PORTSMOUTH – The City of Portsmouth Department of Public Works announced that the demolition and removal of the boiler house chimney at City Hall will begin after 6 p.m. on March 3, 2025. The process will take about seven working days to complete. The unused, 95-foot tall chimney has deteriorated significantly, with cracking and structural displacement leading to falling bricks and mortar. As a safety measure, the area underneath the chimney was cordoned off earlier this year. For this project, the City has hired Reneau Industries, a local contractor with experience in demolition.
 

The first 55 feet of the chimney will be removed by hand in 10-foot increments by pushing the rubble into its interior. Once the chimney height is below the roof line of the boiler house, the contractor will use a specialized excavator to demolish the remaining section.

In preparation for the demolition, the contractor will protect the gas main on the boiler building and cover the area with sand to contain any debris and protect the adjacent pavement. Additionally, a 100-foot buffer will be established in the parking lot to protect pedestrians and vehicles. The stairs along the boiler building from the City Hall Lower Lot will be closed for the duration of the project, and a safe travel way will be defined along the access road to City Hall.