Weirs Beach Waterslide to be Torn Down

[brk-lnt]

Originally Posted by Billy Bob

We are residents os st Pete beach/Clearwater and have a home on the lake for the summer . Attempting to compare the 2 isen't possible . Clearwater has a 12month season with snowbirds packing the area now and southern state folks enjoying the beaches in the summer. Also a lot more to do with the ocean and the Disney / Bush stuff so close. The lake has a very short season to make a buck and the return on investment isen't possible for large scale redevelopment. The weirs might have nostalgia but at this point it is what it is a dump that no one without a lake history will find cool.
Laconia is a financially poor city with big problems , few decent jobs and big drug and small time crime problems. Using development money to get more low paying seasonal jobs at the crummy beach probably is not at the top of the list

We avoid that area with the grand kids , it's history

I think this sums it up pretty well. Attempting to hang on to the past and nostalgia is only going to bring things down. The number of people with a "history" of the Weirs are outnumbered by newcomers who only see it as a place with little to no draw.

[pcmc]

https://www.google.com/search?q=st+p...&client=safari

I don't recall comparing, merely suggesting a thought of a pier at Wiers beach.
I found the the one we visited. It was in St. Petersburg, FL.

[diz]

Originally Posted by RLW

Hasn't anyone taken a resent picture as to how it looks at the present time? I would love to see how the property looks vacant.

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

Compare those pictures to post #43 and you'll see there has been some progress since my photo.
I think the excavator moved 35 feet.
Here's a couple pictures of the other side of the street.

[Gilligan]

Too bad that another attraction goes away with nothing to replace it. The costs of food and lodging goes up and the attractions go down. It feels odd that on one hand there is more crowding while on the other hand there are fewer entertainment destinations. Kids don't seem to mind that the Weirs are a bit run down as long as there are fun things to do there. Take away the fun and they are not pestering their parents to go there.

I wish I had answers or plan ideas but I don't. I just hate to see the current state of affairs and the dwindling number of family fun places.

[Jeanzb1]

I know that I'm in the minority, but I will miss the water slide. The grandkids didn't mind that it was run down. And now that it is in the process of being torn down, I just hope that they clean the debris up and not leave an unsightly empty lot.

[fatnoah]

As someone who grew up in Laconia (LHS class of '93), it's sad to see the Weirs fall into the state it's in. As a teenager, it didn't seem particularly seedy and I generally knew someone working in almost every single one of the businesses, whether it be the water slide, Surfcoaster, arcades, pizza/fried dough joints, etc. Compared to the rest of the area, the boardwalk was a pretty happening place in the summer.

Going back now, it seems much smaller and seedier than I remember. That's probably a combination if it actually being seedier and me having a slightly different world view than when I was 17.

[Misha888]

Today's progress photo.

[Misha888]

From the park.

[fatlazyless]

Looking into my crystal ball one year from now, on April 17, 2015; I can see the Weirs Beach waterslide-volcano location has been transformed by the dynamic local market economy of Weirs Beach ........ ta-ta-ta......rat-a-tat-tat ..... a little drum-roll here ......and one year later that volcano location has become......no big surprise here..... an empty vacant lot with a surface of hard-packed dirt and some old asphalt paving here and there... some remnant tent material left over from bike week and a for sale/for lease sign.

And, what else does it have? .....oh yeah.....it has a relatively high assessed value as determined by the City of Laconia. Say-hey.....while some waterfront areas grow hotels, restaurants, and public walk-ways.....other waterfront areas just seem to grow vacant parking lots. Occaisionally, I will stop and spend money at the Cumberland gas station or at Kellerhause for a 1.09 Wednesday ice cream when driving over to Lowe's or Walmart or St Vincent de Paul. You know that the Weirs Bridge was not closed for Bike Week in 2013 for the first time due to no need to close it.

Gee whiz.....if only that lot still had a good healthy stand of hardwood trees growing there, then the trees could be cut down and sold to the lumber mill up in Rumney just like the neighboring lots up the hill which continue to be.....you guessed it.....empty lots.

ps ......I wonder why the parking meters are covered with those blue canvas covers which are locked down with a small padlock that cannot be seen in the photo.....is that to keep car-parkers from putting money into the meters?

[Irish mist]

The area needs a master plan, expecting Laconia to do this anytime soon is doubtful. I have watched the city of Laconia turn into a typical non-working, non-functional section-8 infested mess. Back in the 70s the city was a solid working-class, blue-collar type of city that was safe and stable.

There's still not much random violent crime, yet, but petty crime, property crime, and drug crimes are on the rise. The current leadership in Laconia is not going to be able to turn this around, and quite frankly, I doubt it can be turned around at all at this point due to the massive influx of section-8 housing in the core of the city. It also does not help that the Laconia area has lost thousands of manufacturing jobs.

You just can't pepper a city the size of Laconia with thousands of units of welfare housing and not expect issues. These issues are of course bleeding over to Meredith & Gilford....so this is also a regional issue, and not just a Laconia issue.

You can spend tens of millions of dollars at the Weirs and it's really not going to matter until the rest of the town is somehow cleaned up, and I don't see that happening any time soon in the current political climate.

[secondcurve]

Originally Posted by Irish mist

The area needs a master plan, expecting Laconia to do this anytime soon is doubtful. I have watched the city of Laconia turn into a typical non-working, non-functional section-8 infested mess. Back in the 70s the city was a solid working-class, blue-collar type of city that was safe and stable.

There's still not much random violent crime, yet, but petty crime, property crime, and drug crimes are on the rise. The current leadership in Laconia is not going to be able to turn this around, and quite frankly, I doubt it can be turned around at all at this point due to the massive influx of section-8 housing in the core of the city. It also does not help that the Laconia area has lost thousands of manufacturing jobs.

You just can't pepper a city the size of Laconia with thousands of units of welfare housing and not expect issues. These issues are of course bleeding over to Meredith & Gilford....so this is also a regional issue, and not just a Laconia issue.

You can spend tens of millions of dollars at the Weirs and it's really not going to matter until the rest of the town is somehow cleaned up, and I don't see that happening any time soon in the current political climate.

Maybe they can pave downtown for the bikers and fix the waterfront for the tourists?

[Irish mist]

Originally Posted by secondcurve

Maybe they can pave downtown for the bikers and fix the waterfront for the tourists?

I'm not optimistic that any thing can be done in the short-term. It's taken 30 years of mismanagement to get Laconia to where it is today.

[SIKSUKR]

Originally Posted by secondcurve

Maybe they can pave downtown for the bikers and fix the waterfront for the tourists?

Wow. So those 100,000 bikers are not tourists? Didn't know all those bikes were from Laconia.

[secondcurve]

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

Wow. So those 100,000 bikers are not tourists? Didn't know all those bikes were from Laconia.

Perhaps a better way to say it is they are not the type of tourists the town needs. The reason for this is they are only there one week a year and while they spend heavily they seem to enable property owners to earn enough money to support run down businesses and parking lots without doing much else for the balance of the year. In a nutshell, bike week seems to crowd out capital investment which would lead to more desirable tourism. I'm sure it is a complex problem but something needs to change to improve Laconia and specifically its waterfront area.

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

Originally Posted by secondcurve

Perhaps a better way to say it is they are not the type of tourists the town needs. The reason for this is they are only there one week a year and while they spend heavily they seem to enable property owners to earn enough money to support run down businesses and parking lots without doing much else for the balance of the year. In a nutshell, bike week seems to crowd out capital investment which would lead to more desirable tourism. I'm sure it is a complex problem but something needs to change to improve Laconia and specifically its waterfront area.

My opinion is the blame lies on the elected officials who allow the property owners to keep Laconia looking like the south end of a north bound skunk. They issue the permits and it seems they would have leverage against property owners who depend on said permits to earn during bike week.

In the end, with the Broken Spoke and the old Boot Hill both up for sale, the writing may already be on the wall for bike week moving to Lincoln. Be careful what you wish for.

[Mr. V]

The Weirs has deteriorated because investors do not see it as a viable area to invest in new businesses.

Frankly, the old school notion of an arcade and a dance pavilion surrounded with kitschy shops doesn't cut it in the New Millenium.

Folks, particularly kids, have other options for entertainment, such as video games.

Back in the day, the Weirs was "it."

Not any more.

I've no solution, only a suggestion: hello, amusement park!

"Six Flags over Winnie," anyone?

Add a casino.

That would draw everybody.

Otherwise, it's just a slow decline to oblivion, as things change.

