Wide Open saloon Weirs beach

[crowsnest]

Does anyone know if they did anything with the burt saloon or have any plans for it. I hope they rebuild or knock it down before tourist season starts this year !

[fatlazyless]

No signs of demolition-repair-reconstruction since the day of the fire at the Wide Open Saloon. Since the fire happened, a temporary chain link fence was installed around the perimeter and the burnt out wreck is probably waiting for a friendly insurance company to show up with a big bucket of 100-dollar bills to get a reconstruction project all engaged up.

So, where is the money, where-where-where, to make something start to happen down at the Wide Open Saloon? I have absolutely no clue what-so-ever but nothing is happening with the burnt out wreck which took place on September 17, 2010.

There's another thread on the fire at the Wide Open Saloon started on the day of the fire which has a video link to the fire from WMUR.

[VitaBene]

The entire Weirs needs a do-over! where is that master plan they have been talking about?

[fatlazyless]

Here's some new construction happening at the Weirs area. Over on nearby Scenic Drive, just up the hill and beyond a trailer park about one half mile from the seasonally closed Weirs the Beef store, the www.meredithbaynh.com has been doing extensive earth moving and sitework all winter long. Looking in their website, they have a number of proposed two bedroom-three bathroom townhouses overlooking the waterfront at 629 Scenic Drive with asking price in the range of 500 to 600 thousand dollars.

The site is located on a Weirs Beach Scenic Drive hilltop site that used to be home to a well known restaurant years ago, so I have been told. It is situated between the Scenic Drive and the waterfront railroad tracks which is within the City of Laconia.

Last time I drove past about two weeks ago, they were drilling and doing sitework with some big earth moving Caterpillar machines, and none of the townhouse construction had been started. Probably, the townhouse construction will be starting up soon?

[Jmo77011]

Does anyone actually buy these homes? It seems like these developements have popped up all over the place, but especially in the Weirs and Meredith areas. For the most part, they look empty...and that's when the developments are actually finished!

[Channel Pirate]

Just add it to the collection of local run down, eye sore Baldi properties.

[sa meredith]

I made a trip up to the lake Thurs/Frid...and noticed a few things, while heading over to Crazy Gringos.
I was surprised to see the burned out building just sitting there, untouched. What an eye sore.
The bbq type shop at the end of the Weirs Strip is gone after just one season. Building is now empty. Seems like a a pretty solid location.
There is real estate sign in the window of the place next door to Gringos (Paradise Club???). Wondering if they are folding up?

[Woodsy]

SA...

The owner of the Paradise always puts it up for sale... but they will reopen in may.... same goes for Weirs the Beef. Tommy will be back from FL in a few weeks!

I dont think ANYTHING is going to happen at the Wide Open Saloon... rumor up here is they are still under investigation.... and the ins co hasnt paid out because of it.... but thats just hearsay!

Woodsy

[sa meredith]

SA...

The owner of the Paradise always puts it up for sale... but they will reopen in may.... same goes for Weirs the Beef. Tommy will be back from FL in a few weeks!

I dont think ANYTHING is going to happen at the Wide Open Saloon... rumor up here is they are still under investigation.... and the ins co hasnt paid out because of it.... but thats just hearsay!

Woodsy

No, no...WTB is still there, in the old store building.
I'm talking about the place where the roof collapsed a few years back. It was a pizza place for a bit, and last year it was a bbq type place. Just empty now.

[angela4design]

There have been a few postings on Facebook...

I know I havent been on here much...It's still hard. No progress yet, Although I do have a few ideas. Lots of meetings with insurance and contractors. Unforunatly I am grossly underinsured, so more than Likely I will not be able to rebuild as big as I would like. Trying to remain optimistic though !
October 11, 2010 at 2:36pm

I am very sad to say that the Wide Open Saloon will not be open in time for the 2011 season. I Have not given up yet, but have hit many MANY bumps in my road to rebuild and recover from such a heart braking lose.
February 11 at 9:59am

[Winniboater81]

IDK I live in the weirs, and the smokehouse used to busy years ago. In the last few years nobody goes there. This past summer, the place was a ghost town...weird how it burnt down after the summer...after they tried to make it work.

[corollaman]

Hope they do something with it soon, before bike week and the tourist season too. it's such an eyesore, just like most of the weirs. The whole weirs needs a makeover.

[4Fun]

No, no...WTB is still there, in the old store building.
I'm talking about the place where the roof collapsed a few years back. It was a pizza place for a bit, and last year it was a bbq type place. Just empty now.


Boy I hope they will open again. They had the best pulled pork burrito.

[crowsnest]

Hope they do something with it soon, before bike week and the tourist season too. it's such an eyesore, just like most of the weirs. The whole weirs needs a makeover.

Maybe knock it down and put up a hot dog stand till they figure it out !

