Downtown Laconia Urban Renewal 2020

joey2665 · 10-03-2018, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Major

As the Big O would say, "you're making my point." If we want to invest in housing, including a substantial amount of Section 8 housing, then let's make that investment and reap the returns. However, FLL was looking for ways to improve downtown to attract people who would otherwise not go downtown. My wife does not shop downtown by herself because she feels unsafe. I know many, many people who feel the same way. I too would invest in rental units; however, at this point in time, I would never invest in ways to make downtown more attractive, including the Colonial Theater.

You missed my previous post. I do not and never purchase residential rental property. I own a large commercial building there so I am NOT making your point.

Major · 10-03-2018, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joey2665

You missed my previous post. I do not and never purchase residential rental property. I own a large commercial building there so I am NOT making your point.

There could be a variety of reasons why your commercial building is successful, having nothing to do with the vibrancy and attractiveness of downtown. My dad owns several commercial properties, but rents to entities that have nothing to do with selling goods or attracting customers. I would invest in those as well.

My point is that I would not use my or taxpayer money to invest in an attraction, such as a hotel or the theater. In today's economy, jumpstarted by the tax cuts and removal of barriers to business, it is not surprising that downtown has had a modicum of success. Is it sustainable? The City of Laconia has made its decision, invest in Section 8 housing and drug rehab facilities to generate a population to fill the Section 8 housing units. Laconia should focus on making money from these endeavors and spare us taxpayers of the pipedream of making Laconia a go to destination.

Shrimpbrain · 10-04-2018, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Major

There could be a variety of reasons why your commercial building is successful, having nothing to do with the vibrancy and attractiveness of downtown. My dad owns several commercial properties, but rents to entities that have nothing to do with selling goods or attracting customers. I would invest in those as well.

My point is that I would not use my or taxpayer money to invest in an attraction, such as a hotel or the theater. In today's economy, jumpstarted by the tax cuts and removal of barriers to business, it is not surprising that downtown has had a modicum of success. Is it sustainable? The City of Laconia has made its decision, invest in Section 8 housing and drug rehab facilities to generate a population to fill the Section 8 housing units. Laconia should focus on making money from these endeavors and spare us taxpayers of the pipedream of making Laconia a go to destination.

What are the Political Demographics of the people who are in charge of Laconia? That might answer a lot about what direction Laconia is going in. I believe one of them owns the Laconia Daily Sun. I also grew up in Laconia and as someone did mention " It is a ****hole ". As long as the same people are in charge NOTHING will change. Section 8 and Drug Rehabs.

fatlazyless · 10-04-2018, 09:28 AM

Laconia, NH is the one and only Laconia in the USA,and the www.laconialibrary.org is one super-duper library!

It is the only library around these here parts of New Hampshire that has a very costly, weekly subscription to the Value Line Investment Survey. With just a little bit of time and study, it can make your money grow, just like planting a perennial plant. With the Value Line, is just like painting by the numbers, and you end up with a masterpiece work or art, high powered portfolio …. budda-bing-bang-boom … Laconia!

Rich or poor, you is better off rich.

On Friday, September 15, 2016, candidate Donald J Trump made an evening campaign visit to the Laconia Middle School because he knew where to go to meet and greet with his supporters.

StevenGilford · 10-04-2018, 10:40 AM

As an outsider transplant to the area, I'm fully in support of revitalizing, regeneration and cultural improvement of downtown Laconia. It has the potential to be a very pretty, prosperous 'walking city' and it would be great to have a wider selection of bars and restaurants downtown.

The old buildings and architecture were amazing, it's a shame they were torn down.

Top-Water · 10-04-2018, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevenGilford

As an outsider transplant to the area, I'm fully in support of revitalizing, regeneration and cultural improvement of downtown Laconia. It has the potential to be a very pretty, prosperous 'walking city' and it would be great to have a wider selection of bars and restaurants downtown.

