Posts Tagged as ‘Rebuilding Portsmouth’

August 6, 2011

Say Goodbye to The Memorial Bridge

It’s old news at this point, but the Memorial Bridge will never have vehicular traffics on its deck ever again.  It’s time to turn the page on the saga of the past several years, and while it will be painful for everyone that is used to enjoying the convenience it afforded, I look forward to seeing the process of the old one come down – and a new one get constructed in its place.  In just the few minutes I was here taking this image – I saw a slew of people riding bikes and enjoying a walk on its deck, while also having a quiet on the steel decking that nobody is used to. I will be documenting the process of its demise over the next year or so – as well as the growth of the new bridge from NH to ME.

December 11, 2010

Welcome to State Street | The Ribbon Cutting

The Who’s Who of Portsmouth as far as State Street Improvements are concerned can be seen below in the ceremonious Ribbon Cutting Ceremony held on Friday afternoon at 3pm at the intersection of Pleasant and State Streets.  Above, Mayor Tom Ferrini’s hands can be seen holding the grand improvement plans as signed by many of the folks involved…along with the ribbon.

Below, the City Manager (John Bohenko), Mayor Tom Ferrini, owner of Puttin’ on the Glitz Assiah Russel and Assistant Mayor Nancy Novelline-Clayburgh (one of the owners of Cava can be seen in the background) can all be seen enjoying the big moment.  I must say, it’s pretty cool and a relief to see this long in-the-works project come to its final phase.  There was an awesome turnout of people who shared the same sentiment, who came to celebrate. I’m very excited for the Portsmouth Art Exchange at 220 State Street, who has been very eager to see its sidewalks take shape – and where I have a good amount of work available for sale.  Stop in to see Jane and tell her I sent you – she’s a sweetheart.

Below, something a little different….the sun climbs over the hill at Fort Foster on the seacoast in Kittery, Maine.  I love this little tree and the bench that sit overlooking the waterfront. If my memory serves me correctly, the shot was taken with my Hasselblad Carl Zeiss 100mm lens…definitely a beauty.  Have a great weekend!

December 10, 2010

A Memorial to the Memorial Bridge

It’s close to the end for the Memorial Bridge – or so it seems.  It was announced this week that the bridge would be closed for 4-6 weeks for repair, or even indefinitely according to Foster’s. I don’t think this surprises anyone ’round these parts, but it’s sort of a sad moment. Things will get better and the bridge will eventually be replaced with either a very similar looking one, or a drastic departure if some of the initial design critics get their way. One thing is sure, this original lift span bridge with all of its character isn’t really safe for vehicles anymore. It’s going to be damn cool for photographers and pedestrians to enjoy its architecture and some steady decks for a while (you can’t get a sharp image with dozens of cars driving through).

December 4, 2010

Rejuvenation | State Street

As I promised earlier in the week, I’ll begin to feature the “evolved” look of State Street.  The sidewalks have been jazzed up with bricks all the way from the Memorial Bridge entrance and near Prescott Park down to the Pleasant Street intersection at The Rusty Hammer and all the way to my parking spot at 325 State Street.  Without question it’s a new look, complete with street lamps (all freshly adorned with pine wreaths for the holidays), sidewalk trees and nice bumpouts to moderate the flow of traffic – all which result in a handsome new look for the streetscape.  I hope all the merchants are feeling good and enjoy some peace and quiet after the long year everyone has had…and that 2011 will reap some of the benefits.  I almost can’t believe it’s been as long as it has, but also can’t believe how much has really been accomplished.  Now when are we going to bury those overhead powerlines?

November 30, 2010

The Red Door on State Street

Consider this a preview of a series I’ll be embarking on in the next week or so…in which I’ll detail the nearly completed State Street improvement project.  This instantly recognizable door some (or remarkably unrecognizable for others) is located on State Street towards the Memorial Bridge and Prescott Park.  I’ve always enjoyed this nondescript yet withered door, and loved the play of light/shadow on it in the early afternoon sunlight.

November 23, 2010

The Chef’s Table | State Street Update

State Street’s facelift continues.  While I was driving home and treating my car to the luxurious new pavement on State Street, I realized that the new street lights were actually lit!  Along with the new pavement and brick sidewalks (that are well on their way to being done), the city had turned on the street lamps on Thursday night.  After realizing the street had a whole new look (finally), I decided to stop and snap a couple photos to prove it.

It was after I stopped that I met Eddie Sargent, the Chef/Owner of The Chef’s Table.  Eddie was kind enough to get out of the way of what he thought was my shot (even though he wasn’t in it)…so I went over to say hello.  Turns out he had just installed the new sign, which looks great.  I loved the clean look of the new sidewalks and the granite stairs welcoming guests into the building, and the new sign was the icing on the cake.  Hopefully – in a few more weeks, we’ll get State Street back to enjoy for ourselves, free of delays, construction cones and dust clouds.  Below – see what a difference a day makes.  Both shots were taken around 1pm at lunchtime…

October 23, 2010

Chronicles of the Martingale Wharf

In today’s post we’ll feature two recent shots of the Martingale Wharf, the long awaited construction project currently underway on Bow Street on Portsmouth’s waterfront.  The building is finally getting its skin, with bricks being installed on the Bow Street facade…along with new windows and more inside that I can’t really see.  The good news is that we might actually have a streetscape on Bow St. like we used to in days gone by….a win for both locals and tourists.  I really dig the shot above – it feels very natural and realistic all at the same time.  Taken with the Zeiss Hasselblad 100mm….it seems to call out textures and lighting on objects that just seem to fall flat with other lenses (or maybe I’m just a bit crazy).  Below, the front of the building gets its new brick skin…