term streetscape concept that would create a flexible public "canvas" for rotating artworks, improved lighting and upgraded paving.

Dave (Global Works) and consultant Terrence described a three-part design approach they called "floor, ceiling and wall": reworked paving, catenary lighting and a proposed glass-panel wall behind the stage that could serve as an illuminated backdrop and an art opportunity. Terrence said the wall could be made of colored architectural panels that "transition" across the span to produce a spectrum effect; the team suggested that panels would sit on a metal frame with an air gap beneath to discourage encampment and to allow light and airflow.

City engineer Dan Rochehead said utilities are the immediate priority. He told the committee the construction contractor is scheduled to start on or about Sept. 1 and that the work will include replacing a collapsing sewer line, replacing a water main that was not replaced in 1972 and upsizing drains to handle modern storm flows. He said the gas line has already been replaced. The team plans to protect significant trees (including a honey locust at the Congress Street head of Vaughan Mall) and to remove trees in the central planter that conflict with the utility work.

Consultants said the contractor bid is already out and the utility work is expected to run through the fall, with a target to substantially complete by mid-December so the corridor is usable for the holiday season. The presentation noted the hardscape elements — permanent stone paving, pergola/metal shade structures and art infrastructure such as poles for catenary lights and projection equipment — will follow in a later phase, possibly the next spring or the following fall, to allow settlement and staging of materials.

The design team emphasized creating flexible infrastructure rather than over-programming the space. Terrence proposed three metal pergola sculptures for shade near the stage and described a lighting plan based on catenary cables suspended between vertical poles (rather than attaching fixtures to private buildings). He said the poles would also provide sites for projection systems and other rotating art installations.

Nancy and other community members said a local fund of roughly $10,000 set aside for an inclusive LGBTQ public art project could be integrated into the Vaughan Mall work. Nancy told the committee stakeholders convened by the city's public art group prefer an enduring, site-appropriate expression rather than a literal rainbow crosswalk; the consultants agreed the colored glass wall concept could reflect the community contribution without being a literal rainbow.

Committee members discussed implementation timing and the need to manage merchant impacts during construction. One city official advised the group that ordinances may be required for some projection/attachment elements and that the project team will pursue the public process this summer and fall in advance of construction.

No formal vote occurred; the committee asked staff and the design team to continue public outreach, coordinate with Vaughan Mall merchants, refine foundation and tree-protection details and return with revised drawings for further review.