Manchester Infill & Small Developments

Hopefully that spurs some development in that immediate area -- there's an empty lot on the corner of Chestnut and Pearl that's an eyesore.

I do have to wonder about that 21,000 student number though...
 
SteveB85 said:
2 10 story towers planned for Manchester college students:

http://www.unionleader.com/article/20130528/NEWS02/130529307
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That would be huge--having some student housing downtown, especially on this scale, would really transform the feel of the area. I saw last year that the president of SNHU said that ideally he'd like to see some student housing downtown, but that the city would need to offer better (more frequent and longer hours) bus service between downtown and the campus. It's a perfect example of how the city could invest a bit in better infrastructure, including targeting a few bus routes for longer/more frequent service, could lead to more development. The Pearl Street lot isn't quite an eyesore since it's hidden from Elm & Bridge, but it's a huge waste of space, and filling it with student housing will be a much better use for the area.

It's especially good news on top of the recent growth in apartments in general downtown, including the Lofts at Mill No. 1 (at the base of Market Street) opening a few months back, and apartments going into Mill West just across the Bridge Street bridge. Restaurants and bars downtown are pretty packed, and downtown Manchester is definitely a dining/nightlife destination as well as the financial/business center for the state, but there need to be more residents downtown to give it a 24/7 vibe, and to support more retail.

Hik0 said:
Hopefully that spurs some development in that immediate area -- there's an empty lot on the corner of Chestnut and Pearl that's an eyesore.

I do have to wonder about that 21,000 student number though...
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I think that number includes students at St. Anselm and SNHU, both of which are almost entirely outside the city, but on the city line and use a Manchester address. It probably also includes the mostly commuter students at UNH-Manchester, MCPHS, MCC and a handful of others, as well as NHIA, which as far as I know is currently the only college with residences downtown. Even if there aren't 21,000 traditional college students in Manchester, there are very many scattered around the city, and offering them some downtown housing will definitely be a win-win for the city and the colleges. Now, the city needs to offer direct, frequent and late night bus routes to St. A's (maybe through Rimmon Heights) and SNHU (through the North End).
 
Cool. It is sad to see when there is a HUGE paved parking lot like that and yet the city still has parking issues. Something like this that also provide public parking spaces is a win win win win. More parking, more business, at the expense of developers (hopefully who do well with this) and I would assume it will look nicer in the end and at least some sort of streetscaping will be done around there as if I was a student there, I would hate walking around shitty streets.
 
MonopolyBag said:
Cool. It is sad to see when there is a HUGE paved parking lot like that and yet the city still has parking issues. Something like this that also provide public parking spaces is a win win win win. More parking, more business, at the expense of developers (hopefully who do well with this) and I would assume it will look nicer in the end and at least some sort of streetscaping will be done around there as if I was a student there, I would hate walking around shitty streets.
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I agree, and it always bugs me when I hear people complain about parking in downtown Manchester. There's plenty of parking, as long as people can walk a little bit. Of course, it's tougher during the weekday, when downtown really is pretty packed with professionals and workers, but I never get it when people complain about parking downtown, and then go to the mall where they're parking just as far away from their destination inside.

That's why I think the Green DASH is such a great idea, even though it will take a long time to get people to change their habits and get decently high ridership. But providing a transit shuttle throughout downtown allows people to park anywhere, then easily and reliably hop on a ride (that comes every 10 minutes during peak hours, which is pretty impressive) to wherever they're going. Downtown Manchester doesn't really have a parking problem: it has a perception problem: people don't see a spot in front of their destination, and they think there's no parking. But if you go a few blocks in, or if you use a garage (which there should be more of to replace surface parking), then there's really no issue. And when the city offers a free ride to get around downtown, then there's really no issue. I wish the buses looked more like typical city buses, which I think people recognize a bit better, rather the truck front, and I wish the shuttle ran at least into the later evening on Friday nights and maybe even on Saturday nights as well, but again, it's a perception problem.