I tend to agree with you, but am suspicious when it comes to using tax dollars for stuff like this, when for the most part IMHO Laconia has not done the right things in past.

I don't have the answers either, and should not criticize. It just seems that with all the natural resources the area has, mainly the four big lakes and other things. That Laconia should be in a much better position already.

I know in my small town we are facing some of the same problems, but the leaders of the town are for now just taking baby steps. Knowing full well that the taxpayers are already strapped. And know without a doubt that they want to see a steady return on there monies (to possibly reinvest) and do not want to see anything thrown into a black hole without a return "just" because it will look nice.

IMHO is not just moving a few roads and side walks, but a change perhaps in the culture of the leadership so people have faith in taking on something like this.

Major · 10-04-2018, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shrimpbrain

What are the Political Demographics of the people who are in charge of Laconia? That might answer a lot about what direction Laconia is going in. I believe one of them owns the Laconia Daily Sun. I also grew up in Laconia and as someone did mention " It is a ****hole ". As long as the same people are in charge NOTHING will change. Section 8 and Drug Rehabs.

Here is a list of the Laconia City Council:

Edward Engler, Mayor
•Bruce Cheney, Ward 1
• David Bownes, Ward 2
• Henry D. Lipman, Ward 3
•Mark Haynes, Ward 4
•Robert Hamel, Ward 5
•Andrew Hosmer, Ward 6

Engler, Bownes, Lipman and Hosmer are left leaning. Hamel is pretty conservative. I'm not sure about Cheney and Haynes. The bottom line is that they will vote for anything that increases property tax revenue. So when a Section 8 housing project comes up for debate, they are apt to take the quick money. They don't seem interested in long term initiatives.

The state school property will be a good indication of what they value. I bet you'll see a lot of "affordable housing" in the plan.

Shrimpbrain · 10-04-2018, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Major

Here is a list of the Laconia City Council:

Edward Engler, Mayor
•Bruce Cheney, Ward 1
• David Bownes, Ward 2
• Henry D. Lipman, Ward 3
•Mark Haynes, Ward 4
•Robert Hamel, Ward 5
•Andrew Hosmer, Ward 6

Engler, Bownes, Lipman and Hosmer are left leaning. Hamel is pretty conservative. I'm not sure about Cheney and Haynes. The bottom line is that they will vote for anything that increases property tax revenue. So when a Section 8 housing project comes up for debate, they are apt to take the quick money. They don't seem interested in long term initiatives.

The state school property will be a good indication of what they value. I bet you'll see a lot of "affordable housing" in the plan.

Exactly. Liberals ruin everything to the ground. Chicago San Francisco, Seattle, San Diego. All are spiraling down and out of control for the easy dollar. Maybe in a hundred years Laconia will
change but in our lifetimes things will remain the same or worse.

fatlazyless · 10-04-2018, 08:25 PM

For maybe ten years or longer downtown Laconia was home to a very happening Goodwill 2nd hand store, and I used to go there a couple times per month. Now, Goodwill went and moved to a former Hyundai store in Belmont, and it is not as good as the old Laconia Goodwill.

The Salvation Army store in Laconia has a very happening hard cover book department, located in what was a walk-in vault complete with a big, heavy steel vault door. It is neat as a pin, organized, and well designed. Hard cover books from the 70's-80's'90's that have msrp of 20-30 dollars will sell for about $1.50 there. All sorts of hard cover books ..... is like a mini bookstore.

With Walmart, Lowe's, Hanniford's, TJ Maxx and Homegoods just a couple miles away in Gilford, it's not easy for retail to make it work in the downtown Main St area of Laconia?

The Saint Vincent dePaul 2nd hand store for clothes and furniture in Lakeport is a super-duper store.

Laconia has Irwin Marine, the biggest boat dealer in NH, and only 5-star Sea Ray dealer in New England.

