The next stage of the long-awaited redevelopment of the former Employment Security Building quietly advanced this week with a major milestone for the project just a month away.
Following many comments about the downtown building’s ugly appearance, the Concord Planning Board approved the John J. Flatley Company’s major site plan for demolishing the current structure and building 64 apartment units at 32-34 S. Main St., parcel.
Project plans include a six-story building with a fitness center, a ground-level parking garage, a pool and a pergola. Construction could be completed as soon as spring or summer of 2023.
The city first purchased the building from the state in 2014 for $1.575 million. The sale and development process since has proceeded in fits and starts. A previous deal with Dol-Soul Properties fell through, and last fall, the discovery of additional asbestos on the building’s exterior delayed the closing date with the Flatley Company, which is now set for May 31.
In all, Concord has poured $2.65 million into the property. After fees, grants and a final sale price of $350,000 from Flatley, the city’s net investment will be about $1.6 million.
Planning Board Chair Richard Woodfin said that usually, the board would expect more people to show up to a public hearing for a large multi-family development like this one.
“This type of project typically would bring in a few people, either neighbors or people with an ax to grind about getting rid of a historic, beautiful building,” he said, prompting laughter.
The DES building is known for its dated facade with a grid of blue and yellow panels interspersed with equal-sized windows.
By comparison, a heated driveway dispute between two East Concord neighbors took up one-third of the board’s meeting on Wednesday, leaving a nearly empty room for the presentation from the Flatley Company.
Attorney Ray D’Amante told the board that he hates the current building on South Main, which has been an eyesore in downtown Concord for as long as he can remember.
“I’m very glad to be part of the team that’s before you this evening,” D’Amante said. “I’ll be even happier when that first ball hits the side of that building.”
The board granted waivers for a traffic study requirement and a slightly steeper driveway grade.
Annual property taxes for the redeveloped site could bring in between $200,000 to $257,000 a year, using the 2021 city tax rate. Concord has estimated that the assessed value of the site would be between $8 million and $10.24 million.
Those tax dollars will flow into the Sears Block Tax Increment Finance District to pay down debt before they are released to the General Fund. A tax increment district, or TIF district, is a tool that municipalities like Concord use to encourage economic development within a particular area by paying for infrastructure costs.
Planning Board Vice Chair Carol Foss asked the Flatley team about the lack of playgrounds in the complex’s outdoor spaces.
“I don’t see any accommodations for children,” Foss said.
Doug Richardson, vice president of acquisitions and planning for the Flatley Company, said that in the four other Flatley properties in New Hampshire, kids have made up only 4% to 5% of occupants.
“The primary residents who come to a place like this are usually young professionals and empty-nesters,” Richardson said.
Foss said that even a few children might benefit from a swing set.
On Wednesday, the board also approved a multi-colored light display on the rooftop of Hotel Concord, where previously only one color could be illuminated at once. Currently, the top of the building is lit up in blue and yellow lights at night in support of Ukraine, which Senior Planner Sam Durfee said was a special exception.
Capital Commons performed a trial run on Dec. 24 with green and red lights. Some of the ideas for light schemes included red, white and blue lights for the Fourth of July and rainbow colors for Pride Month.