[birchhaven]

QUOTE=PaugusBayFireFighter;224037]My opinion is the blame lies on the elected officials who allow the property owners to keep Laconia looking like the south end of a north bound skunk. They issue the permits and it seems they would have leverage against property owners who depend on said permits to earn during bike week.

In the end, with the Broken Spoke and the old Boot Hill both up for sale, the writing may already be on the wall for bike week moving to Lincoln. Be careful what you wish for.[/QUOTE]

In this particular case, I don't think the elected officials have any real power, the blame lies in the city employees who don't seem to change and seem to focus on the wrong problems.

[jrc]

The city, like many, has issues to deal with. Having 100k people come to you city and spending like drunken bikers, every year can be a huge revenue tool.

If the city cannot figure out how to leverage those millions of dollars, it's hard to fault the bikers.

Does Florida blame Disney Word for their problems?

[Bigstan]

Originally Posted by jrc

The city, like many, has issues to deal with. Having 100k people come to you city and spending like drunken bikers, every year can be a huge revenue tool.

If the city cannot figure out how to leverage those millions of dollars, it's hard to fault the bikers.

Does Florida blame Disney Word for their problems?

Disney world is not a run down eyesore that hasn't changed in 40 years. Disney is self policing and wouldn't let things get to that level.

[jrc]

I guess Disney World was a bad example. My point was that having people visit and spend money, could be used as a positive to improve the area. How many cities are trying to attract events?

[Bigstan]

Originally Posted by jrc

I guess Disney World was a bad example. My point was that having people visit and spend money, could be used as a positive to improve the area. How many cities are trying to attract events?

Agreed, that is the only way.

But it's the chicken and the egg - who will want to invest in a run down area with a short season with declining crowds? But without investment why would people come?

Is their a tourism board? If not someone needs to be put in charge with the goal of breathing some new life into the area. Cities do try and attract tourism and events, but as with anything else it will take spending some money to make money. I bet the enthusiasm for doing that isn't huge....

[Bostonian]

As a seasonal person/weekender, I see a couple of issues here...


In bringing up my family to the Lake, we want to avoid the Weirs... It is run down, and offers nothing for families. While bike week may generate a shot of revenue, the overall cost of policing the area, clean up and etc may not mean too much actualized revenue.

What I would like seen done is as was stated before... Create a Master Plan for the entire Weirs area. Make it a place where everyone can visit, day or night, with great restaurants, attractions and more. The Weirs should be spark plug that drives the western side of the lake from Meredith to Gilford and down to Alton.

[TiltonBB]

As in most things it is easy to be critical.

There are a few owners with property investments in Weirs Beach that have existed and done well for many years. The city of Laconia would face a significant challenge if they tried to make any changes that would impact those property owners.

It would be nice to have Laconia look like Meredith but how do you make that happen? Who would want to invest in the modernization and cleanng up of the Weirs Beach area if every eyesore in the area was not removed? How do you get the income from 12 weeks to support 52 weeks of debt? Many tourists, summer people, boaters and vacationers are here for the summer season and have no idea how much this area turns into a ghost town for 9 months of the year.

If you have really great ideas about how you can support the investment required for significant change that will make sense with the short season we have I am sure that the Laconia Planning Department would love to hear from you.

So, don't complain, offer your solution!

[Resident 2B]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

As in most things it is easy to be critical.

There are a few owners with property investments in Weirs Beach that have existed and done well for many years. The city of Laconia would face a significant challenge if they tried to make any changes that would impact those property owners.

It would be nice to have Laconia look like Meredith but how do you make that happen? Who would want to invest in the modernization and cleanng up of the Weirs Beach area if every eyesore in the area was not removed? How do you get the income from 12 weeks to support 52 weeks of debt? Many tourists, summer people, boaters and vacationers are here for the summer season and have no idea how much this area turns into a ghost town for 9 months of the year.

If you have really great ideas about how you can support the investment required for significant change that will make sense with the short season we have I am sure that the Laconia Planning Department would love to hear from you.

So, don't complain, offer your solution!

My solution is to develop a Master Plan that addresses how to improve the area.

This plan needs input from the people that own commercial property at the Weirs, the residential property owners in the area that have been impacted property value wise, the bike week organizers and anyone else with a vested interest.

I have a place right across from the Weirs between Weirs Beach and Govenors Island, so I feel I have a vested interest. The only plan that will work should work for the majority.

Doing nothing is no longer acceptable to me. Laconia as a city has demonstrated they very good at doing nothing about the Weirs. It will not improve until a Master Plan is developed, approved and funded.

R2B

[pcmc]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

So, don't complain, offer your solution!

Sorry if some are a repost.....a few thoughts that may bring interest back. Most are kid and adult oriented.

1.New updated drive in. (I think it should stay)
2.A long pier into the lake with attractions and access from a boat.
3.A large/ huge Farris wheel facing the lake.
4.Mini submarine tours(?).
5.Huge water slide into the lake.
6.Annual boat/ jet ski races of sorts.
7.Annual or multiple remote control boat races.
8.Annual or multiple remote control R/C car races.
9.Parasailing ( I wouldn't )
10.Car cruise nights at the weirs.
11.Boat ??? Cruise nights or mornings. (so to speak), never heard of one myself, such as a gathering of boaters like the car guys have C&C events ( cars and coffee). It seems it's always a free for all to get where your going by boat. Not an organized gathering to get a morning cup of joe and talk boats and such. I suppose docking is the #1 reason this doesn't happen.
12.Kids boat track...go-cart track on the water.
13.Surfing pool. Water is pumped up hill fast enough it keeps you stationary until you loose your balance, then it's bye bye swim trunks.
14.Wave pool
15.Six Flags Park near by.
16.Huge floating raft with water slides, and trampoline.
17.Bumper boats
18.Under water glass tunnel for walking with man made sunken artifacts placed around on the bottom that divers can investigate while observers in the tunnel can look on and watch the divers.
19.A replica Washington Monument for view seekers.
20.A dance hall for large get togethers.

Ok I'm rambling and pecking every thought that has bounced around in my head. These can get the ball rolling and everyone can feed off this.
PS. I would love to do some of these ideas if anyone would be interested in talking about them.

[secondcurve]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

As in most things it is easy to be critical.

There are a few owners with property investments in Weirs Beach that have existed and done well for many years. The city of Laconia would face a significant challenge if they tried to make any changes that would impact those property owners.

It would be nice to have Laconia look like Meredith but how do you make that happen? Who would want to invest in the modernization and cleanng up of the Weirs Beach area if every eyesore in the area was not removed? How do you get the income from 12 weeks to support 52 weeks of debt? Many tourists, summer people, boaters and vacationers are here for the summer season and have no idea how much this area turns into a ghost town for 9 months of the year.

If you have really great ideas about how you can support the investment required for significant change that will make sense with the short season we have I am sure that the Laconia Planning Department would love to hear from you.

So, don't complain, offer your solution!

See Meredith. I'd go figure out who transformed Meredith and offer them, or someone like them, incentives to do the same for Laconia. No property taxes for twenty years in exchange for developing a high-end hotel at the Weirs? There must be town owned property (tax foreclosures) that could be given to developers in exchange for a commitment of heavy capital expenditures. Who developed the Meredith Hockey tournament? If I were running Laconia I'd improve the docking situation. Clearly this isn't rocket science. While I agree that running a seasonal tourist destination is difficult, why has every other town on the lake been HIGHLY successful? This is Lake Winnipesaukee....there is a ton of money around. If people were convinced that change and investment were happening money would flow to the Weirs and Laconia rapidly. While the area is downtrodden there is a ton of value here. What other town on the lake has that much commercial property at its waterfront? My God look at what has happened to Boston's South End.....take a peak at what has happened to places like Chelsea and Dorchester. These areas benefitted since they were values relative to Boston's Back Bay and North-end. Isn't the same relationship present between Laconia and Meredith?

[TiltonBB]

Originally Posted by Resident 2B

My solution is to develop a Master Plan that addresses how to improve the area.

This plan needs input from the people that own commercial property at the Weirs, the residential property owners in the area that have been impacted property value wise, the bike week organizers and anyone else with a vested interest.

I have a place right across from the Weirs between Weirs Beach and Govenors Island, so I feel I have a vested interest. The only plan that will work should work for the majority.

Doing nothing is no longer acceptable to me. Laconia as a city has demonstrated they very good at doing nothing about the Weirs. It will not improve until a Master Plan is developed, approved and funded.