Laconia has the Irwin Zone, a huge Ford-Mercury-Lincoln-Toyota-Scion-Hyundai dealer.

Politics don't really make any difference ...... whether the local Laconia government is run by either party ..... it's all about the individuals and what's possible ...... it's a tough challenge trying to get that downtown up and happening .... which is almost impossible.

As a camper from Camp Alton in 1964, I can recall getting bused to the Main St, Laconia, Playhouse to see a few different plays, always on a Thursday, including Lil' Abner, and Annie Get Your Gun, so getting the playhouse up and running will be nice.

Whoopsie-doopsie .......oopsie.......no........methinks I got it confused with the Rochester Playhouse?

So, you know that downtown Laconia is sooooo dead that even the Goodwill Thrift Store closed up and left town .......... now, that's pretty danged dead.

Who knows but just maybe a mortuary business, a funeral home, could be a good fit there, what with the downtown already being totally dead, it could be a great fit!

tis · 10-05-2018, 04:57 AM

That is one of my pet peeves when voting in local politics. They don't tell you if they are Republican or Democrat. So if they are an unknown political, you have no idea how they will vote. I thought Laconia used to be pretty conservative, but I guess it is changing???

joey2665 · 10-05-2018, 08:04 AM

This is an extremely interesting thread in the forum and I am really curious to hear from as many posters as possible. I just do not understand why FLL has to derail this thread with nonsense just to "poke the basket" and taking it off topic. It is extremely annoying. Sorry for the rant

Biggd · 10-05-2018, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joey2665

This is an extremely interesting thread in the forum and I am really curious to hear from as many posters as possible. I just do not understand why FLL has to derail this thread with nonsense just to "poke the basket" and taking it off topic. It is extremely annoying. Sorry for the rant

Because he has nothing else to do.

joey2665 · 10-05-2018, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biggd

Because he has nothing else to do.

Absolutely, It is really aggravating, this is an excellent topic

jetskier · 10-05-2018, 11:13 AM

The local economy is absolutely seasonal and highly dependent upon the influx of outside money. This represents a challenge for a number of businesses such as restaurants and hotels. In addition, there is less money coming in for boats etc... (the speed limit on the lake probably did not help this one).

I have been coming to the lake for 40 years (owned here for over 20 years). Back in the 80s there was the spend spend spend economy which brought money in from MA etc... Demographics have changed and the economy has changed.

So, some thoughts:

Create high paying jobs that don't rely on seasonality.
Limit growth the of infrastructure that is not supportive to economic growth (ex: section 8 housing).
Commission an economic development board comprised of successful entrepreneurs and business people with contacts outside of the region.

Just my 2 cents.

Jetskier

kawishiwi · 10-05-2018, 02:27 PM

...I think population is not enough, year round, to support much any 'industry' there beyond what is there now. Why manufacture anything new, from machines to software to brooms, there vs access to more employees & talent near Nashua, Manchester, Portsmouth, Concord, etc? Unless the summer influx can be extended into a year round draw its just really difficult for me to imagine how Laconia rises to the top of anyones list for new business.

jetskier · 10-05-2018, 02:57 PM

Don't have the skilled workforce, so it is difficult to attract new businesses.
Don't have the businesses to attract the skilled workforce.

There are advantages to the area:

Lifestyle afforded by the lake
Generally, reasonable cost of living....check Boston..off the charts.
No state income tax

There has to be a definitive catalyst to break the cycle. Right now, Laconia needs to build both the skilled workforce and attract the right businesses. Creating a university affiliation and a startup ecosystem would be one potential way to begin to break the cycle.

Just my 2 cents.

Jetskier

TiltonBB · 10-05-2018, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kawishiwi

...I think population is not enough, year round, to support much any 'industry' there beyond what is there now. Why manufacture anything new, from machines to software to brooms, there vs access to more employees & talent near Nashua, Manchester, Portsmouth, Concord, etc? Unless the summer influx can be extended into a year round draw its just really difficult for me to imagine how Laconia rises to the top of anyones list for new business.

