State Street Reconstruction

Ironwood Design Group provided complete design services, from public outreach to construction drawings, for the reconstruction of historic State Street in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The project included brick paving, attractive streetscape amenities, and street trees installed using suspended soil systems protecting tree root zones and collecting and treating stormwater. In 2015 the project received a Plan NH Outstanding Merit Award for exemplifying Plan NH’s mission to promote Smart Growth principles and excellence in sustainable planning, design and development of the built environment. The design team received honorary recognition from the American Society of Civil Engineers New Hampshire Section for its use of innovative stormwater management elements for this project.

In collaboration with other members of the design team, Ironwood’s initial concern was to understand the needs and desires of the community for State Street, which were determined using a context sensitive solutions process. Once the public issues were understood, a project master plan was developed that embraced green urbanism principles and incorporated place-making elements, traffic calming measures, and streetscape enhancements. The City Council unanimously approved funding for the entire project, in part due to the public design process and the consensus-driven master plan that captured the essence of Portsmouth’s heritage and culture.