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Portsmouth EDA details RAISE-funded Chestnut–MLK streetscape: raised bike lanes, 10‑ft sidewalks and about 390 new parking spaces
Summary
Assistant city engineer CJ Bner told the EDA the city’s RAISE grant of $19.3 million will fund a Chestnut Street-to-MLK corridor overhaul that includes 10-ft sidewalks, raised bike lanes separated from traffic, parallel parking that would add roughly 390 spaces and a design schedule with 60% plans due mid‑August.
The Portsmouth Economic Development Authority heard a progress update on a RAISE grant-funded corridor project that will rebuild Chestnut Street through the MLK intersection and reconfigure the High Street corridor.
Assistant city engineer CJ Bner said the city was awarded a RAISE grant in the amount of $19.3 million and estimates the full project at about $24.5 million, with the city covering the difference. Staff described a consensus design that features 10-foot sidewalks on both sides, raised bike lanes at the same elevation as the sidewalk, buffers between bike lanes and travel lanes, parallel parking on both sides and a flush (non-raised) median option in places where roundabouts are not selected.
"What we'll have is sidewalks on both sides, 10‑ft sidewalks," Bner said, summarizing the design direction. He told the authority the parallel parking plan would add about 390 spaces along the corridor between Chestnut and MLK and that the project team is evaluating possible roundabouts at some intersections that may affect green space allocation.
The schedule provided to commissioners calls for 60%-design documents by mid‑August, a public hearing at the end of September, advertisement of the construction package by Oct. 27 and construction completion targeted for May 2030 to align with the RAISE grant performance period.
Commissioners asked several operational questions. Staff said the work will remain within the current right-of-way so no property takings are expected, and that existing storefront façades will remain intact where buildings are built to the right‑of‑way line. Sidewalk materials have not been decided; staff said the 60%-design will include a recommendation on whether to use brick, concrete or another stamped finish.
The project will replace and upgrade utilities and staff will install conduits to enable high‑speed internet through the corridor; on‑street electric vehicle charging was not included in the current scope, though commissioners asked staff to explore options. Bicycle racks and other required bicycle facilities will be provided; staff indicated bike parking will be available free of charge.
Mr. Bner said renderings and materials from the final public engagement session — including a slide deck, photographs and a project video — will be distributed to meeting attendees in the next few days. The 60% submission and the September public hearing were identified as the next public milestones.
The authority did not take a formal vote on the design at the June 16 meeting; staff committed to return to the EDA with the 60%-design and a public‑hearing summary.
