After nearly two years of planning and delays, construction is now underway on Portsmouth’s long-anticipated riverfront development. The $34 million project recently cleared a significant hurdle, allowing work to begin just weeks ago.
The project secured the necessary permits from the Army Corps of Engineers before construction moved forward.
“I know the contractor has plans in place that if have to work two shifts a day. They are going to push this thing as hard as they can push,” Portsmouth City Manager Sam Sutherland said. “We actually even revised some of the project to bring it out of what they call the ordinary high-water mark to alleviate some of the reviews they had to do.”
From across the Ohio River, the scale of the development is already visible.
The cleared land will eventually become a 4,000-seat amphitheater. Crews are also working at Alexandria Point, where plans include building an overlook.
The project also includes upgrades to the campground, though residents will need to wait several months before regaining access to the area.
“We camp down here. We use the boat docks and will not have access to either one of those this year,” lifelong Portsmouth resident Ted Miller said. “It bothers me a little bit but as long as we get a nice upgrade everything will be good.”
As construction progresses, city leaders view the development as a major economic boost for the region.
Officials expect to complete the project by the end of October.