It is a very poor comparison to use a 1987 private business venture that was not directly on Interstate 93 and relied on Interstate passers-by leaving the highway and other local patrons for their business. It ultimately failed too. It was also too long ago (26 years) to be used for a comparison. Times have changed and the demographics are not the same today as back in 87.

Today it is the State of NH working with a private company to accomplish a goal of a hospitality venue that is directly on and specifically geared to the Interstate 93 traveler.

This private company has a long, excellent and proven business track record in the hospitality industry that they bring to the table. Their methods work period and I believe that will make it a win-win situation for everyone.

My thoughts are that this will be a huge success. On any given weekend, the parking lots at the present facilities are jammed with cars full of folks spending money at the liquor stores and the vending machines.
And, even if it's only moderately successful, the onus of fiscal risk is squarely on the developer who holds a lease for 35 years and who will be held liable for honoring it in the form of lease payments to the State. (US).
This very respected and successful developer is risking a lot of cash and committment to this project's success. He certainly seems to be putting more skin in this game than the State. The State is putting $8 million for liquor stores that are outdated and inadequate and will generate a ton of $$$. Oh, and they will have to plow the snow in the winter.
I'm sure the State will have more than that vested in the project, but I think this will be a big win for all.

Actually, the rest areas, esp. NB, are pretty busy year-round. I stopped there just the other day (Mon or Tues this week), and it was pretty busy. That was at 4PM on a weekday, in between seasons.

Not sure I understand this logic. You would rather have the state pay much more to develop this than a private company?

No Comparison
 

Comparing this on-highway rest area with the off-highway Bear Right does not make any sense. The Manchester Street interchange with 93 is terrible now and was even worse before they "fixed" it (back in the Bear Right days).

You have to really want something at that exit to get off there! Otherwise there are 2 other ramps in that area of Concord (not including 14, that one should be removed), that can get you to either side of that intersection without having to deal with the lower end of Manchester Street at all!

The big question for me is - will the hand dryers work in the new bathrooms?

Any chance they could take one ten thousandth of a percent of that 35 mill and fix the hand dryers now?

They are actually partnering with the NH Humane Society. They will have dogs awaiting adoption at the restroom exits to lick your hands dry. It's proven to be more sanitary than the current hand dryers.

Lets all agree to disagree, I have my view points, you all have yours... the true test will be time. I can counter everyone of your arguments as you can counter everyone of mine...

It just is what it is, we will see how it all turns out.

Throw those damn things out and replace them with these.


http://airblade.dyson.com/handdryers.aspx

NH Business model
 

Has anyone visit the Liquor Outlet in Nashua? The one behind Christmas Tree shop? That will be the ideal model for the new liquor stores to go in Hooksett. I love the wine and liquor tasting to food cooked in the center court. The store is tastefully designed, with wide aisles. The staff will order liquor that is not in stock.

Yes, that store is practically in my neighborhood. By far the nicest liquor store I've been in. I wonder if this store will be the "model" for the one at the new visitor centers.

I was just in the Nashua store the other day. Had to get some champagne for a nieces baby shower up in Maine. They have a tax on Booze up there. My Maine relatives always have me shop for them before I go up to Bangor. But, sssshhhhhh.....Don't tell anyone! ;):D

BTW I noticed there is construction equipment at both of the rest areas and it looks like construction has begun in Hooksett.

That reminds me of a story. I may have already told it but...

It seems that the powers to be in Mass. were tired of losing tax revenue when Mass citizens traveled to NH to buy their liquor, so the Mass State Police were directed to "stake-out" the NH Liquor Store parking lots and look for Mass license plated cars. Upon entering Mass these cars were pulled over and the drivers were cited. Well the NH powers that be directed their State Police to ticket the Mass State Police for loitering in the NH State Liquor store parking lots. The practice stopped after that.:laugh:

I remember that and also the fireworks stores were staked out. And let's not forget MA trying to recoup taxes from stores on the MA/NH border? MA was looking to get taxes for things like tires,and hard goods out of places like PEP Boys and even Sears and Jordan's Furniture who was delivering furniture into MA. Bernie and Phil's always openly advertises about saving the MA sales tax, as long as you can take it with you. I know, because I bought stuff up here while living in MA, they would take your money up in Nashua, and the Shrewsbury, MA store delivered the furniture.:laugh:

Connecticut
 

Back in the 70's my Connecticut neighbor, now a retired fireman, use to load up his trunk full of booze for friends and neighbors back home. He was stopped one night as his car was weighed down in the rear. He was told to open his trunk and was jailed and fined for interstate transportation of booze over so many gallons. I guess this was a holdover from the Prohibition days and the little use law was never taken off the books.

So yeah there are laws out there that will stick in court!

You mean like at JCPenney at Pheasant Lane Mall? They avoided that one by cutting the corner off the building:

(dotted line is NH/MA border)

That was a hot potato
 

When the mall was built. Something about the parking lot being in Tyngsboro and all that.