Sorry for that rant! So the idea of replacing a huge surface parking lot with student housing, probably a bit of retail (though it will have to be either a draw or targeted to residents given that the area is hidden a block back from Elm & Bridge) and a parking garage represents a huge improvement for the city in so many respects.

Developer has basic proposal for block of Elm Street across from Market Basket
As a side note, there was an article Wednesday in the UL about a developer's proposal for some of the buildings across from Market Basket between Auburn & Grove Streets along Elm Street. The article was very short on details and unfortunately the proposal doesn't include replacing the car dealership at the corner of Elm & Auburn, but it sounds interesting. The developer is asking to close off the one-block long cross-street Summer St as well as the alley between Elm & Willow Street for that block, which could mean that they're thinking of something big there. I just hope, however, that that doesn't mean that they're planning to replace street-fronting buildings with a setback strip mall or something. Ideally, I'd like to see the old warehouses on the block fixed up and reused, but there are nicer buildings in that area, and if they're replaced by something big, urban and appropriate for the area, this could really help extend the downtown area.
 
The Union Leader is reporting on a study recommending a 500-car parking garage for the Millyard on the city-owned Bedford Street parking lot. This is the same site that could also possibly be used as a transit center, including a train station, MTA bus hub, intercity bus station and a park-and-ride garage. The study also specifically mentions that the City could work with a private developer to build apartments, condors or a hotel on top of the garage, which could add a new tower to the downtown skyline. The combination of a transit center, parking garage and hotel/apartments on this site could be very exciting.
 
Are there any pics of the proposed 10 story towers or the large parking garage? Nice to see some big developments proposed in this thread.
 
Haven't seen this posted here, but according to their meeting minutes last month, Manchester Moves will replace the old rail trestle over the Piscataquog river this fall. They feel good enough to hang banners on the trail so hopefully this is a sure thing.

This will link the Piscataquog trail with the Goffstown Rail trail and eliminate the need to undertake a rather steep climb up to the Pinard St. bridge and find the rest of the trail behind an apartment complex on the other side of the river.

Also of note, they've also revised their time frame for continuing work on the South Manchester trail, with construction continuing in summer 2014

They don't seem to have posted any minutes/news to their site other than the meeting agenda, so their facebook has the information.
 
At the rate the bike trails, paths, and non existent lanes are moving in Manchester, I do not see getting my hopes up to have any complete network in my life time. It is not only Manchester, but southern NH in general.
 
There was some mixed news out of the Board of Aldermen meeting last night. Ted Gatsas vetoed the aldermen's approval of the existing offer for the Pearl St. parking lot from VMD Companies. Apparently two other developers have expressed interest in the property and it will now go out to bid. Hopefully the process doesn't drag on too long.

In more favorable news, Anthem Blue Cross will be moving its headquarters to the former Bank of America building on the corner of Elm and Bridge. Always a good sign to see a large employer move to downtown!
 
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Yea I'd like to see these 10 story college building proposals in Manchester. I thought SNHU was in Hooksett though
 
SNHU is right on the Hooksett/Manchester line and is only about a 10-15 minute drive from the Pearl St. site (I think SNHU runs downtown shuttles as well). I'm assuming they, NHIA, and *maybe* St. Anselm would be providing most of potential residents. SNHU's president has spoken on record about students' desire to live closer to downtown, but I wonder if they could fill up a 1,200 person tower.
 
Hik0 said:
There was some mixed news out of the Board of Aldermen meeting last night. Ted Gatsas vetoed the aldermen's approval of the existing offer for the Pearl St. parking lot from VMD Companies. Apparently two other developers have expressed interest in the property and it will now go out to bid. Hopefully the process doesn't drag on too long.

In more favorable news, Anthem Blue Cross will be moving its headquarters to the former Bank of America building on the corner of Elm and Bridge. Always a good sign to see a large employer move to downtown!
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I'm disappointed that the mayor vetoed selling the land to VMD, but I'm hopefully that this doesn't represent a setback for development on the Pearl Street lot, or worse yet: another high profile property surrendered by the mayor for some suburban-appropriate development. The fact that a number of other developers expressed interest in building student housing on the lot, however, makes me optimistic both about the demand for such housing downtown, and that the City might write an RFP specifically for student housing on the lot. Some other mix of uses would be fine, but another big box store or parking lot there would be a huge loss.