I agree that the lack of employees to fill manufacturing positions is a big problem. Another thing that has a substantial impact on trying to manufacture anything in this area is the location of the state. The cost of shipping or transporting is substantially higher because we are located in the northeast corner of the country. That is why so many large manufacturing companies are located in the central part of the country.

jbolty · 10-05-2018, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

I agree that the lack of employees to fill manufacturing positions is a big problem. Another thing that has a substantial impact on trying to manufacture anything in this area is the location of the state. The cost of shipping or transporting is substantially higher because we are located in the northeast corner of the country. That is why so many large manufacturing companies are located in the central part of the country.

exactly. car companies were in the upper midwest because the iron was there. shoe factories could run in Manchester because they got power from the river. today a place like NH needs jobs that don't require natural resources or shipping product. Education, biotech or technology in general are the first that come to mind.

CruCon appears to be a huge success story and there could be others like it with a little encouragement

fatlazyless · 10-06-2018, 02:18 AM

About ten years ago, the city had a very nicely designed kayak/canoe/stand-up paddle board, hand carry launch ramp built on the Winnipesaukee River, opposite Sawyer's Jewelry, and I've never seen anyone use it?

It's just below the Avery Dam and close to the big intersection of Main St and Union Ave, or Routes 106 and 107.

Depending on time of year, dam outflow volume, and water temperature, the river is good fishing and very clean. About five different low clearance road over-passes or bridges cross over the run from the Avery Dam for 1 1/4 miles down to huge Lake Winnisquam, making a lot of the river unaccessable to many motor boats that will not fit under the low bridges.

Could be worth a look see for the local paddler looking for someplace new to explore ....... an urban river with old stone wall style embankments in the downtown, and earthen natural embankments just downstream from the downtown area.

www.downtowngymlaconia.com just recently opened, opposite the kayak launch ramp, so's maybe some of the athletically inclined may want to go hit the river on a sup ..... maybe sup yoga ..... and do that downward dog moving down river with the natural river flow .... you be paddl'n down dat river on a sup ..... low bridge ahead ..... got to kneel down to fit under dat bridge dere...... you be paddl'n down dat dere inner city lazy Winnipesaukee River ......mak'n some waves ...... yo!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winnipesaukee_River

Paddling the Winnipesaukee River, downstream from Laconia, in Tilton: 2:21, July 9, 2016; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXWFQp72NH4 ...... more out in the country than the Laconia downtown section ........this is below Lake Winnisquam, which has a dam.

Shrimpbrain · 10-05-2018, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tis

That is one of my pet peeves when voting in local politics. They don't tell you if they are Republican or Democrat. So if they are an unknown political, you have no idea how they will vote. I thought Laconia used to be pretty conservative, but I guess it is changing???

New Hampshire used to be Conservative.... However to many Left/Democrats have moved INTO this State and have changed it to a Liberal state. Lived here all my life and have seen the change, Just a shame.

Biggd · 10-03-2018, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joey2665

You missed my previous post. I do not and never purchase residential rental property. I own a large commercial building there so I am NOT making your point.

After years of owning residential rentals I will never own them anymore. Commercial rental property is so much easier and you can make them pay for everything.

jbolty · 10-03-2018, 12:37 PM

Retail is dead; everyone shops online. The only hope for any small downtown anywhere is for there to be something related to food, drinks or entertainment that can draw a crowd all year long and then maybe hope some of the spin off foot traffic might support some other type of small businesses in the area.

Some towns have been able to thrive with some sort of antique mall concept but that sort of thing seems to happen by accident rather than design.

joey2665 · 10-03-2018, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biggd

After years of owning residential rentals I will never own them anymore. Commercial rental property is so much easier and you can make them pay for everything.

