Portsmouth staff outline Vaughan Mall utility repairs, propose glass wall, lights and rotating public art

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…