New Rest Areas Planned in Hooksett

[upthesaukee]

Originally Posted by DickR

I suspect most travelers along a highway would be reluctant to get off the highway in search of a restaurant. Some of those heading either way might very well get off at the rest area for lunch or dinner rather than wait until getting to where they are going, whereas (at least those heading south late in the day) they might otherwise just keep going if they had to get off to search for a place. Thus I think there would be a net increase in tax revenue for the state, and not just some shift in which restaurants provide it. I imagine all of this has been studied in depth by both the state and the Common Man orgainzation.

We stopped at the Rest Area on I90 after I290 and before I84. Place was mobbed at about 1030 AM. Restaurant services were busy.

I think that it is going to be a win win situation for all involved.

[chipj29]

Like some of the others, I still think this is a “win” for the state. They own the land, and are going to generate more revenue from that.

Think of other rest areas, such as I-93 NB in Salem. That is a good sized lot with rest rooms and vending machines. I am sure the state paid next to nothing for the lot, but it does cost money for upkeep (heat, snow plowing, water/sewer, employees, etc). There is no way that the revenue they get from the vending machines is enough to offset all the costs. At least in Hooksett, they have the liquor store, and now a percentage of profits (plus taxes) from gas/food sales.

[Legionnaire70]

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

We stopped at the Rest Area on I90 after I290 and before I84. Place was mobbed at about 1030 AM. Restaurant services were busy.

I think that it is going to be a win win situation for all involved.

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.

[Happy Gourmand]

Originally Posted by Legionnaire70

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.
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.

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

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.

[Orion]

Originally Posted by PaugusBayFireFighter

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.

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."

[BroadHopper]

Originally Posted by PaugusBayFireFighter

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.

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.

[Legionnaire70]

Originally Posted by The Phantom Gourmand

HMMM...Papa Gino's or one of the Common Man's restaurants....let me think about which I would prefer.
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 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!

[MeredithMan]

Drove by there this weekend and excavation has begun!

[VitaBene]

Originally Posted by MeredithMan

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.

[chipj29]

Originally Posted by VitaBene

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.

[Just Sold]

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.

[mcdude]

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

[SIKSUKR]

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

[BroadHopper]

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!

[john60ri]

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

[chipj29]

Originally Posted by john60ri

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

[SIKSUKR]

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

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!

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

[Pine Island Guy]

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

[BroadHopper]

Originally Posted by Pine Island Guy

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?

[SIKSUKR]

A case of your choice of liquor.

[Pine Island Guy]

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

There was an article in the Union Leader that there was a friendly rivalry between the two projects.

Thank you BH, that answers a question that I had been pondering! Both sides were going along pretty much in sync, which seemed sort of odd because I was thinking that the specialized trades would do one, and then the other... but with two separate crews competing, it now makes sense!

And I do like your idea of the prize SS, it should be quite the party!

-PIG

[upthesaukee]

I was reading the papers on line this morning, and there is construction starting on a new Travel Plaza in Londonderry at exit 5. Red Arrow diner, fuel, liquor store and more. Can't remember an expected completion date.

[Just Sold]

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

I was reading the papers on line this morning, and there is construction starting on a new Travel Plaza in Londonderry at exit 5. Red Arrow diner, fuel, liquor store and more. Can't remember an expected completion date.

This has been a truck stop. It is being built on the current Sunoco gas station site on the south side of 28 at Exit 5 that caters to truckers. Shell has a spot w/trucker parking on the north side of 28 at exit 5 already. I pass both of these every morning on my way to work.