Everything I own is NNN with national tenants or medical related except for downtown Laconia which because of the makeup of the building they are N leases. Residential is a huge headache

garysanfran · 10-03-2018, 01:02 PM

Best crab cakes I've had. Also got some beef stew for later and then went across the street to Blooms Variety Story...Holy cow! If you haven't been in this "antique" store, go on a Sat. afternoon when the trains are running upstairs.

Downtown has a certain charm, including Wayfarer, Greenlaw's music store etc., that you're not gong to get in a mall setting. I've gotta try The Local Eatery!

I like downtown Laconia a lot. It has potential. I did see some mendicants today...But I live in San Francisco.

Urban Renewalist · 10-03-2018, 06:48 PM

I appreciate everyone's responses. I'd like to make a couple points:

Perspective - to a person who doesn't use downtown Laconia regularly, it is easy to make the assumption that no one goes there. However, several hundred people live and work there already - Genesis Behavioral Health, the Clinic, Lakes Region Community Services, Bank of NH, City Hall, Rist Frost Shumway, the offices in the mills, the restaurants - Local, Hector's, Karma Cafe, Wayfarers, not to mention the businesses that line Main Street. The Allen Rogers apartments and River's Edge are modern housing complexes. Sunrise towers is expanding. The court, library, and post office are all located there. It's a 15 minute walk from 4 of the 5 city schools, and a twenty minute walk for perhaps half of the housing stock in the city. One could argue that downtown Laconia is looking stronger than anytime this century. Of course many of us don't use it. But many others do.

Opinions also depend on our values. As the name of this forum suggests, I imagine many of us are on this forum because the lake is our biggest priority. Waterfront homes command the same price as the cost of restoring the parking garage. The parking garage is already built. To tear it down would be to throw away a resource - like tearing down a waterfront cottage in order to build something larger than necessary. It requires more effort to renovate than to tear down and build new. That is a paradox of our culture. I value what we already have, and choose to put my time and energy into making what we already have better.

Regarding the Colonial Theatre, I think this is again a question of values. The benefit of any city - whether it's London or Laconia - is its cultural output. When people come together, we have more resources than when we are alone. A beautiful theatre that presents good performances is not just a benefit to taxpayers, it is a benefit to all people who wish to experience the products of our culture - plays, musicals, shows, concerts, performances, stage acts, perhaps a high school graduation, perhaps a city council induction ceremony. Some of us argue that it's too expensive to renovate the theatre - I argue it's too costly not to.

Finally, I do not propose this project to spur economic revitalization - it is meant to create an enjoyable urban experience for people who use downtown Laconia.

Economics are tied to the global market - we cannot stem the migration to southern NH, for they are closer to the Boston Metro. But if you do live in southern NH and commute to Boston Metro, I wonder how many people get to enjoy an urban experience in the communities where they live? I've said it before, that downtown Laconia is the largest urban area north of Concord in the state. At the end of the day, when the car is parked and the bills are paid, where do we enjoy our time? Perhaps it's at home in the living room. Despite all the material advantages of the sedentary lifestyle, the public sphere is a more compelling place to spend my time. But that is my opinion.

Regarding the costs - 3 million for the parking garage has been stated publicly in several news articles through the Daily Sun. 3 million for the Sawyer's Jewelry building I figured something like this - 40'x200' extension to the rear of the building at $250/sf = 2 million, plus one million for demolishing the front 25'x200' and renovations. Please let me know what a better estimate would be and how you got it.

Thank you.

10-04-2018, 09:28 AM	#4
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,955 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 307 Thanked 1,061 Times in 774 Posts	... Laconia, there's only one! Laconia, NH is the one and only Laconia in the USA,and the www.laconialibrary.org is one super-duper library! It is the only library around these here parts of New Hampshire that has a very costly, weekly subscription to the Value Line Investment Survey. With just a little bit of time and study, it can make your money grow, just like planting a perennial plant. With the Value Line, is just like painting by the numbers, and you end up with a masterpiece work or art, high powered portfolio …. budda-bing-bang-boom … Laconia! Rich or poor, you is better off rich. On Friday, September 15, 2016, candidate Donald J Trump made an evening campaign visit to the Laconia Middle School because he knew where to go to meet and greet with his supporters. __________________ .... Banned for life from local thrift store!

