The future of Concord’s economic development lies in its gateways, Exits 13, 14 and 17.
Several major projects were proposed in 2019 that stand to permanently change the city’s economic outlook and appearance.
A housing and mixed-use cluster of buildings was proposed off Exit 13, highway exits throughout the city were reimagined, a major housing project downtown got nixed and a retail center off Exit 17, including a new supermarket – the city’s third Market Basket – was announced.
Of all those potential projects, it was the proposed expansion of Interstate 93 that could most significantly change the way the city functions.
That became clear when representatives from the New Hampshire Department of Transportation hosted a meeting in June to talk about the I-93 widening project this past June. At the time, DOT was proposing an expansion of I-93 to eight lanes through Concord, as well as installing several new ramps and eliminate the northbound on-ramp at Exit 14.
City Manager Tom Aspell said then that the plan was a “non-starter” for the city.
“It’s not something we’re willing to consider, and we’re willing to go to the end and fight it all the way,” he said. “If we have to go to court to fight it, we’ll go to court.”
Officials and residents, who are hoping to make Concord a destination city, were concerned the project focused too much on I-93’s function as a way through the city rather than the impact on the city itself. They want to use the expansion project as a way to better link downtown to the Merrimack River.
At a community forum in October, at-large councilor Nathan Fennessy said it’s important to get the community involved in visioning sessions for the expansion project moving forward.
“From my perspective, I want to make sure, number one, that however the project is done that it enhances and complements the work that we’ve done on Main Street … and it enhances our connection to the river,” he said.
“I want to make sure that it facilitates our ability to develop those areas like Storrs Street and Commercial Street, which I think are really the next areas of development,” he added.
One proposed project that almost came to be was the renovation of the former Department of Employment Security building on Main Street to include 125 apartment units, a parking garage and a restaurant.
Ultimately, in a 8-to-6 vote, the City Council decided against giving the developer the $3.5 million in financing through a special Sears Block tax district. To pass, two-thirds of the group – 10 people – would have needed to approve the plan. Six councilors voted in favor.
The developer was asking for $3.5 million from the city to split the $7 million increase in the estimated cost of the project since it was originally proposed. The project, when it was shot down, was expected to cost $30.4 million.
What’s next for the city-owned building will continue to be answered in 2020.
Concord also saw interest a little further south at Exit 13 this year.
In October, the city council approved an amendment to the zoning ordinance, altering the type of development that can occur on about 22 acres south of Manchester Street, on the east bank of the Merrimack River near Exit 13.
In the 1980s the site was home to Concord Drive-In Theater. These days it is almost entirely overgrown.
The change from an Open Space Residential designation to Gateway Performance for the area was requested by developers who have presented conceptual drawings for a large development that would include apartments, elderly housing, retail and commercial buildings. If the proposal goes ahead, it would be the first development of its kind in Concord, similar to some that are being built in Southern New Hampshire.
“I think that we are at the beginning stages of a potential gateway center to our city. Right now, it’s an old movie theater with some cracked pavement,” said Councilor Jennifer Kretovic. “I think this is really something that we should consider one stage at a time, to see what comes out of this.
And to the north, after years of conversation, it was finally announced that a Market Basket will be built off I-93’s Exit 17 in Penacook, a boon to residents who now have to drive to Concord to shop.
Construction of the new 80,000 square foot store could begin in 2020 with doors opening by 2021.