R2B

I was hoping for ideas that will work. A Master Plan is a method but not an idea with a specific action or building or a type of business that will solve the problem. I was thinking more of specific ideas rather than a committee than has to come up with it's own ideas.

[TiltonBB]

Originally Posted by pcmc

Sorry if some are a repost.....a few thoughts that may bring interest back. Most are kid and adult oriented.

1.New updated drive in. (I think it should stay)
2.A long pier into the lake with attractions and access from a boat.
3.A large/ huge Farris wheel facing the lake.
4.Mini submarine tours(?).
5.Huge water slide into the lake.
6.Annual boat/ jet ski races of sorts.
7.Annual or multiple remote control boat races.
8.Annual or multiple remote control R/C car races.
9.Parasailing ( I wouldn't )
10.Car cruise nights at the weirs.
11.Boat ??? Cruise nights or mornings. (so to speak), never heard of one myself, such as a gathering of boaters like the car guys have C&C events ( cars and coffee). It seems it's always a free for all to get where your going by boat. Not an organized gathering to get a morning cup of joe and talk boats and such. I suppose docking is the #1 reason this doesn't happen.
12.Kids boat track...go-cart track on the water.
13.Surfing pool. Water is pumped up hill fast enough it keeps you stationary until you loose your balance, then it's bye bye swim trunks.
14.Wave pool
15.Six Flags Park near by.
16.Huge floating raft with water slides, and trampoline.
17.Bumper boats
18.Under water glass tunnel for walking with man made sunken artifacts placed around on the bottom that divers can investigate while observers in the tunnel can look on and watch the divers.
19.A replica Washington Monument for view seekers.
20.A dance hall for large get togethers.

Ok I'm rambling and pecking every thought that has bounced around in my head. These can get the ball rolling and everyone can feed off this.
PS. I would love to do some of these ideas if anyone would be interested in talking about them.

You have a lot of good summer ideas but I didn't see a solution to make the area, and the investment required, viable the other 9 months of the year. It is very difficult to support 12 months of debt on 3 months of income.

Since most families have children in school for 9 months of the year your target consumer is limited to people within about a 50 mile radius of Laconia who will only come on weekends. Many of them do not have the disposable income to support these ideas. As you reach farther south the income levels rise but so does the travel time which will again restrict the number of people willing and able to travel that far.

The area needs a 12 month solution in order to generate the income necessary to support the investment required for a substantial change.

[Happy Gourmand]

How about a casino within a hotel that could include some other attractions? I think the casino bill is coming up for another vote in NH. We were the 1st State in the country to approve a lottery, I believe. A casino seems like it could be a year round attraction that would bring in a lot of money into the area.

[pcmc]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

You have a lot of good summer ideas but I didn't see a solution to make the area, and the investment required, viable the other 9 months of the year. It is very difficult to support 12 months of debt on 3 months of income.

Since most families have children in school for 9 months of the year your target consumer is limited to people within about a 50 mile radius of Laconia who will only come on weekends. Many of them do not have the disposable income to support these ideas. As you reach farther south the income levels rise but so does the travel time which will again restrict the number of people willing and able to travel that far.

The area needs a 12 month solution in order to generate the income necessary to support the investment required for a substantial change.

That's the million dollar question....The Solution with the game plan. I'm sorry I don't have it. That is responsibility of the state officials, imo. It won't be an over night repair. The first attraction will need to be built, draw some interest and drive the second attraction and so on and so on. I think the Fun Spot , the zip line place (can't remember the name, monkey something?) ect...are solid starts . The next improvement can't be 5-6 years from now, they need to keep upgrading and get people talking.

[RailroadJoe]

Thanks PCMC You are the first with a few solid ideas into solving some of the problems. Most complain, you provide answers. We use to say at work "don't give me problems, give me solutions".

[fatlazyless]

http://www.weirsbeach.com/Largejpgs/nhvahistory.html has been there since sometime like 1924, and will probably still be there in 2124. In 1924 the large Weirs Hotel on-site burnt to the ground.

They have a number of seasonal, un-heated historic buildings, plus a campground, and I could never figure out exactly what purpose these serve, what is their use and whether these civil war ear buildings are a plus or a minus for the Weirs area?

According to an article in the LaDaSun a couple years ago, the NH Veteran's Assoc pays no property taxes to Laconia and makes most of its yearly income during bike week, from rental income from the vender tents placed on the grassy embankment above the sidewalk, and the rental income gets used for building and property maintenance and repairs.

Are these old historic un-heated and presumably un-used buildings a historic benefit to the area, or are they an eyesore .......I dunno .....what do you think?? Whatever they may be ........they will most likely be there for many many years to come. Is the NH Veteran's Assoc historic buildings and campground a plus or a minus for the area?

Maybe the NH Veterans Assoc would be interested in removing all these old historic structures to a new location and replacing them with a brand new casino designed along a Civil War style design similar to these old buildings, and the casino employees could dress up like the soldiers who fought the Civil War in blue and grey uniforms. It could be an historical replica Civil War era waterfront casino .... and power-up the local economy....with a year round casino business.

[tis]

Very interesting that you brought that up, fll. I always wondered about those buildings too.

[jrc]

You also have to consider that some people don't want to change the Weirs. People may hate the traffic that bike week brings and think more attractions will just make more traffic.

Laconia has other issues beyond just The Weirs. Just like a lot of NH towns, they don't have a substantial industrial base to fuel the middle class. The lake brings money into the area which filters down from lake businesses to the rest of the town. There are few other business that actual bring money into the area.

Do this thought experiment, everyone living in Laconia is sending money out of town, very little food, electricity, gasoline or manufactured goods are made there. Where does that money come from? Lake tourists, and government payments, where else?

[Crusty]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

...replacing them with a brand new casino designed along a Civil War style ... and power-up the local economy....with a year round casino business.

We got a similar line in Ohio and we now have 3 casinos draining money from the local economies.

To get the job done required amending the state constitution. This amendment included the number of casinos, the precise locations, exactly how and what would be taxed, and who got to own them (out of state "investors").

In Columbus, ours is located on an old manufacturing site in a somewhat blighted area. There was great excitement about how the casino would revitalize the area. --Not to mention the tax windfall.

Well, it's been a few years now and the roads and infrastructure have been updated (at taxpayer expense). Let's see how we did... First, the predicted tax revenue was quite a bit lower than anticipated. There was no "revitalization" of the area. In fact, casinos go to great lengths to ensure that, once you're on the property, you don't leave. Lot's of complementary food, hotel rooms, you name it. Why would you even think of walking several blocks to some local establishment. Most of the jobs created are lower-paying "hospitality" workers. Dealers get more, but there aren't that many of them.

And all the money taken in? Why, that goes to the out-of-state owners.

So, unless you think the local government is capable of building and operating (successfully) a casino, I'd fight like all heck to keep them out of the area.

[Resident 2B]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

I was hoping for ideas that will work. A Master Plan is a method but not an idea with a specific action or building or a type of business that will solve the problem. I was thinking more of specific ideas rather than a committee than has to come up with it's own ideas.

Many ideas, once vetted, agreed to and proven viable, become the foundation of a plan. We need a plan.

Independent ideas are great, but how do these ideas get funded and become reality? How do these ideas link together to make some sort of sense that banks will support with mortgage investments? That is why we need a plan. Look where we are now without a plan. Best recent idea was to tear down the waterslide and pave the lot. WOW! Great step backwards. At least it did not burn down like the structures that were on the other paved lots.

Maybe the best plan is to tear it all down and restart, maybe there is no real solution and we will sit still until it all burns down or falls down by itself. I think that might be the city's plan.

What bothers me is I pay over $10,000 a year in taxes and the city sits there and makes no effort to address the decay problem. I am not the only person in this situation. Let's hear from people that own property there and get their thoughts regarding what should be done.

Easy to sit back and criticize when you do not have a local, vested interest.

R2B

[pcmc]

Still only an idea. The revitalization of the Weirs area could make a neat reality show. Attract investors like D. Trump(for example) and a network and you would be back on the map.

Casinos I'm not a fan of. Not a family atmosphere and they seem to beat the states out money in the end too, but it would be year round I suppose.

[TiltonBB]

There is concern in the City of Laconia about what to do to improve the area and find solutions that are financially viable. I have attended meetings conducted by the Laconia Planning Department asking business owners and residents what they would like to see in the future and what they would like the area to look like. The last meeting I went to was held at the Weirs Beach hall next to the fire station and was well attended by local people with a vested interest in the Weirs Beach area.