10-04-2018, 08:25 PM	#9
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,955 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 307 Thanked 1,061 Times in 774 Posts	..... a funeral home? For maybe ten years or longer downtown Laconia was home to a very happening Goodwill 2nd hand store, and I used to go there a couple times per month. Now, Goodwill went and moved to a former Hyundai store in Belmont, and it is not as good as the old Laconia Goodwill. The Salvation Army store in Laconia has a very happening hard cover book department, located in what was a walk-in vault complete with a big, heavy steel vault door. It is neat as a pin, organized, and well designed. Hard cover books from the 70's-80's'90's that have msrp of 20-30 dollars will sell for about $1.50 there. All sorts of hard cover books ..... is like a mini bookstore. With Walmart, Lowe's, Hanniford's, TJ Maxx and Homegoods just a couple miles away in Gilford, it's not easy for retail to make it work in the downtown Main St area of Laconia? The Saint Vincent dePaul 2nd hand store for clothes and furniture in Lakeport is a super-duper store. Laconia has Irwin Marine, the biggest boat dealer in NH, and only 5-star Sea Ray dealer in New England. Laconia has the Irwin Zone, a huge Ford-Mercury-Lincoln-Toyota-Scion-Hyundai dealer. Politics don't really make any difference ...... whether the local Laconia government is run by either party ..... it's all about the individuals and what's possible ...... it's a tough challenge trying to get that downtown up and happening .... which is almost impossible. As a camper from Camp Alton in 1964, I can recall getting bused to the Main St, Laconia, Playhouse to see a few different plays, always on a Thursday, including Lil' Abner, and Annie Get Your Gun, so getting the playhouse up and running will be nice. Whoopsie-doopsie .......oopsie.......no........methinks I got it confused with the Rochester Playhouse? So, you know that downtown Laconia is sooooo dead that even the Goodwill Thrift Store closed up and left town .......... now, that's pretty danged dead. Who knows but just maybe a mortuary business, a funeral home, could be a good fit there, what with the downtown already being totally dead, it could be a great fit! __________________ .... Banned for life from local thrift store! Last edited by fatlazyless; 10-05-2018 at 03:14 AM.

10-05-2018, 11:13 AM	#14
jetskier Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: North Reading, MA and South Down Shores Posts: 855 Thanks: 58 Thanked 183 Times in 114 Posts	Back on Track The local economy is absolutely seasonal and highly dependent upon the influx of outside money. This represents a challenge for a number of businesses such as restaurants and hotels. In addition, there is less money coming in for boats etc... (the speed limit on the lake probably did not help this one). I have been coming to the lake for 40 years (owned here for over 20 years). Back in the 80s there was the spend spend spend economy which brought money in from MA etc... Demographics have changed and the economy has changed. So, some thoughts: Create high paying jobs that don't rely on seasonality. Limit growth the of infrastructure that is not supportive to economic growth (ex: section 8 housing). Commission an economic development board comprised of successful entrepreneurs and business people with contacts outside of the region. Just my 2 cents. Jetskier

10-05-2018, 02:27 PM	#15
kawishiwi Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 519 Thanks: 227 Thanked 167 Times in 108 Posts	Could be really tough... ...I think population is not enough, year round, to support much any 'industry' there beyond what is there now. Why manufacture anything new, from machines to software to brooms, there vs access to more employees & talent near Nashua, Manchester, Portsmouth, Concord, etc? Unless the summer influx can be extended into a year round draw its just really difficult for me to imagine how Laconia rises to the top of anyones list for new business. __________________ "I don't take responsibility at all."

