The Total Hospitality Solution – Roedel Companies gives you 40 years experience in commercial hospitality and government lodging, hotel development and construction management.
City planners OK riverfront hotel
By MARK HAYWARD, Union Leader Staff
June 25, 2004 - MANCHESTER -- City planners last night gave the go-ahead for a 125-room hotel that will look onto the future home of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. The Manchester Planning Board acted quickly on the matter, approving the six-story hotel after reviewing plans for it just two weeks earlier. Roedel Partners LLC plans to build the Hilton Garden Inn beyond the left field fence of a city-owned baseball stadium that will be built on land at the end of South Commerical Street.
Last night's action provides the final regulatory approval on the local level for the riverfront development, which includes the hotel, a 6,500-seat stadium, townhouses and high-rise condominiums.
Consulting engineer Bob Duval said owners still must receive drainage permits from state officials. The biggest holdup remains a dispute over the price for 16 acres of riverfront land where the hotel and 177 condos will be built.
"They intend to start construction just as soon as they can, after that (is resolved)," Duval said last night. Also, the Manchester Planning Board approved a merger of four separate parcels in the area, which was needed to facilitate a land swap that allows the riverfront project to move forward.
The swap involves Paul Blouin, owner of the Auto City business on South Bedford Street, and the city. Both parties will swap about a third-acre of land. The city will be able to build a road on the former Blouin land; Blouin gets frontage on the road, which leads to the riverfront site. "It's another piece of the puzzle on South Commercial Street," said Pamela Goucher, deputy director of planning and community development. The approval is subject to city officials working out details.