"Maybe the best plan is to tear it all down and restart" Although that might be a great idea what would you tell the NH Veteran's Association or the owners of the not so attractive Weirs Beach properties that are to be torn down?


There are many of us who own business properties in the Weirs area that would be very happy to see improvements and make the area a year round destination. Finding the right ideas that are financially viable seems to be a very elusive task.

[Resident 2B]

I am a Veteran as well, but I do not belong the NH Veteran's group. My "tear it all down comment" was tongue in cheek. However, if we continue doing what we have been doing, in time it will all be paved.

Nice to invite the residents to the meeting, but what about the non-resident property owners. I own on Lucerne Ave just down the street from the meeting, directly across from the Weirs and I was not invited, nor where my non-resident neighbors. We have a vested interest and are willing to work. I am happy to learn that at least some people are getting together.

R2B

[pcmc]

It's nice to hear of the evolvement by everyone there at the meetings.
There's no way around it, this is a huge undertaking. Reaching out to the world via the net is a step in right direction that may pay off eventually. IMO, there will NEVER be ONE correct solution to this.
If using the current site of the NHVA opens more potential for the area, I would suggest proposing it become part of the master plan, WITH the agreement that the association and ALL memorials get incorporated back into the project in their entirety. As far as the homes go I'm keeping my fingers(lips) shut, as I don't want to end up on their s*** list's.(sorry my dad came out in me)

Not an easy one, that's for sure!

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

There is concern in the City of Laconia about what to do to improve the area and find solutions that are financially viable. I have attended meetings conducted by the Laconia Planning Department asking business owners and residents what they would like to see in the future and what they would like the area to look like. The last meeting I went to was held at the Weirs Beach hall next to the fire station and was well attended by local people with a vested interest in the Weirs Beach area.

"Maybe the best plan is to tear it all down and restart" Although that might be a great idea what would you tell the NH Veteran's Association or the owners of the not so attractive Weirs Beach properties that are to be torn down?


There are many of us who own business properties in the Weirs area that would be very happy to see improvements and make the area a year round destination. Finding the right ideas that are financially viable seems to be a very elusive task.

[pcmc]

Has anyone researched boardwalks or similar waterfront lake areas around the country to around the world and found what designs and layouts that have made them successful. I don't mean to build an identical destination , but for me that's how ideas get sparked. If people like going, and returning to those spots, hopefully they will do the same in NH.

[pcmc]

This may be a bad idea but could grow into something.
For a winter attraction could one of those HUGE white inflatable buildings be erected ON the ice? It could offer hockey events, ice skating events- lessons, a flea market, any related sporting event, a snowmobile jamboree...
The cons- getting to it = plowing the ice for walkways after each snow, electricity to it, short unpredictable season, ect...and in violent storms they have deflated.
Sounds fun but maybe not realistic.

[jrc]

Don't forget, The Weirs does not exist in a vacuum. You want to attract $50,000 weddings, you compete with Meredith, concerts you have Meadowbrook, for arcades you have funspot, quaint downtown shopping you have Wolfeboro. Plus The Weirs and Laconia are too big to go small like Alton or Center Harbor. I'm pro-casino on libertarian grounds, but I think the ship has sailed on casinos single-handedly transforming an area.

The Weirs has the beach, the boardwalk, the train, the Mount, the Pier, Bike Week, the Drive-in, some small shops and arcades. Yes, some are not in their former glory, but it's a start to build on. To paraphrase Lee Iacocca, Laconia needs to lead, follow or get out of the way.

[pcmc]

NY had Woodstock.
NH could hold Weirsstock?

[kauriel]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

There is concern in the City of Laconia about what to do to improve the area and find solutions that are financially viable. I have attended meetings conducted by the Laconia Planning Department asking business owners and residents what they would like to see in the future and what they would like the area to look like. The last meeting I went to was held at the Weirs Beach hall next to the fire station and was well attended by local people with a vested interest in the Weirs Beach area.

"Maybe the best plan is to tear it all down and restart" Although that might be a great idea what would you tell the NH Veteran's Association or the owners of the not so attractive Weirs Beach properties that are to be torn down?


There are many of us who own business properties in the Weirs area that would be very happy to see improvements and make the area a year round destination. Finding the right ideas that are financially viable seems to be a very elusive task.

Are these meetings open to the general public/non-resident owners? I'm not a resident but I'm a local property owner with a vested interest in the area and I have taken some courses in city planning and community development.

[secondcurve]

My concern with the Weirs is that it has gotten steadily worse during a time when the economy has gradually improved while interest rates have remained historically low. In short, the past several years have been a good time to buy real estate, finance development projects, etc. Banks are lending and local tax receipts have trended up based upon a slow improvement in the economy. What happens if/when we hit another recession? The Weirs has suffered during a time when it should have been getting gradually better. Now is the time to do something and turn this once great area around. If it isn't done soon, it is quite possible the situation could get much, much worse when economic conditions falter.

[TiltonBB]

The last meeting I attended was open to everyone. There was a sign up sheet passed around but only to document who was there. Everyone that wanted to speak was given the opportunity to do so.

There is more information here:

http://www.epa.gov/dced/pdf/laconia.pdf

In my opinion substantial improvement of the Weirs area is a two part problem. The first issue is how to deal with or remove all of the eyesores that are there. You can imagine the public outcry from the owners of properties that have been there and provided support for their families for decades. Not all people will see the changes as an improvement. There will also be push back from people both in the Weirs Beach area as well as tourists that do not want to see change and enjoy things just as they are.

The second issue is to come up with a number of viable businesses that can afford the investment that will be necessary for construction and operation of a yet untested year round attraction. That will require a financial gamble that many will be unwilling to make.

But.......................If you have some good ideas I am sure the Laconia Planning Department would love to hear them!

[riverat]

When the weirs had the only venue in the area with Famous acts and dancing and it had the only arcade in the area and the only diverse eateries and drive-in and mainstays like the Mount and train it prospered.
Now the uniqueness is gone, Meadowbrook, funspot, eateries spread far and wide, but fortunately we still have the Mount and the train.
we cannot go back so we must go forward.

[Mr. V]

I can understand opposition to a casino as an engine to fuel area redevelopment; casinos have done nothing to improve Atlantic City.

Consider, then, some form of year round attraction that would have true drawing power: perhaps a museum of some type?

I was just in Las Vegas and enjoyed touring the National Atomic Testing Museum.

That was interesting, and unique due to the proximity of Las Vegas to the testing site.

I've no idea for a theme for a Weirs museum, but I suppose the concept is worth thinking about.

[kauriel]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

The last meeting I attended was open to everyone. There was a sign up sheet passed around but only to document who was there. Everyone that wanted to speak was given the opportunity to do so.

There is more information here:

http://www.epa.gov/dced/pdf/laconia.pdf

In my opinion substantial improvement of the Weirs area is a two part problem. The first issue is how to deal with or remove all of the eyesores that are there. You can imagine the public outcry from the owners of properties that have been there and provided support for their families for decades. Not all people will see the changes as an improvement. There will also be push back from people both in the Weirs Beach area as well as tourists that do not want to see change and enjoy things just as they are.

The second issue is to come up with a number of viable businesses that can afford the investment that will be necessary for construction and operation of a yet untested year round attraction. That will require a financial gamble that many will be unwilling to make.

But.......................If you have some good ideas I am sure the Laconia Planning Department would love to hear them!

Thanks for sharing! It's good to see that the city has had plenty of professional support!

The Weirs is great in that it has many family-friendly activities. In the summer kids love the arcades, go-karts, and drive-in and in the off-season you also have Fun Spot and Kellerhaus. I think a large family-friendly resort with an indoor water park would help attract more families to the area, particularly in the off-season. I'm not sure if Weirs Beach is considered too close to other indoor water resorts but I would think that it could potentially be considered an attractive area given close proximity to other family-friendly activities.

I would also suggest trying to attract some family-friendly restaurants and indoor activities (e.g, indoor playgrounds) to the Weirs area. Given the large number of kid-friendly attractions in the area it would be good to find ways to encourage families to stay longer and spend more.

[Resident 2B]

As far as an easy to do "starter" idea, the docks at the Weirs are designed for boats much narrower than today's boats. This makes it hard for folks to boat to the Weirs during boating season. A beamy boat can block several other boats from using the adjacent docking space.

