EXETER — The Gateway to Exeter, which will bring 224 housing units to Epping Road, is set to break ground this summer, while a project to transform the old Ioka theater into a mixed-use building with condos is nearing completion.
Darren Winham, Exeter’s economic development director, recently gave the town's Select Board an update on ongoing and future development projects in town.
Here are eight takeaways from Winham's update:
Gateway at Exeter construction set to start this summer
The Epping Road corridor, just off Route 101, has seen an uptick in developments, both big and small, following the town’s decision to turn a portion of it into a tax increment financing district in 2015.
Following a couple of years of delay due to extensive site work coupled with an increase in construction cost, Winham said construction for the Gateway at Exeter is slated to start this summer. The approximately $80 million project consists of 224 housing units and a 50,000-square-foot commercial building on 17 acres of land.
Developer Tom Monahan previously said the project would take about 18 months to complete once started.
Monahan also owns 22-24 Continental Drive, located adjacent to GourmetGiftBaskets. The approximately 42 acres, Winham said, is currently being eyed by a company for a 300,000- to 500,000-square-foot building.
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Brewery ‘still interested’ in Epping Road location amid legal battle
The fate of a potential brewing company coming into the area on 18 acres of property owned by Scott Carlisle, which abuts the Ray Farm property, lies on the outcome of the lawsuit over an access road.
However, Winham said the brewery is “still very much interested in the property.”
“If we can make things work out and build a road, they’re good to go,” he added.
120-plus apartments and more pitched in Exeter
North Hampton developer Green & Company recently went before the town’s Planning Board for a design review to convert a 7-acre space at 76 Portsmouth Ave. into a mixed-use development.
The plan calls for constructing three four-story buildings with 121 two-bedroom apartment units, converting the existing Federated Auto Parts structure into a 4,680-square-foot commercial space, and constructing a triplex (a single structure with three housing units) at the rear end of the lot on Haven Lane.
Green and Co.'s proposal was made possible following town voters’ overwhelming approval to expand the mixed-use neighborhood development zone to Portsmouth Avenue, from Green Hill Road (where Walgreens is located) to the Exeter-Stratham town line. While commercial businesses were allowed in the area, housing previously was not.
However, the project received backlash from residents in the area who cited that it would turn “quaint” Exeter into a “city.”
Ioka construction nears the finishing line
A project to convert the old Ioka theater into a mixed-use building is nearing the finish line.
The Ioka building, located at 55 Water Street, was purchased by developers David Cowie and Jay Caswell in 2020 after it had been dormant since 2008. The new Ioka will feature a speakeasy-style restaurant in the basement, two retail spaces on the street level, and eight units of condos above.
Cowie also purchased the space next door at 45 Water Street, which formerly housed Travel & Nature, citing its “essential” role in the restoration of the Ioka. The two-story building is also being converted into a mixed-use space with two residential units on top and a retail space on the street level.
Joe Stagnone, communications manager for the project, said the reason the project, which began in 2021, has taken so long is because it's a restoration project and not a new build.
“We’re in the fourth quarter," he said. "I can’t tell you when the fourth quarter will end, I can’t tell you if it’ll go into overtime, things happen, but we’re making steady progress.”
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'Massive' apartment building pitched in Exeter
Massachusetts-based developer Hajjar Management went before the town's Historic Commission earlier this year for a preliminary discussion to convert the current Citizens Bank ATM property at 11 Front Street into a five-story apartment building.
Paul Mahoney, representing the applicant, told the commission the plan calls for building a 56-foot 44-unit building with retail on the first floor and parking underneath. The project raised multiple concerns from town officials and residents, citing the “massive” building would “dwarf” the town hall.
Winham said Hajjar Management already owns the lot. If the project could stay below the 35-foot height limit and provide the minimum parking required without needing any variances, Winham said he believes the developer would be able to move forward with the project.
More development:Exeter 120-plus apartment project faces opposition
MVSB opens new full-service bank in Exeter
Meredith Village Savings Bank is opening its newest banking office at 3 Meeting Place Drive in Exeter.
The branch is the bank’s 14th location across the Greater Lakes and Seacoast regions of New Hampshire, with nearby locations in Portsmouth and Rochester.
MVSB’s Exeter office was designed by Warrenstreet Architects, Inc. and construction was managed by Conneston Construction, Inc.
The building features stone and cedar cladding with plenty of parking, in-office and drive-up banking, an ATM and a self-service coin counter.
‘Perfect marriage of pies and pints’:Fat Hen Brewing Company coming to Exeter
Exeter train station may add upgrades for Amtrak passengers
Bob Hall, head of the Exeter Station Committee, recently went before the Select Board proposing upgrades to the nearly 23-year-old train station. Those upgrades include adding public restrooms, installing a ticket kiosk and a potential on-site host.
“We’re carrying between 4,000 to 5,000 people every month in and out of Exeter,” he said. “We’re on our way to probably 50,000 riders this year in and out of Exeter. We’ve carried two million passengers as of this summer… the train is a gateway to Exeter.”
Hall said Exeter is the only Amtrak stop between New Hampshire and Maine that does not have services provided by the community. It’s time to step up, he added.
Hall said improvements such as repairing the heating strips on the railroad and replacing the tactile strips on the platform need to be immediately addressed, citing safety hazards. He also added that constructing a small building in the future would also fill in a “much-needed” service.
Winham, who has been working with Hall on the matter, said they plan to seek state and federal funding options before presenting a formal proposal to the Select Board.
Fat Hen Brewing Company coming to Exeter
A new microbrewery offering “pies and pints” is opening in the space that once housed Charlie’s Ice Cream.
Owners Steve Nametz and Steve and Doug Helferich have taken over the space at 150 Front St. to open Fat Hen Brewing Company next door to Enna Chocolate.
They plan to open the 24-seat restaurant and bar in the September
“What can (people) expect? A good time, good quality company and food and drink,” said Steve Helferich.
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