What to expect as Daily Times building is demolished in Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH — The demolition of the historic, fire-damaged former Daily Times Building on State Street is scheduled to take place starting at about 11:30 p.m., on Monday, Sept. 30, according to city officials.

The property owner, Peter Floros, had long argued the building needed to be taken down for safety reasons, and has unveiled plans to redevelop the site once the structure is razed.

The intersection of State Street and Pleasant Street will be temporarily closed starting at 11 p.m. Monday so the demolition can occur, city officials said Tuesday.

A major downtown fire in April 2017 damaged several buildings in the city’s historic district, destroying the State Street Saloon, and badly damaging the Daily Times building at 278 State St., which has been vacant since the fire and is now totally fenced off.

City officials anticipate that the roadway will be cleared and reopened by 6 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1, according to a press release.

Temporary lighting will be in place for all of the demolition work overnight, city officials said.

The demolition of the 1850 Daily Times building “will be performed systematically from the top of the building to the bottom, using two track excavators, one with a 60-foot high-reach grapple,” according to the city.

During demolition, spotters with radio communication will be positioned at all four corners of the closed-off area adjacent to the property, city officials explained.

After the demolition, construction debris will be consolidated starting Wednesday.

Generators will supply power to the abutting properties during demolition, according to the city’s announcement.

Demolition was in dispute until city historic panel relented

Floros filed a demolition permit with the city in August to take the building down.

That submission came a couple of weeks after the city's Historic District Commission changed its previous position and voted to allow Floros to raze the historic structure. The HDC in 2023 won a court ruling over Floros, upholding its ruling the building could not be razed.

City officials had previously accused Floros of " demolition by neglect ." The city in July of this year hired an engineer to inspect the building, finding damage that was "beyond repair."

Renaud Industries of Portsmouth is the contractor hired by Floros to conduct the demolition, according to the plan it filed with the city.

“The scope of work includes demolition of the five-story structure located at 278 State St. Portsmouth … down to the basement floor of the property where possible,” the company said in its demolition plan. “Specifically, all building structures above the first floor including the first floor and foundation below grade is to be demolished. This demolition work is to include both the exterior and interior of the building.”

Floros had repeatedly sought the HDC’s permission to take the building down, saying it couldn’t be redeveloped in an economically feasible way because of the damage it suffered and its risk of collapse. Until its most recent vote in early August, the HDC had declined to grant permission.

New development to replace Daily Times building

Attorney John Kuzinevich, who represents Floros, said “obviously everyone on Mr. Floros’ team is excited to be working with the HDC and the Board of Adjustment as needed to be able to build this project that is fully consistent with the historic district and will just improve the area tremendously.”

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The attorney has previously described Floros’ redevelopment plan as a four-story mixed-use building with commercial or retail on the first floor and housing above.”

The housing could feature as many as 17 apartments or condos, he said.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: What to expect as Daily Times building is demolished in Portsmouth