Portsmouth EDA advances waterfront RFQ, clears path for affordable housing on Victory Boulevard

The Portsmouth Economic Development Authority on March 17 advanced several downtown development initiatives, moving the Crawford Bay waterfront solicitation toward selection and approving steps intended to clear legal and environmental barriers for new housing and renovations.

Staff said the RFQ for the Crawford Bay waterfront, issued March 4, attracted strong early interest. A March 16 pre-proposal conference was attended by about 61 participants; staff has posted the public engagement workshop results and survey responses on the project website and is accepting RFQ submissions through April 30 at 5 p.m. "It's a first-class package," staff member Brian said of the RFQ materials, and the evaluation panel will include two city council appointees, two EDA members (the chair and vice chair), the city manager and relevant city staff.

The board also approved a request to fund a Phase II environmental assessment for a downtown property (817–833 High Street). Staff presented a Phase I report that identified historical industrial uses nearby and recommended follow-up testing. The board authorized contracting with Stokes Environmental Associates for the Phase II work at a stated cost of $6,800 plus a modest contingency; the motion passed on a roll call vote of 6–0.

Commissioners heard a string of property updates across the Link District: demolition permits have been issued and pre-construction work is underway at 1028 High Street, with demolition expected to be complete by April 20 ahead of the May 9 Wall Street Mural Fest; renovation work at 1117–1121 High Street has a low bid of $946,740 and will be supported by a Port Host Community grant of $550,000 (roughly 50% of the project construction cost); and bids for a roof and renovation package at 1220 High Street are due April 14.

The board also announced a pending closing for 219 Pavilion Drive. Staff said the property is scheduled to convey on March 19 for $493,750 to the owner of the adjacent warehouse to support an expansion that will serve FredoLay/PepsiCo distribution in Hampton Roads.

On a separate formal motion the EDA adopted a resolution authorizing the conditional release or modification of certain development restrictions on parts of 3335 and 3345 Victory Boulevard to allow conveyance and residential development by Riptide 4 LLC and related entities. The resolution states the release is limited to what is necessary to permit residential use or financing and authorizes the chair, vice chair and secretary (or their designees) to execute documents implementing the release. The resolution took effect immediately after the 6–0 vote.

Board members discussed interim uses for cleared vacant lots — from temporary public art to pop-up recreation — to avoid blight while parcels are marketed to developers. Staff said it will explore low-cost activation options in coordination with marketing and public-art partners.

The EDA staff will report back at the April meeting with RFQ responses and summarized findings from environmental testing and property procurement steps. The Phase II environmental assessment and the Victory Boulevard resolution were both recorded as passed 6–0.