10-05-2018, 02:57 PM	#16
jetskier Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: North Reading, MA and South Down Shores Posts: 855 Thanks: 58 Thanked 183 Times in 114 Posts	Catch 22 Don't have the skilled workforce, so it is difficult to attract new businesses. Don't have the businesses to attract the skilled workforce. There are advantages to the area: Lifestyle afforded by the lake Generally, reasonable cost of living....check Boston..off the charts. No state income tax There has to be a definitive catalyst to break the cycle. Right now, Laconia needs to build both the skilled workforce and attract the right businesses. Creating a university affiliation and a startup ecosystem would be one potential way to begin to break the cycle. Just my 2 cents. Jetskier

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10-04-2018, 10:40 AM	#5
StevenGilford Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 138 Thanks: 15 Thanked 48 Times in 29 Posts	As an outsider transplant to the area, I'm fully in support of revitalizing, regeneration and cultural improvement of downtown Laconia. It has the potential to be a very pretty, prosperous 'walking city' and it would be great to have a wider selection of bars and restaurants downtown. The old buildings and architecture were amazing, it's a shame they were torn down.

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10-05-2018, 04:57 AM	#10
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,845 Thanks: 764 Thanked 1,474 Times in 1,029 Posts	That is one of my pet peeves when voting in local politics. They don't tell you if they are Republican or Democrat. So if they are an unknown political, you have no idea how they will vote. I thought Laconia used to be pretty conservative, but I guess it is changing???

10-05-2018, 08:04 AM	#11
joey2665 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Meredith Bay & LI, NY Posts: 3,222 Thanks: 1,219 Thanked 1,009 Times in 649 Posts	This is an extremely interesting thread in the forum and I am really curious to hear from as many posters as possible. I just do not understand why FLL has to derail this thread with nonsense just to "poke the basket" and taking it off topic. It is extremely annoying. Sorry for the rant

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10-06-2018, 02:18 AM	#19
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,955 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 307 Thanked 1,061 Times in 774 Posts	Winnipesaukee River, an urban river About ten years ago, the city had a very nicely designed kayak/canoe/stand-up paddle board, hand carry launch ramp built on the Winnipesaukee River, opposite Sawyer's Jewelry, and I've never seen anyone use it? It's just below the Avery Dam and close to the big intersection of Main St and Union Ave, or Routes 106 and 107. Depending on time of year, dam outflow volume, and water temperature, the river is good fishing and very clean. About five different low clearance road over-passes or bridges cross over the run from the Avery Dam for 1 1/4 miles down to huge Lake Winnisquam, making a lot of the river unaccessable to many motor boats that will not fit under the low bridges. Could be worth a look see for the local paddler looking for someplace new to explore ....... an urban river with old stone wall style embankments in the downtown, and earthen natural embankments just downstream from the downtown area. www.downtowngymlaconia.com just recently opened, opposite the kayak launch ramp, so's maybe some of the athletically inclined may want to go hit the river on a sup ..... maybe sup yoga ..... and do that downward dog moving down river with the natural river flow .... you be paddl'n down dat river on a sup ..... low bridge ahead ..... got to kneel down to fit under dat bridge dere...... you be paddl'n down dat dere inner city lazy Winnipesaukee River ......mak'n some waves ...... yo! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winnipesaukee_River Paddling the Winnipesaukee River, downstream from Laconia, in Tilton: 2:21, July 9, 2016; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXWFQp72NH4 ...... more out in the country than the Laconia downtown section ........this is below Lake Winnisquam, which has a dam. __________________ .... Banned for life from local thrift store! Last edited by fatlazyless; 10-15-2018 at 03:38 AM.