If a few of the fingers were removed, so that the dock configuration became more like the Meredith docks, accessability would improve. Leave some of the docking the way it is today and restrict that docking to boats with a beam of 8' 6" or less and force the more beamy boats to the larger dock openings made by removing the fingers.

This is a "low hanging fruit" idea, something inexpensive and easy to do that would bring some fairly quick results.

R2B

[Resident 2B]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

.....

There is more information here:

http://www.epa.gov/dced/pdf/laconia.pdf

Thanks for this report. To me, this is a great start that I was totally unaware of. Any future meetings planned?

Thanks again,

R2B

[brk-lnt]

Originally Posted by Resident 2B

As far as an easy to do "starter" idea, the docks at the Weirs are designed for boats much narrower than today's boats. This makes it hard for folks to boat to the Weirs during boating season. A beamy boat can block several other boats from using the adjacent docking space.

If a few of the fingers were removed, so that the dock configuration became more like the Meredith docks, accessability would improve. Leave some of the docking the way it is today and restrict that docking to boats with a beam of 8' 6" or less and force the more beamy boats to the larger dock openings made by removing the fingers.

This is a "low hanging fruit" idea, something inexpensive and easy to do that would bring some fairly quick results.

R2B

Honestly, given some of the rest of the activity around the Weirs, I'm not super excited about tying up there and leaving my boat unattended. Those docks need to be completely rebuilt though if they want to draw any activity by boat.

[windsail]

Reading this thread is a little unsettling seeing we just bought a house in Laconia. My husband would come up with his family when he was young and always wanted to live here so here we are. We bought in a great neighborhood on Lake Winnisquam. I thought the downtown looked a little shady, but it has such promise. Here in NJ, Wildwood Beach was going down, and they took the old and made it new. People remembered the do op Hotels and dances so they brought them back but new and beautiful. it is doing very well. Perhaps if they turned our old memories into new ones it would bring back the people who loved the place as children. What I'm trying to say is people want to relive their old memories but with a clean, new, modern look. A six-flags type park would be great. And don't forget the skiing.

[Descant]

Look at the change in lifestyles. In the 50's a lot of lakeside motels were built and these fueled a lot of small restaurants and other family businesses. Nobody owned their own boat. By the 80's these motels and restaurants, with huge numbers of summer jobs, were no longer viable, so they went condo and everybody has their own boat.
So, if you are still defining the Weirs as a few hundred yards from the sign on Rt. 3 to the old Grange Hall, what do you have? Small lots, no parking and long walks pushing strollers and pulling kids. Today's businesses need large flat lots with lots of parking, or public transportation of sorts. Compare the present Funspot with their starting location on the second floor of Tarlson's Arcade building. Small operation, no parking grown to "world's largest" with lots of parking.

I agree that docks should be removed to improve accessibility, and that's cheap. A dock master would be a huge asset on busy days.

After that, redefine the Weirs as an area from McIntire Circle (that's really Gilford) north to the Meredith line, or maybe up to Funspot. There are some larger plots that could be developed if they needed a little less parking. Remember the double decker bus that Funspot ran at its own expense? A similar bus (or Molly the Trolley as in Wolfeboro) could run a circuit going up Rt 3, up and back past the train station, maybe to AKWA Marine (there's some new development $$ for the naysayers BTW) and up to the Winnipesaukee Museum, or Funspot. A couple of these on summer days so I could get a ride every ½ hour or so would be perfect.

Now I could come by boat and easily get to these remote sites, my kids could ride from my condo on Paugus Bay up to the beach or to some new attraction and the traffic would be much easier to deal with. The drive-in used to have benches down front and you could come by boat and walk in for a quarter. Everything could be attended by my kids with their baby-sitter or elder sibling.

Whether it’s a resort hotel or some other attraction, cheap, fun transportation is key. Think of how spread out Disney World is. They've made the bus, the boats, the train and the monorail part of the attraction, and you rarely think of the time and distance between parking or your hotel and the actual destination.

Summary: Redefine "the Weirs" and add great transportation.

[Orion]

Great ideas Descant. To make the transportation even more interesting, how about putting in dockage for a water taxi at strategic locations along your defined "Weirs" area and have that be a minimal fee ride to get from one location to another in addition to the trolly (which would be faster but not as much fun)?

[minni on winni]

Know I've said it before..going to say it again (just in case someone reading these can actually do something about the Weirs). There is nothing wrong with nostalgia. Look at the Weirs sign!!! I love seeing it lit up every spring to fall. The place should be brought back to the past by way of the future. An amusement park with rides parents/grandparents can enjoy and rides the kids would be excited about. I remember Paragon Park at Nantasket beach as a kid.Great summer fun! A casino would just create traffic woes! Having a water taxi would steal business from the Doris and the train. Maybe even the Mount. We wouldn't want that. The Weirs is a seasonal destination Weirs beach(ice in makes it that way.New England winters and all)
A seasonal destination that is done right can certainly draw people in. I vote nostalgia!!!!

[camp guy]

The post by Mr V is right on target. All one needs to do is look at the history of Hampton Beach to have insight into Weirs Beach. Hampton Beach had been a gem of a vacation spot, then, slowly, and then rather rapidly, things began to fall apart at the Beach, literally and figuratively. Frankly, it was no longer safe for a family to take a vacation there. There were roving gangs of undisciplined youths making it very uncomfortable for a family, and certainly not the place for children to be without their parents.

Then, all of a sudden, things began to change. Both the State and the Town poured a ton of money into the Beach and slowly, but surely, the conditions began to change. Merchants invested in their properties, the beach area was significantly cleaned up, the parking was improved, restaurants began to meet the needs of the vacationing public, and law enforcement was increased to make the area safer, less scarey to adults and safer for children.

This took time and investment, both in money and spirit, but it is paying off.

Now, all of the above having been said, I am not so naive to say that the Beach has become a "choir boy of virtue", but I am willing to say that it is now a place that draws huge crowds of all ages.

Could this happen at Weirs Beach (?), I don't know, it would take effort on all sides of the table to put together a Plan, stick to the Plan, and work togvether to improve Weirs to a place of enjoyment safety and entertainment.

[Misha888]

Originally Posted by RLW

Hasn't anyone taken a resent picture as to how it looks at the present time? I would love to see how the property looks vacant.

I'll take some tomorrow. Heading down that way for a Mothers Day cruise on the mount.

[MeredithMan]

....drove by there on Friday afternoon and it looks like they had just hydro-seeded where everything had been. So, at least it'll be a classy vacant lot....

[Buoy #67]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

http://www.weirsbeach.com/Largejpgs/nhvahistory.html has been there since sometime like 1924, and will probably still be there in 2124. In 1924 the large Weirs Hotel on-site burnt to the ground.

They have a number of seasonal, un-heated historic buildings, plus a campground, and I could never figure out exactly what purpose these serve, what is their use and whether these civil war ear buildings are a plus or a minus for the Weirs area?

According to an article in the LaDaSun a couple years ago, the NH Veteran's Assoc pays no property taxes to Laconia and makes most of its yearly income during bike week, from rental income from the vender tents placed on the grassy embankment above the sidewalk, and the rental income gets used for building and property maintenance and repairs.

Are these old historic un-heated and presumably un-used buildings a historic benefit to the area, or are they an eyesore .......I dunno .....what do you think?? Whatever they may be ........they will most likely be there for many many years to come. Is the NH Veteran's Assoc historic buildings and campground a plus or a minus for the area?

Maybe the NH Veterans Assoc would be interested in removing all these old historic structures to a new location and replacing them with a brand new casino designed along a Civil War style design similar to these old buildings, and the casino employees could dress up like the soldiers who fought the Civil War in blue and grey uniforms. It could be an historical replica Civil War era waterfront casino .... and power-up the local economy....with a year round casino business.

Great site, (Weirs beach), with great pictures... thank you !! Quite the history piece...

[TiltonBB]

Originally Posted by Orion

Great ideas Descant. To make the transportation even more interesting, how about putting in dockage for a water taxi at strategic locations along your defined "Weirs" area and have that be a minimal fee ride to get from one location to another in addition to the trolly (which would be faster but not as much fun)?

Several things that have been suggested have been tried and failed. It just gets back to either coming up with a year round solution or finding something that will generate enough revenue in 12 weeks to support 52 weeks of debt. Many people posting here only see this area from Memorial Day to Labor Day and don't understand what it is like at the lake for the rest of the year.

