Manchester Infill & Small Developments

very good dodge of a potential argument man, I thought this was going to devolve into a lowell thread
 
I posted that only to suggest that Lowell does, in fact, have some things that Manchester might want to learn from or copy.
 
Exciting Manchester news! What could it be? My guess is a mixed use development with a convention center.

From the Union Leader:

Mayor: Downtown project could add 400 jobs

By MARK HAYWARD
New Hampshire Union Leader
8 hours, 51 minutes ago

MANCHESTER ? Mayor Ted Gatsas and Manchester developer Dick Anagnost are expected to announce a downtown development project this afternoon that could mean 350 to 400 jobs, Gatsas said last night.

Gatsas would not discuss the project in detail last night. But a notice about the 1:30 p.m. announcement said the project calls for using the Rockwell Automation Inc.'s former Allen-Bradley plant on Elm Street.

Closed for the last several months, the plant sits on 10.7 acres downtown, the largest tract of underdeveloped land in the area. It's between Verizon Wireless Arena and Merchantsauto.com stadium.

"It will be an exciting story," Gatsas said about the announcement. "It's going to change the complexion of downtown."

He said the project could generate 350 to 400 jobs, but would not provide details.

Anagnost owns the property, and Rockwell's lease on the property runs until November, according to previous newspaper accounts.

Given its size, the property has been mentioned for several potential projects over the years.

Recently, Anagnost said it could host a casino if New Hampshire leaders allowed slots and casino gambling. It has also been discussed as a potential transportation nexus that could be used as a train station, bus station and park-and-ride lot.

Gatsas ruled out either suggestion.

The announcement is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at City Hall.
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Hmmmm...this is interesting....keep us posted on what the project is. I would have guessed a casino myself..but that's been ruled out....whatever it is, it sounds like an important development for Manchester
 
awesome! can't wait to hear what it is! Convention center makes perfect sense given the airport, but would it really create that many jobs? aren't they only used when there are conferences?

Anagnost is know primarily for housing projects--particularly affordable housing projects. I wonder if the jobs created will be those of construction instead of permanent jobs? How come Manchester can just "announce" a development project, but in other cities they have to sit through lengthy debates about whether people want them?

at any rate, the claim that it will change the complexion of downtown--i.e. its entire appearance--sounds promising. it cant be retail in this market, otherwise I would have suggested that. It cant be an art museum, because that already exists.

I predict a major mixed use housing project, which would be GREAT for downtown. Excited to see.
 
I just contacted the City's economic development department and learned that the project will be a Market Basket supermarket, the city's first grocery store downtown. Although not exciting, this is an important move in the right direction from an urban planning and community development perspective. Residents of Manchester's downtown won't have to leave for the burbs anymore, and downtown will become more attractive to others looking to reside close to other amenities.
 
well, it isnt the most exciting development, but this could definitely enhance the downtown area. They have a Shaw's in Boston's Back Bay, and it certainly fits the urban landscape. I guess it is all in the building's design.
 
I was going to ask what the proposed development was, but we already have our answer. I, for one, wished that it would have been a civic building, or something with some height. I am happy that there is a Market Basket going in on the other hand. I am wondering though, why such a large piece of land for just a Market Basket. At most, they should need 5 acres right? Even with a large parking lot, and enough room for trucks to load and unload.
 
Hopefully a portion of the site will be dedicated to mixed use, high density. I for one would love to see a few towers added to the skyline. I know they wont be anything impressive, but Manchvegas is due for some height addition. One can only hope.
 
Yes, it is about the form of the building, not necessarily the use. But, normally form follows function, and absent something like a form based code, which places like Miami have, and I Don't think Manchester has, you are going to get a sprawling parking lot and low density building. Again, this will be good for community development purposes, but isn't really exciting. At least this isn't really downtown, despite what the news says. In fact, I think the area was just recently included in an expansion of the downtown for tax purposes, but its not like its the center of activity of anything. Also, 10.7 acres is quite large for a supermarket, but then again there may be surrounding stores like a CVS, etc. that normally come up around supermarkets. Or a portion of the site may be left untouched.
 
Just a market basket? I hope there is something else other than that...
 
I've still never been to Manchester but have a good idea of how it is laid out thanks to google maps and streetview. Here is where the site is

mbasket.jpg


There's a story in the Union Leader about this today. Apparently they are just retrofitting the existing building:

The developers said they are analyzing the building to see how much new construction is needed, but hope to have the project before the Planning Board in July. They have slated the store opening eight months from now.
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It's great to reuse the structure, but there are certainly some great opportunities for development on this large lot. First of all, the large parking lot is directly along Elm St., which I hear is the heart of downtown. I would love to see something built up along the road. This truly appears to be a prime location, between the sporting venues and all. A few commentators on the Union Leader story mentioned building a transit hub in this spot, which seems ideal. So a grocery store is great but I hope there is more to come.
 
This is definitely something that Manchester doesn't need, there's a Stop n Shop about a five minute walk from there. The other projects that have been proposed for this spot were much more exciting, and probably would of had a longer lasting affect on the city than a Market Basket. This just seems like a project straight out of 1975, putting some larger sprawling store in the middle of a downtown. Before the arena was built in 01, there was a grocery store on that spot, along with drug stores etc, strip mall kind of stuff. They would of been better off building the Elliot Center here and putting the Market Basket where that is going up right now.
 
I have to agree that this is a big letdown. We already had a downtown plaza and I was happy to see it go when the Verizon was built in its place. What the map doesn't show is that the parking lot is not level with Elm Street. That section really needs development against the sidewalk to truly extend downtown. Right now it's like a canyon and even with stairs, it won't be anymore inviting. A supermarket with a mixed use development would have been great for the site, but not just a Market Basket. I'm hoping more is done with the site in the future, especially another addition to the skyline.
 
I was driving in downtown Manchester the other day and saw that there was a gap in buildings on Elm Street. I am curious. I am not sure which block it is on. Any information would be amazing.
 
I'm not sure if this is the same place you are referring to, but I always thought that the lack of density between City hall plaza and the other high rise on what I believe is the west side of elm was very odd. Two 20 story buildings with not much in between. The opposite side of the street has so much more continuity. But, it is shorter, too.
 
Patrick said:
I'm not sure if this is the same place you are referring to, but I always thought that the lack of density between City hall plaza and the other high rise on what I believe is the west side of elm was very odd. Two 20 story buildings with not much in between. The opposite side of the street has so much more continuity. But, it is shorter, too.
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It is on the same side as Margaritas.
 
On a different subject, does anyone know if there are any renderings of this proposed Market Basket? I am not happy at all that they are building this as it will only reinforce that the city of Manchester wants to keep the lower income folks in the city center and keep everyone else on the outskirts.
 
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