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10-03-2018, 12:37 PM	#22
jbolty Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 677 Thanks: 325 Thanked 258 Times in 154 Posts	Retail is dead; everyone shops online. The only hope for any small downtown anywhere is for there to be something related to food, drinks or entertainment that can draw a crowd all year long and then maybe hope some of the spin off foot traffic might support some other type of small businesses in the area. Some towns have been able to thrive with some sort of antique mall concept but that sort of thing seems to happen by accident rather than design.

10-03-2018, 01:02 PM	#24
garysanfran Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: San Francisco/Meredith Posts: 1,594 Thanks: 690 Thanked 684 Times in 350 Posts	Stopped by Local Provisions today....Blooms Variety Best crab cakes I've had. Also got some beef stew for later and then went across the street to Blooms Variety Story...Holy cow! If you haven't been in this "antique" store, go on a Sat. afternoon when the trains are running upstairs. Downtown has a certain charm, including Wayfarer, Greenlaw's music store etc., that you're not gong to get in a mall setting. I've gotta try The Local Eatery! I like downtown Laconia a lot. It has potential. I did see some mendicants today...But I live in San Francisco. __________________ Gary ~~~~_/) ~~~ ~~~~~~~~

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joey2665 (10-03-2018)

10-03-2018, 06:48 PM	#25
Urban Renewalist Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 5 Thanks: 5 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I appreciate everyone's responses. I'd like to make a couple points: Perspective - to a person who doesn't use downtown Laconia regularly, it is easy to make the assumption that no one goes there. However, several hundred people live and work there already - Genesis Behavioral Health, the Clinic, Lakes Region Community Services, Bank of NH, City Hall, Rist Frost Shumway, the offices in the mills, the restaurants - Local, Hector's, Karma Cafe, Wayfarers, not to mention the businesses that line Main Street. The Allen Rogers apartments and River's Edge are modern housing complexes. Sunrise towers is expanding. The court, library, and post office are all located there. It's a 15 minute walk from 4 of the 5 city schools, and a twenty minute walk for perhaps half of the housing stock in the city. One could argue that downtown Laconia is looking stronger than anytime this century. Of course many of us don't use it. But many others do. Opinions also depend on our values. As the name of this forum suggests, I imagine many of us are on this forum because the lake is our biggest priority. Waterfront homes command the same price as the cost of restoring the parking garage. The parking garage is already built. To tear it down would be to throw away a resource - like tearing down a waterfront cottage in order to build something larger than necessary. It requires more effort to renovate than to tear down and build new. That is a paradox of our culture. I value what we already have, and choose to put my time and energy into making what we already have better. Regarding the Colonial Theatre, I think this is again a question of values. The benefit of any city - whether it's London or Laconia - is its cultural output. When people come together, we have more resources than when we are alone. A beautiful theatre that presents good performances is not just a benefit to taxpayers, it is a benefit to all people who wish to experience the products of our culture - plays, musicals, shows, concerts, performances, stage acts, perhaps a high school graduation, perhaps a city council induction ceremony. Some of us argue that it's too expensive to renovate the theatre - I argue it's too costly not to. Finally, I do not propose this project to spur economic revitalization - it is meant to create an enjoyable urban experience for people who use downtown Laconia. Economics are tied to the global market - we cannot stem the migration to southern NH, for they are closer to the Boston Metro. But if you do live in southern NH and commute to Boston Metro, I wonder how many people get to enjoy an urban experience in the communities where they live? I've said it before, that downtown Laconia is the largest urban area north of Concord in the state. At the end of the day, when the car is parked and the bills are paid, where do we enjoy our time? Perhaps it's at home in the living room. Despite all the material advantages of the sedentary lifestyle, the public sphere is a more compelling place to spend my time. But that is my opinion. Regarding the costs - 3 million for the parking garage has been stated publicly in several news articles through the Daily Sun. 3 million for the Sawyer's Jewelry building I figured something like this - 40'x200' extension to the rear of the building at $250/sf = 2 million, plus one million for demolishing the front 25'x200' and renovations. Please let me know what a better estimate would be and how you got it. Thank you.