Water Taxi: Tried and Failed

Parasailing: Tried and Failed

SeaTow: Tried and Failed

Party Barge: Tried and Failed

Sailboat Tours: Queen of Winnipesaukee: Tried and failed.

I continue to wonder how the Mount Washington stays in business. Most days when I see it go by there does not seem to be enough people aboard to even pay for the fuel. I hope it is here forever. and I think that it is a great way for tourists to see the lake. but in reality it is one more example of the difficulty of operating a profitable business in the Lakes Region.

I do not mean to be negative but I do understand the difficulties that every business and property owner in the Weirs Beach area faces.

[Mr. V]

Would it be fair to say that in its heyday, the Weirs was packed not so much with locals, or folks who owned cabins and were here for long periods of time, but by day trippers and week-enders, usually from Massachusetts?

If so: can anything be done to bring them back?

[secondcurve]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

Several things that have been suggested have been tried and failed. It just gets back to either coming up with a year round solution or finding something that will generate enough revenue in 12 weeks to support 52 weeks of debt. Many people posting here only see this area from Memorial Day to Labor Day and don't understand what it is like at the lake for the rest of the year.

Water Taxi: Tried and Failed

Parasailing: Tried and Failed

SeaTow: Tried and Failed

Party Barge: Tried and Failed

Sailboat Tours: Queen of Winnipesaukee: Tried and failed.

I continue to wonder how the Mount Washington stays in business. Most days when I see it go by there does not seem to be enough people aboard to even pay for the fuel. I hope it is here forever. and I think that it is a great way for tourists to see the lake. but in reality it is one more example of the difficulty of operating a profitable business in the Lakes Region.

I do not mean to be negative but I do understand the difficulties that every business and property owner in the Weirs Beach area faces.

Please note that many other businesses in the other towns on the lake have learned to survive in the winter. Further, the price of land/buildings in the Weirs will fall until it is possible for businesses to become viable. It doesn't make sense that all the other businesses in towns on the lake can be viable and the Weirs' businesses can't.

[jmen24]

Originally Posted by secondcurve

Please note that many other businesses in the other towns on the lake have learned to survive in the winter. Further, the price of land/buildings in the Weirs will fall until it is possible for businesses to become viable. It doesn't make sense that all the other businesses in towns on the lake can be viable and the Weirs' businesses can't.

All the other lakeside towns transitioned themselves away from being a summer only stop years ago. The Weirs never got the memo, coupled with a higher than average accumulation of summer only businesses, makes it a harder nut to crack.

Who wants to be the only 4-season business in a 1-season town. You need a group of investors to come to the table at the same time to create a core in which to build out from. As more and more property becomes vacant and run down, this gets closer to reality.

Hopefully your favorites can hold on until that point in time, but smart investors are not going to just throw money at that area until they feel certain that it is going to produce a high return. That will require a weight shift in the area of those on board with the change vs those that want to minimize their investment against return.

You only need to look as far as Meredith to find two of the largest investors in this state that focus on hospitality. Neither of them have shown any signs of slowing down their growth. One of those gentlemen already has a large stake in the Weir's!

[Little Bear]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

Several things that have been suggested have been tried and failed. It just gets back to either coming up with a year round solution or finding something that will generate enough revenue in 12 weeks to support 52 weeks of debt. Many people posting here only see this area from Memorial Day to Labor Day and don't understand what it is like at the lake for the rest of the year.

Water Taxi: Tried and Failed

Parasailing: Tried and Failed

SeaTow: Tried and Failed

Party Barge: Tried and Failed

Sailboat Tours: Queen of Winnipesaukee: Tried and failed.

I continue to wonder how the Mount Washington stays in business. Most days when I see it go by there does not seem to be enough people aboard to even pay for the fuel. I hope it is here forever. and I think that it is a great way for tourists to see the lake. but in reality it is one more example of the difficulty of operating a profitable business in the Lakes Region.

I do not mean to be negative but I do understand the difficulties that every business and property owner in the Weirs Beach area faces.

Just to clarify: The founders and initial operators of the Queen of Winnipesaukee are close personal friends of mine. The Queen was a very successful operation when they owned it, and the boat was full on most cruises. They made a conscious decision to sell the business, and it was the subsequent owners and partners that perhaps "tried and failed". If the City of Laconia had the vision, fortitude and integrity that the initial owners of the Queen had, then Weirs Beach (and Laconia) would be on par with Portland, Maine or Burlington, Vermont. But alas, the exact opposite is true. Sadly, I think it will continue in a downward spiral and will ultimately look like a 3rd world country.

[pcmc]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

Several things that have been suggested have been tried and failed. It just gets back to either coming up with a year round solution or finding something that will generate enough revenue in 12 weeks to support 52 weeks of debt. Many people posting here only see this area from Memorial Day to Labor Day and don't understand what it is like at the lake for the rest of the year.

Water Taxi: Tried and Failed

Parasailing: Tried and Failed

SeaTow: Tried and Failed

Party Barge: Tried and Failed

Sailboat Tours: Queen of Winnipesaukee: Tried and failed.

I continue to wonder how the Mount Washington stays in business. Most days when I see it go by there does not seem to be enough people aboard to even pay for the fuel. I hope it is here forever. and I think that it is a great way for tourists to see the lake. but in reality it is one more example of the difficulty of operating a profitable business in the Lakes Region.

I do not mean to be negative but I do understand the difficulties that every business and property owner in the Weirs Beach area faces.

TiltonBB, I (we)appreciate the feed back, this can't be sugar coated, the facts rule.
With the Weirs being challenged with the single season troubles, could it be best to design the area to remain a single season area? It might be best to do one season really well, instead of four seasons just OK.
What if local business owner"s" that survive year round were to invest in summer attractions there?
Back to four season thoughts...Another thought (if it could be possible). I can't visualize the layout exactly, but could a strip of shops/diners/attractions be built at the boat docks level 'under' the boardwalk/sidewalk? The boardwalk/sidewalk would be widened and extended out over the lower level shops as a roof so you would be standing on the top of building and not affect the view at all OR affect any of the properties on the opposite side of the street. This could allow access for all seasons from the lake. Via foot, snowmobile, ice skates(?), ATV, boat, ect... The train station has a lower level so I think it may be possible.

[pcmc]

Originally Posted by Little Bear

Just to clarify: The founders and initial operators of the Queen of Winnipesaukee are close personal friends of mine. The Queen was a very successful operation when they owned it, and the boat was full on most cruises. They made a conscious decision to sell the business, and it was the subsequent owners and partners that perhaps "tried and failed". If the City of Laconia had the vision, fortitude and integrity that the initial owners of the Queen had, then Weirs Beach (and Laconia) would be on par with Portland, Maine or Burlington, Vermont. But alas, the exact opposite is true. Sadly, I think it will continue in a downward spiral and will ultimately look like a 3rd world country.

Very true, not everybody can make a success of what others can. It's never as easy as it looks.
If this is the result of city neglect, it's a complete shame.

[Woodsy]

The downward slide of the Weirs has many facets....

A state that treats Weirs beach like an orphan... unless of course its Bike Week, then its the Police Overtime Fund.

A city who has treated the Weirs like an orphan... taking the money but spending very little. Little to no plan for the future, grinding Bike Week into the ground.

Property owners in the Weirs who invest little or no money in the upkeep of their property or businesses.

A completely changed demographic. We once had booming motel business with a large turnover of vacationers weekly... now we have a large amount of condos with very little turnover. This means less $$$ for businesses in the Weirs.

The theory that property values will drop to the point where a year round business becomes viable is silly. There isn't a year round population to support a recreational/tourist business.

Meredith has done well because the city allowed NH Hospitality to essentially have a monopoly on the property around Meredith Bay. They did an awesome job with it no doubt. But there is very little to do there. You have some cool shops and some restaurants.

The Weirs needs a plan... and that's a very contentious issue. As we have seen in this thread, some people want family activities, of which the Weirs already has a few. Others, myself included would rather things be of an adult nature. Throw in some property owners who don't care at all. The city/state cannot make the Baldi family clean up that eyesore that was the Saloon. They cannot make any of the property owners do much of anything.

The end result is nothing changes.... until the rules/laws change. Until the city & state look at what they have and spend some $$$ to improve the area.

Woodsy

[jmen24]

I would say that the population would support a year round business. People just need to think outside the box.