In my opinion, Mayor Gatsas has been all too eager to accept anything a developer proposes for too many high profile sites. From the Elm Street Market Basket to a one-story pharmacy at Rivers Edge to various proposals for Granite Street, in the past few years we've lost a lot of sites that could have had a huge impact on future urban development, because the City under the mayor's guidance has both failed to update its zoning to be more urban-appropriate and been too willing to bend to developer's proposals. If the same fate befalls the Pearl Street lot, it would be a tragedy for the city. And if the same fate befalls the Pearl Street lot when an excellent and exciting proposal was already on the table, it will also be a travesty.

Whether it's allowing land to be underused at the moment rather than holding out for more suitable uses in the future, or turning down a very promising idea in favor of an unknown, the City and the mayor have too often looked for the immediate gain rather than long-term impacts. Sure, it's great to have a downtown supermarket rather than an empty parcel, but was it worth forfeiting the possible site of a future multi-modal transit center and transit-oriented development? And sure, anther developer offered $300k more than the $900 VMD offered for the Pearl Street lot, but is $300 worth it if putting it out to bid means the city loses out downtown student housing? In both cases, the projects that were not built would have had much larger impacts in the local economy (and the property tax base), but the City opted for the short-term gain. I really hope that that is not the case with Pearl Street.

As for Anthem moving downtown, that is definitely good news. It shows that the interest is still strong among major employers to move from the suburbs to the heart of the city, and having workers downtown will definitely positively impact local businesses and restaurants there. I just hope it doesn't mean my dad will lose his favorite parking spot in the garage for when he goes to the Wild Rover.
 
Between UNH Manchester, NHIA, SNHU, and St. Anslem, there is plenty of demand for student housing. Also, more housing will allow for greater growth of the colleges. Even if from day one all the apartments are not occupied, it will allow for more to come further and live in the city near the college.

And there are other smaller schools too in the area. The biggest problem would be shuttles and buses.

Anthem is moving downtown, they will occupy the first three floors of the old BoA building. No idea about parking. I care for aquariums in Anthem right now in Goffs Falls. I may be losing that job though if they do not decide to get a new aquarium. I see the move good though. However now there is a huge building looking to be occupied in Goffs Falls. But on a good note, I did lease a building in Manchester and have been working on opening an aquarium store there. Doors open mid Sept. / early Oct. 45 Blaine St. is the address. The old Fabric Fix building.

Also, Stop and Shop is closing all locations in NH. More vacant buildings on S. Willow.
 
Anyone know what is happening on elm st near Paul's Executive Auto?
 
MonopolyBag said:
Anthem is moving downtown, they will occupy the first three floors of the old BoA building. No idea about parking. I care for aquariums in Anthem right now in Goffs Falls. I may be losing that job though if they do not decide to get a new aquarium. I see the move good though. However now there is a huge building looking to be occupied in Goffs Falls. But on a good note, I did lease a building in Manchester and have been working on opening an aquarium store there. Doors open mid Sept. / early Oct. 45 Blaine St. is the address. The old Fabric Fix building.

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Cool!
 
M. Brown. Come and visit. I will post info here once open or know a date.

Anagnost owns that land, demolished some buildings, and I assume is moving forward on the NH Liquor store. It is a good thing too, I don't think Manchester has any NH liquor stores yet. Oh wait, never mind. (sarcastic)

The concept I saw was a car oriented, New England stile medium sized retail store. Not the best yet not the worst development for that area.

Assuming there is still diversity and things stay compact, it is not horrible, however it would have been nice to have some street side development with multi-tenant use.

