Waterfront Committee to Discuss Ground Lease with Great Bay Rowing, Review Proposed Boathouse Design

Photo byAonUnsplash

DOVER, NH – The Cochecho Waterfront Development Advisory Committee (CDWAC) is set to meet on Tuesday, September 17, at 5:30 p.m. in Room 305 of the McConnell Center to discuss significant developments for the city's waterfront property. A key item on the agenda is the potential endorsement of a 40-year ground lease with Great Bay Rowing, which aims to construct a 5,400-square-foot boathouse on the waterfront.

If endorsed, the proposed ground lease would need City Council approval before it could go into effect. The lease agreement calls for Great Bay Rowing to pay an annual rent of $12,000, with increases of $1,000 per month every ten years. Great Bay Rowing would also be responsible for the operation and maintenance costs of the facility. Additionally, the organization will collaborate with the Recreation Department to develop public programs educating residents about paddle sports.

Great Bay Rowing will also present a proposed design for the boathouse, which would be privately funded and constructed without the use of city funds. The committee may vote to endorse the project during the meeting.

In addition to the discussion on the boathouse and lease, CDWAC will receive updates on the ongoing public and private construction projects at the waterfront. Work on the new buildings along the River Street loop road has progressed rapidly, with foundations already in place. The site will see an increase in workers as vertical construction begins in the coming weeks. The city is also preparing to release a construction bid for the public parks pavilion building, with the bid expected to be made public as early as next week.

The meeting will be broadcast live on Channel 22 and available for on-demand viewing on the city’s website at dovernh.viebit.com.

The information for this article was sourced from the City of Dover's meeting agenda.