Take Jay Peak for example, a run down property that was purchased for % of its value. Investors with forward thinking and the capital to realize the potential. How many people laughed when they heard about an indoor water park, now you have to reserve your spot days in advance to ensure access, anytime of the year! That area is far more remote than Laconia in regard to population grab. The Weir's is an investment gold mine, it just hasn't reached its value yet.

The lots in the Weir's are small, you need quite a few of them to make something worthwhile that has multi-demographic and multi-interest draw.

If you think that your property values are not dropping as your neighbors pave theirs lots one at a time, that's silly. It's happening and I guarantee that the people with a plan (and the capital to finance it) are watching and they won't be building single one-off independents.

Other than the property values, I agree with Woodsy completely. If I had a vested interest I would start looking at who has control over these decisions at the state and city level, because the ones with a hand in jar are certainly helping the decline along. Maybe that is what needs to happen, I don't know, but the water has a funky smell to it.

[Woodsy]

Jay peak had huge amounts of land and very few neighbors close by. They had the space and the water resources to build that water park. They also already had a ski mountain. If a waterpark were to be built in the area, I would look to Gunstock.

I live in the Weirs year round, and I can tell you without a doubt, its a ghost town in the winter. You have the Lobster Pound, Tower Hill Tavern and the Gringo and Looney Bin. The ONLY tourist type business open year round is Funspot. Everything else is boarded up.... In the winter people drive 45 minutes north to Lincoln... or to North Conway.

Even Meredith, with all of their NH Hospitality hotels, is a ghost town in the winter... with the obvious exception of Pond Hockey & Fishing Derby. I would love to know the occupancy rate in the Winter... my guess is 30% - maybe 40%.

You really only have a few pieces of property "in Play" at the Weirs and IMHO they are too small to make the Weirs a year round destination.

The Pier... been for sale forever. Minimal owner investment made to keep property up.

The Wide Open Saloon property.... but the Baldis didn't file a new site plan to rebuild on the old footprint within a year, so now the setbacks make the property very hard to build on.

The Waterslide property.... decent footprint with odd shaped sloped lot. Definitely buildable, perfect spot for a hotel. But the owner wants to lease it. You will see Beer tent & vendors there for bike week, maybe a clam shack in the yellow building. but little else.

The Surf Coaster property... been for sale forever. The city did vote in a zoning change to encourage a hotel complex there. But no nibbles.

The arcades.... minimal owner upkeep and while nostalgic, they are pretty run down.

The hotels 5 miles away in Meredith make it very hard for a hotel in the Weirs to be viable.

So what can the Weirs do different from Meredith and still attract people. My answer is the same that made the Weirs famous in the first place... Nightlife. Bars, restaurants, music venues. Give people a reason to come here. Relax the rules a little, let people walk around with liquor or beer (in plastic of course). Let the venues have outside music past 10:00pm. Maybe bend the rules so the Baldis or someone else can rebuild on the old Saloon footprint. Tax breaks to the property owners that do substantial upgrades to their properties... etc etc.

Woodsy

[4 for Boating]

I would have to agree that whatever goes there would need to be able to support itself over a short year.

I know it would be tough for any type of restaurant to survive but I always thought an A&W type drive-in would be great in the spot. Even a Sonic drive-in I suppose.

Too bad the season is so short in NH.

[Misha888]

For Sale or For Lease.

[jmen24]

The situation with the Weirs is not unique. Areas that have a huge asset (the lake, hence the Jay comparison) and get run down have a history of being transformed from the outside. I do not own property in the area, so my point of view does not take that into account, but I believe we can agree that it will likely get worse before it gets better.

[jrc]

I was riding around a few weeks ago and went by an empty Cheshire fairgrounds. Maybe this is the de-facto model for Weirs.

A few transient events and empty the rest of the time. Obviously we have bike week, now add a few smaller events and presto pocket full of money with no risk or investment.

It's not my ideal solution but it seems inevitable.

[SIKSUKR]

With regard to Jay Peaks water park, that was not Jays or local money financing that. Almost all of it was EB-5 money from non citizens that invest large amounts of money in return for citizenship. FWIW

[jmen24]

Agreed, the investment came from outside, as do most of these deals. Some are a waste of money due to a lack of innovative thinking (Ragged is a great example of this), they just throw money at an idea without thinking all through.

My point was that with the asset of the lake frontage, someone has their eye on that area and it is easier to purchase a large piece of the area, one small chunk at a time. Most people don't pay close attention to these sales, they get a bunch of hype and speculation in the beginning, people stop talking about it, then all of a sudden the lot gets cleared and sits in a holding pattern. These properties are owned by LLC's, which in this state can be owed by other LLC's or S-Corp's and there is no regulation on the length of that chain. Research could give insight on the common piece to this puzzle. There are 3 very large abutting pieces of property that fit and are under mutual control, despite what their tax cards read.

Even if it takes 20 years to fill in the puzzle, the water front is not going away and any current or future zoning can be navigated and worked around by a moderately competent individual, it just takes research and determination.

[glennsteely]

Irishfan, great post feeling of old time mems! I used to LOVE weirs! I litterally spent every minute (and cent) that I could there when I was a youngster. Lots and lots of memories! 😎😎👍

[Bostonian]

Originally Posted by Woodsy

Jay peak had huge amounts of land and very few neighbors close by. They had the space and the water resources to build that water park. They also already had a ski mountain. If a waterpark were to be built in the area, I would look to Gunstock.

I live in the Weirs year round, and I can tell you without a doubt, its a ghost town in the winter. You have the Lobster Pound, Tower Hill Tavern and the Gringo and Looney Bin. The ONLY tourist type business open year round is Funspot. Everything else is boarded up.... In the winter people drive 45 minutes north to Lincoln... or to North Conway.

Even Meredith, with all of their NH Hospitality hotels, is a ghost town in the winter... with the obvious exception of Pond Hockey & Fishing Derby. I would love to know the occupancy rate in the Winter... my guess is 30% - maybe 40%.

You really only have a few pieces of property "in Play" at the Weirs and IMHO they are too small to make the Weirs a year round destination.

The Pier... been for sale forever. Minimal owner investment made to keep property up.

The Wide Open Saloon property.... but the Baldis didn't file a new site plan to rebuild on the old footprint within a year, so now the setbacks make the property very hard to build on.

The Waterslide property.... decent footprint with odd shaped sloped lot. Definitely buildable, perfect spot for a hotel. But the owner wants to lease it. You will see Beer tent & vendors there for bike week, maybe a clam shack in the yellow building. but little else.

The Surf Coaster property... been for sale forever. The city did vote in a zoning change to encourage a hotel complex there. But no nibbles.

The arcades.... minimal owner upkeep and while nostalgic, they are pretty run down.

The hotels 5 miles away in Meredith make it very hard for a hotel in the Weirs to be viable.

So what can the Weirs do different from Meredith and still attract people. My answer is the same that made the Weirs famous in the first place... Nightlife. Bars, restaurants, music venues. Give people a reason to come here. Relax the rules a little, let people walk around with liquor or beer (in plastic of course). Let the venues have outside music past 10:00pm. Maybe bend the rules so the Baldis or someone else can rebuild on the old Saloon footprint. Tax breaks to the property owners that do substantial upgrades to their properties... etc etc.

Woodsy

Woodsy,

While these points are very good observations, it still doesn't really address what can be done in terms of turning around the area. As indicated before, there needs to be long range planning and identifying a certain goals they want to attain. For example, just going on the city's website, their master plan is dated 2007, which is 7 years old already and very much outdated. One thing they can do, and there is state and/or Federal money available is to do streetscaping (trees, median strip and etc). Allow street vendors along the boulevard, and have licenses available annually. Again these are not earth changing moves, but it will allow for a better experience during the summer months. Partner with local area institutions to do a "Weirs Weekend" and etc - Discounts at local eateries and etc. Again this is where the city and local leaders are failing... Being reactive rather than pro-active.

It's a shame I live and work in Boston - as I would LOVE to get involved in the planning and restoration of a great lakeside draw.

[thebix]

http://laconiadailysun.com/index.php...or-master-plan

Director outlines timeline for development of new Laconia Master Plan
Published Date Wednesday, 14 May 2014 12:52
LACONIA — Planning Director Shanna Saunders outlined a budget of some $120,000, consisting entirely of grants, and timetable of between 24 and 30 months for the preparation and completion of a new Master Plan to the City Council this week.

Saunders told the councilors that the 2014-2015 budget appropriates $20,000 for the Master Plan, which together with equal appropriations in 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 brings the total allocated for the project to $60,000. She explained that municipal funding would be offset in whole or in part by grants.

Saunders said that the Orton Family Foundation of Middlebury Vermont and Denver, Colorado has awarded the city $75,000 worth of in-kind technical services, including services, analysis, mapping, communication and outreach. The Carsey Institute of the University of New Hampshire, which administered the New Hampshire Listens program, has contributed similar services valued at $25,000. And the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation has underwritten the preparation of the Master with a cash grant of $20,000.

Saunders said that she expects to begin work on the Master Plan in June and complete the first four chapters of the plan — community character, land use, economic development and housing — in a year and aim to finish the other chapters — transportation, natural resources, cultural and historic resources and community facilities and services — by December 2016. State law recommends that municipalities revise their master plans every five to 10 years. The city last adopted its master plan in May, 2007.

[Happy Gourmand]

Sounds like they are planning to plan. That's akin to getting ready to get ready!
Many solid ideas have been presented, but the missing factor is money. What is really needed is a man (or woman) with a vision.....and the resources to implement on his ideas.
Master plans are great. You get a new one every 7 to 10 years according to the post above....at a current cost of about $20K.
And nothing changes.

[jmen24]

Originally Posted by The Phantom Gourmand

Sounds like they are planning to plan. That's akin to getting ready to get ready!
Many solid ideas have been presented, but the missing factor is money. What is really needed is a man (or woman) with a vision.....and the resources to implement on his ideas.
Master plans are great. You get a new one every 7 to 10 years according to the post above....at a current cost of about $20K.
And nothing changes.

And nothing changes, except that people feel better about it knowing there is a plan and they stop voicing their opinions on the internet for a few years.

I would like to know how you get on the list to be paid $20K to come up with one of these plans? A few of these a year and I could golf as much as I want!

[jmen24]

Personally I think I am going to purchase one of these open lots and put up a parking garage. Think of all the Bike Week vendors I could get in there. I would also be in a position to capitalize on the new master plan that will transform the area in 2017 or was that 2008.

[Orion]

Originally Posted by The Phantom Gourmand

Sounds like they are planning to plan. That's akin to getting ready to get ready!
Many solid ideas have been presented, but the missing factor is money. What is really needed is a man (or woman) with a vision.....and the resources to implement on his ideas.
Master plans are great. You get a new one every 7 to 10 years according to the post above....at a current cost of about $20K.
And nothing changes.

Exactly. The plan gets written, then sits on a shelf. It is unlikely it will have any vision regarding a commercial remake of the area. It will mostly just document what's existing. It will take entrepreneurs, not politicians to remake Weirs.

[Diver Vince]

Well there is an established formula when dealing with a blighted area to resurrect it like the proverbial phoenix rising from the ashes. Case in point, look at Atlantic City NJ. Will it happen in the Weirs? From my point of view, slim to none (and Slim has been spotted leaving the building).
Bottom line is this state needs money and I am mystified why the legislation does not approve legalized casino gambling.

[BroadHopper]

The owner of Paradise Club sum it up nicely as to the fate of the Weirs in a recent article about extending the days for the Bike Week beer tents.
'When the owners want to go left, the council goes right. When the owners wants to go up the council goes down'. Seems like the Weirs business owners are at their wit ends!

[Resident 2B]

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

The owner of Paradise Club sum it up nicely as to the fate of the Weirs in a recent article about extending the days for the Bike Week beer tents.
'When the owners want to go left, the council goes right. When the owners wants to go up the council goes down'. Seems like the Weirs business owners are at their wit ends!

I do not have any inside info on this, but this is not the first time I have heard the Laconia City Council is not one bit interested in helping to address the issues at the Weirs. What do these folks think their job is? They have to work with the local business. Otherwise, we get negative progress and that is exactly what we have at the Weirs.

I saw one plan to address the issues and to me these issues are accurate and clearly defined. Now I am hearing another study to establish another Master Plan. Why not continue to work within the framework of the active plan? Why does that not make sense? I hope the Laconia City Council is aware of the existing plan. So frustrating.

R2B

[tis]

I don't know many towns where the councils or planning boards try to make it easy for businesses. Do you?

[Mr. V]

Originally Posted by Diver Vince

Well there is an established formula when dealing with a blighted area to resurrect it like the proverbial phoenix rising from the ashes. Case in point, look at Atlantic City NJ. Will it happen in the Weirs? From my point of view, slim to none (and Slim has been spotted leaving the building).
Bottom line is this state needs money and I am mystified why the legislation does not approve legalized casino gambling.

As I understand it, legalized gambling in Atlantic City has done nothing to revitalize that seaside city. The ghetto still surrounds the casino enclave, the poor are still poor, nothing fundamental has changed. Please prove me wrong.

[pjard]

Originally Posted by Mr. V

As I understand it, legalized gambling in Atlantic City has done nothing to revitalize that seaside city. The ghetto still surrounds the casino enclave, the poor are still poor, nothing fundamental has changed. Please prove me wrong.

I am not really opposed to legalized gambling but it does nothing for the economy. I lived in CT for 15 years and I can say with 100% confidence it did nothing for the taxes I paid. In fact at one point, both casinos in CT were in chapter 11 and it actually cost the state money.

Rather than continute to bash Laconia I would like to know if anyone actually has any insight as to who/what may be interested in the property?

[fatlazyless]

While I hope this doesn't happen, a Dunkin Donuts may be interested in that spot and that would be a year round business similar to the other DD's in Meredith, Laconia, Ashland, Bristol, and Campton. DD had a store nearby in the mini mall behind the Weirs post office which closed up due to lack of business but this new location has much better visibility.

..... say-hey.....maybe DD could build a moving sign that features a volcano-coffee-donuts design to help put it on the local map and blend with the Weirs.

That could be a pretty good location for a Dunkin Donuts; better than the Meredith and Ashland spots what with all the locals from Meredith who go past it enroute to Wal-Mart and Lowe's.

While I never-ever or almost never-ever go to Dunkin Donuts myself, that location could be a good one for a viable successfull all year around DD ...... it seems like an easy home run for DD ....or maybe a double or a triple ....but at any rate a good spot for the them.

www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunkin'_Donuts ...... with 15,000 restaurants in 37 different countries .... and something like 7-billion dollars(?) in annual sales .....DD probably knows a good spot when it sees one and this seems like a great spot to me!

A Dunkin with a hillside waterfront view that looks down to welcome the sun every morning as the sun comes up over Governor's Island and the lake.

One donut costs something like 75-cents now which is pretty danged expensive for one lousy donut..... and with that fine waterfront view a DD would probably be an immediate hit with the Laconia Police Dept.

[RailroadJoe]

FLL Time for you to check out Dunkin Donuts. Last I knew they were 95 cents plus the 9% snack tax.

[Jeanzb1]

FLL: I paid exactly $1.00 for a DD donut at the Airport Deli DD in Gilford, not the 75 cents you made reference to. Outrageous!

[windsail]

It leaves a whole lot of big lake waterfront. That is where the millionaires buy. Perhaps not for cheesy places but the land is worth a lot. What does Alton, Meridith or even Wolfeboro have for kids? It's a great location on the lake. The lake and Mountains are what people come up for. Certainly not run down water slides. I have never seen a lack of boats in the area. Being new to the area I really don't know. But it seems like this may make a more attractive area, different but better. Does the land have to be sold as a business? No trees to cut. Laconia has a downtown, restaurants and stores that vacationers from other towns visit. Like I said I don't really know, just moved here.

[rander7823]

They paved paradise and put up a parking lot
With a pink hotel, a boutique, and a swingin' hot spot
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you got 'til it's gone
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot

Ooooh, bop bop bop
Ooooh, bop bop bop

[pjard]

Rander, that's funny! Counting Crows version was much better. Paul Warnick did a hell of good version one night at Patrick's too! This whole thread has gone haywire.

[Scott]

On a related note:

1.8

million

dollars.

http://www.beangroup.com/homes/NH/La...th/2134355232/

[Misha888]

Originally Posted by Scott

On a related note:

1.8

million

dollars.

http://www.beangroup.com/homes/NH/La...th/2134355232/

Maybe they can start a trolling company. CAP rate must be really good.

[HellRaZoR004]

Originally Posted by Scott

On a related note:

1.8

million

dollars.

http://www.beangroup.com/homes/NH/La...th/2134355232/

That place looks like a dump!

Pretty impressive on future taxes though :P

Tax Year : 2103
Taxes : $3,378.00