The Apt. building right near the new Elliot pharmacy looks like someone cleaned it up. The new Easter seals renovated that abandoned motel across the street from the Elliot. Alibaba, an ethnic food marketplace is taking over the old Yamaha vacant glass building on Second Street. Manchester Mill Music now is in the Van Otis building. The gas station is no longer vacant next to the Elliot by rivers edge. The Apple B plaza on Second Street now has that open space on the end where i think Tadeshis was. The Staples and Hobby Lobby plaza on S. Willow has a new building going up next to the Buffet. The hotel on Second Street near Exit 4 is getting a new facade. The park with Elliot at Rivers edge still doesn't exist (wtf). The bridge is going to be built connecting Goffstown to Manch. walking path. Some new Cafes and Shops on Elm St. The new Bank at the North tip of S. Willow street is open and complete. And St. Mary's new HQ is open and old one is gone. Macy's is getting work done in Bedford. New offices (I think) on S. River Rd behind the new Medical building.

Things are moving, just nothing exciting. This is all that I know off the top of my head. There was a lot of talk about the Southern end of Elm development, sale of buildings, tenants moving, etc. I was looking to open up my aquarium store there originally. Didn't happen though. Anagnost has a hand in many of the deals.

Of yeah, and Stop and Shop and I think even Shaws is closing Manchester locations.
 
MonopolyBag said:
M. Brown. Come and visit. I will post info here once open or know a date.

Anagnost owns that land, demolished some buildings, and I assume is moving forward on the NH Liquor store. It is a good thing too, I don't think Manchester has any NH liquor stores yet. Oh wait, never mind. (sarcastic)

The concept I saw was a car oriented, New England stile medium sized retail store. Not the best yet not the worst development for that area.

Assuming there is still diversity and things stay compact, it is not horrible, however it would have been nice to have some street side development with multi-tenant use.

The Apt. building right near the new Elliot pharmacy looks like someone cleaned it up. The new Easter seals renovated that abandoned motel across the street from the Elliot. Alibaba, an ethnic food marketplace is taking over the old Yamaha vacant glass building on Second Street. Manchester Mill Music now is in the Van Otis building. The gas station is no longer vacant next to the Elliot by rivers edge. The Apple B plaza on Second Street now has that open space on the end where i think Tadeshis was. The Staples and Hobby Lobby plaza on S. Willow has a new building going up next to the Buffet. The hotel on Second Street near Exit 4 is getting a new facade. The park with Elliot at Rivers edge still doesn't exist (wtf). The bridge is going to be built connecting Goffstown to Manch. walking path. Some new Cafes and Shops on Elm St. The new Bank at the North tip of S. Willow street is open and complete. And St. Mary's new HQ is open and old one is gone. Macy's is getting work done in Bedford. New offices (I think) on S. River Rd behind the new Medical building.

Things are moving, just nothing exciting. This is all that I know off the top of my head. There was a lot of talk about the Southern end of Elm development, sale of buildings, tenants moving, etc. I was looking to open up my aquarium store there originally. Didn't happen though. Anagnost has a hand in many of the deals.

Of yeah, and Stop and Shop and I think even Shaws is closing Manchester locations.
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I see much of this stuff going on but didn't really know anything about it. Where do you get all this info? BTW The bridge you were talking about between manch and goffstown...is that just being rebuilt to handle pedestrians or is there a new bridge that I don't know about?
 
It's the old rail trestle over the Piscataquog, not the Pinard St. bridge. It would link up the Piscataquog and Goffstown rail trails and be exclusively for bike/ped use.

In other news, Giorgio's has proposed building another location of their restaurant chain, complete with a "function room" on the currently vacant corner of Granite and Second streets. The other locations are typical suburban restaurants (parking lots galore), so I hold out little hope that this one will be any different.
 
Yeah, Giorgio's restaurant, which would attract people, probably would not be a good development, unless it was a street side building with tenants above. i doubt that would happen though.

I am not sure if they are completely rebuilding the bridge though. They probably are, it looks fairly sketchy and I think is all wooden. I may be wrong though.

I get all the info from just aimlessly driving around at times and I have invested interest in the city since I am opening a business there. I have talked with many store owners etc. and have worked with my real estate agent who works Manchester.

But much of the "info" I have is simple observation and I do not know much about it. Heck, FrankLloydMike is from Cambridge and knows so much about Manch. At least I am from NH and work in Manchester.
 
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