There was also an issue with both the Nashua and Tyngsboro police regarding accidents right on the border line. I remember the issue was solve as the parking lot is on private property and the state and or towns have no jurisdiction on private property. I'm glad I don't shop at malls...... :rolleye2:

93 North- Hooksett
 

I wonder how much business/ goodwill is being lost during the present pre-construction phase. Friday afternoon (3:00 or so) parking lot was blocked off to about half capacity due to work being done; cars were exiting 93 to go into parking lot, driving through without finding a parking space or place to circle around through again and re-entering 93 without having stopped. Wonder if scheduling couldn't be planned to be friendlier to customers/visitors?

Not really
 

The State Police and town police do have jurisdiction in mall parking lots. The determining factor is "everywhere the public has a right of access".

You can't really think if a robbery, murder, or car theft occurred in a mall parking lot that all the police departments would have no authority to take action.

You can also be cited for motor vehicle violations in a mall parking lot as well. Again, when the public has a right of access, public safety and the greater good require the enforcement of laws to maintain order.

Hooksett North
 

Those who travel 3A North through Bow knows there is an entrance to the liquor store from that road. You can use the entrance to avoid the entrance and save a buck!

I agree with you there, but the states made some kind of agreement as to patrolling the parking lots. Its been so long ago I can't remember the agreement. I can also remember a stake out at one time finding Mass residents trying to escape the sales tax.

That place is a mad house! When I worked for Papa Gino's that restaurant was the top sales restaurant in the entire company.

So the pictures I see looks like the town of Ashland has their fingers in that project... Hiltz construction and Common man ... Hmmm
Just another one of Alex Rays slop and serve joints. He should work on improving his current establishments before opening another one.

HMMM...Papa Gino's or one of the Common Man's restaurants....let me think about which I would prefer. :confused:
C'mon Legionnaire 70, how can you dun the place before we know what will be there for restaurants? The rest area now consists of a liquor store, some vending machines and some toilets. I think what is being built will be a welcome upgrade and may even being some revenue to the State.
I'm anxious to see how this turns out. If's a success, we all win. If not, then Alex Ray, et al, will be the biggest loser. He is taking the biggest risk by far and based on what we've all seen him accomplish in Meredith, my money is on him.

I'm sure they took into consideration new developments in Hooksett like the 149,000 sq. ft. Bass Pro Shops that will attract millions of people alone over the next couple of years.

Bass Pro nearby
 

Nice! Too bad they're not going to be co-located. Now THAT would be a destination. Beautiful stores. Bass Pro web site indicates they'll be about 3 miles south of that location:

"Hooksett, New Hampshire - Bass Pro Shops, America’s most popular outdoor store, will locate a new store in Hooksett (Manchester), New Hampshire. The mega 149,000 square-foot Bass Pro Shops® Sportsman’s Center will be located at the intersection of I-93 and I-293."

Cabella's
 

Cabella had their shot a decade ago. The state and Hooksett spent thousands of dollars wooing Cabellas and making plans at the Palazzi plant. Maine snatch the deal offering no property tax and sales tax for a number of years. Almost in front of LL Beans door!

Hooksett has a lot to gain. I think if the rest area concept is tasteful, like a liquor store modeled after the Nashua location, a diner similar to the Tit'n Diner or the 104 Diner and a Welcome Shop featuring NH Craftsmen gifts will be a far cry than what we have now. Of course politics being as it is will frig the whole thing up.

I hope Rusty doesn't use his 'tacky' Adirondacks decorating here, they belong in Upper state NY.

I wasn't comparing the two to each other, did you read my post before you jumped all over me??? C'mon!
By the way, that Hooksett rest area is a toilet!

New Hookset rest areas....
 

Drove by there this weekend and excavation has begun!

And how- they are cranking away! The stores are the only buildings left that I saw. I wonder where all the tractor trailers will be parking until it is done.

I have seen them parked on the ramps from the rest areas to the highway.

I was by there today and they are really going at it with clearing and grading. There are now trailers with the rest rooms in them and parking is definately at a premium.

these pics posted today on FB by Bill Hemmill of Lakes Region Aerials
First pic is the southbound area and second is the northbound

Wow, looks like a 4 fold increase at least in square footage.

Cannon Tram car
 

Looks like I found the other gondola. One is at the entrance to the ski museum in Franconia.

This will be a nice touch to the Welcome Center!

Hooksett
 

We will be up there in August. Does anyone know the completion date for this project? Can't wait to see it.

The massive public-private construction project, which began last October on both the north and south sides of Interstate 93, is two months ahead of schedule and could be completed late next winter.

http://www.wmur.com/escape-outside/u...#ixzz34nzo6aO6

I've been eyeballing that tram for many years at the Cannon maintanance building wondering how I could pull off that going missing.:laugh:

update
 

Heard yesterday on the news that construction is way ahead of schedule... the liquor stores and rest area will open in September, followed by the restaurants and convenience stores later in the fall...

We check on progress every weekend when we go by and they are going really fast, maybe they have some incentive payment for finishing early?

Now if I could get the crew to spend a week at my house...

Boat, swim, paddle, sail, enjoy... the summer is upon us! -PIG

There was an article in the Union Leader that there was a friendly rivalry between the two projects. It gives the workers incentive to speed up the process. I wonder what the prize is?

A case of your choice of liquor.:laugh: