Medical building may transform to housing in Somersworth

SOMERSWORTH — A vacant High Street office building may soon be transformed into a residential property.

The city's Zoning Board of Adjustment approved a change of use request for the former Seacoast RediCare building Wednesday night.

Marc Smith, of 396 High Street LLC in Portsmouth, said his company has the 396 High St. property under a conditional contract, and plans to purchase it if it gets the approvals needed for conversion to residential use.

How many housing units are planned?

Michelle Mears, the city's director of planning and community development, said the application calls for the creation of 14 units. She said the next step is the submission of a site plan application to the Planning Board.

"The building, the former Seacoast RediCare has been vacant for a long time," said Mears. "The property is unique, being a former medical building. They will need to conform to city zoning ordinances or seek waivers where they cannot."

HCA Healthcare closed Seacoast Redicare an occupational care facility associated with Frisbie Memorial Hospital in 2021.

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There is still a 30-day appeal process if anyone wants to object to the change," Mears said. "After that, the process can move to the next step."

Smith said they have been keeping an eye on the property.

"We like the location and thinks it lends itself to this adaptive use," he said. "The broker for the property was not getting a lot of inquiries so approached them with the idea. We are under contract to buy the property if it can pass the city requirements."

The property is currently owned FMH Health Services in Nashville, Tennessee. Smith said it has been vacant since 2021.

"We have not submitted the site plan application, but I plan on that happening soon," said Smith.

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Medical building may transform to housing in Somersworth