Surf Coaster Update
 

From The Laconia Sun:

Edgewater Development is looking at building 150 residential units across four different types on the roughly 14 acres on two parcels, which provides sweeping, panoramic views of Lake Winnipesaukee, and is located about 10 minutes from the downtowns of both Meredith and Laconia.

https://www.laconiadailysun.com/news...12346dcc3.html

Wow. There sure is a LOT of development happening in/around Winni. This cannot be good for quality of life.

I thought we'd hit "Peak Winnipesaukee' several years ago, but it looks like developers are putting the pedal to the metal. Demand, for the moment, would seem to be exceeding supply, but the lake itself is pretty much at capacity, with dock space almost non-existant, boat traffic crazy, and water quality deteriorating. Those of us that loved this area for its rural character are becoming dinosaurs, as the area turns into densely developed suburbs.

As I noted last week, new money is flowing into the region. Many long time residents who thought they were “well off” for the area are in for a treat. Many are ill prepared for what is coming.
Demand for services will continue to outweigh availability. Just last month I was speaking with an individual who was here from North Carolina. A finish carpenter who was flown in to complete a job in Gilford because the owner wasn’t satisfied with what was available to him here. That’s money many in the area have ever experienced


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Before Covid I would have agreed with the Peak Winnipesaukee, sentiment. However Since Covid, more people are working from home, which is allowing for more location diversity..... Folks have been able to sell their homes in the City, and move to more desirable locations...... I have a fairly flexible job myself... next summer I will be spend almost a Month, living at my camp on Winni, because of the freedom allowed with tele-commuting.

Bottom line, as long as companies allow for remote working options, we will see once largely recreational communities growing, and becoming more populated. Especially an area like Winni, where Boston is a fairly easy drive when needed in the office.

Which town will be first to have a dockmaster with an app for people to register in advance for a dock space, similar to the advance registration for rides at Disney World? And, a related fee of course. Better buy a boat slip now--the marinas will want the one you're renting for boat rentals and boat clubs. Overbuilding will force rents/prices to stabilize, but we really need a good recession for a year or two and some developer banmkruptcies. Which town will be the first to allow residential skyscrapers? Probably Laconia witha city form of government.

Bingo , you nailed it !

People go to a place for its attributes.

People occupying the place alter those attributes.

I'm glad I'm not the only one that feels our beloved lake lost it's 'On Golden Pond' luster. Family owned property on the lake since the 1890s, and had to sell because of property taxes as well as what the lake has become. All was quiet on Lake Winnisquam until the marinas started valet docking to increase boaters access. I just can't see why the towns around the lake take a handle on growth like they do on Squam Lake. Greed has really became the big factor.

The almighty dollar..........

Considering your screen name I'd bet you have known this was coming... :D

Laconia has never seen a condo project it didn’t like!

Have to fit a lot of units in a small space to maximize the public water/sewer.
Condos can do that very nicely without the captured capitalization of apartments. Since unsold units could always be long term leased if the charter doesn't prevent such, building condos makes a lot of sense.

Last year, in the Wall Street Journal, I read an article how a lot of NYC money for vacation homes was going to northern New England lake areas instead of the ocean areas that have questionable futures with the climate changes.

I dont remember zones on the lake in years past that were unsafe to swim in due to the bacteria. I never felt the boat traffic as I did last year. $17 mil lakefront houses for sale. Celebrity sitings (shopping those houses perhaps?). Things have changed so quickly.

Far from capacity. On a few weekends boat traffic is high but during the week the lake is wide open. Great for the tax base in Laconia. These folk pay property taxes and take very few resources in return. Win win for Laconia