[no-engine]

Here's some new construction happening at the Weirs area. Over on nearby Scenic Drive, just up the hill and beyond a trailer park about one half mile from the seasonally closed Weirs the Beef store, the www.meredithbaynh.com has been doing extensive earth moving and sitework all winter long. Looking in their website, they have a number of proposed two bedroom-three bathroom townhouses overlooking the waterfront at 629 Scenic Drive with asking price in the range of 500 to 600 thousand dollars.

The site is located on a Weirs Beach Scenic Drive hilltop site that used to be home to a well known restaurant years ago, so I have been told. It is situated between the Scenic Drive and the waterfront railroad tracks which is within the City of Laconia.

Last time I drove past about two weeks ago, they were drilling and doing sitework with some big earth moving Caterpillar machines, and none of the townhouse construction had been started. Probably, the townhouse construction will be starting up soon?

Not only a restaurant, it was a motel! Before they started work, you could actually in the concrete that there were strip motel units!

The new units will be kind of "cliff-hangers", as I imagine, having walked around several years ago. It used to be a nice stop/rest site, when bicycling the rail tracks with a "mountain-hybrid bike", mixed with side roads.

[no-engine]

Hope they do something with it soon, before bike week and the tourist season too. it's such an eyesore, just like most of the weirs. The whole weirs needs a makeover.

Some recent snow made the roof in back cave in. More neglect.
Seems, as another wrote, Baldi family will figure a way!

[6meter]

IDK I live in the weirs, and the smokehouse used to busy years ago. In the last few years nobody goes there. This past summer, the place was a ghost town...weird how it burnt down after the summer...after they tried to make it work.
I have to agree here. I used to be at the Smokehouse atleast one night per weekend. Friday and Saturday very busy. But with live entertainment. Went on a August saturday night last summer, three tables occupied outside and none inside, and I was one of them. No live entertainment due to the towns regulations on sprinkler systems or something.

[VitaBene]

From LaDaSun:


LACONIA — The city's code enforcement officer will ask the City Council for permission to order the demolition what's left of the Wide Open Saloon — a Weirs Beach landmark ravaged by fire last September.

Enforcement Officer Bill Stewart said Monday the statutory procedure for ordering the building's demolition begins with an order from the council. He said the owners have 20 days to either make demolition arrangements or petition against the order to Belknap County Superior Court.

Likewise, if the order is not challenged but still disobeyed, Stewart said the city would be forced into court.

"It is very unsafe and very dangerous," Stewart said, noting that the owners have surrounded the property with a fence.

According to City Manager Eileen Cabanel, city officials are especially concerned that the building will not be torn down before annual Motorcycle Week in June.

She said Fire Chief Ken Erickson has repeatedly made his concerns about safety of the building known and she gave the code enforcement officer the authority to contact the city attorney for directions to order its demolition.

His recommendations will be considered by the council on Monday night.

[Rusty]

You can read the article in today's LDS (http://www.laconiadailysun.com/files/pdfarchivenew/LaconiaPDF/2011/04_April/6L.pdf)

http://localhostr.com/file/UStFce2/saloon.JPG

[fatlazyless]

So, what happens to the empty lot after the burnt out Wide Open Saloon gets demolished and leveled? Just across the intersection there's a large empty lot that used to be home to Karl's Fine Foods which burnt down in October, 2005.

It's my guess that it remains an empty lot that's is available for sale for a long time, just like Karl's, and still responsible for an expensive semi-annual property tax bill.


Would a bank make a loan for construction of a new hotel in that location? Would a successful chain like a Dunkin Donuts, KFC, or Walgreen want to build there? Who knows....maybe the answer is yes and a Dunkin would be interested? After it gets leveled.....then what happens.....probably nothing except for a posting a 'for sale' sign and Bike Week vendor space.

Are the three different commercial business electronic, brightly colored, moving signs, all located near the former Wide Open Saloon, a positive or a negative for that commercial area down at the 'malfunction junction?'

[mcdude]

From the Laconia Citizen (4/7/11)
http://www.citizen.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=FD&Date=20110407&Category=GJNEWS02&ArtNo=704079644&Ref=AR&MaxW=250

Weirs anxious to see building razed
<SCRIPT>document.title = unescape("Weirs%20anxious%20to%20see%20building%20razed") + " - Fosters";</SCRIPT>
LACONIA — As they get ready for what hopefully will be a successful 2011 tourist season, business owners in The Weirs are buoyed by the city's decision to seek the demolition of a burned-out building at the entrance to the resort area.

At next Monday's City Council meeting, Code Enforcement Officer Bill Stewart is expected to ask for permission to order that the Wide Open Saloon, which was heavily damaged in a three-alarm fire on Sept. 17, 2010 — be razed.

The building at 38 Endicott Street North is owned by Brandi Baldi, who was unavailable for comment on Wednesday.

Built in 1886 as the Aquedoktan Hotel, the saloon first catered to visitors who came to The Weirs for reunions of Civil War veterans. With 30 rooms, the Aquedoktan was among the largest in the area.

Before becoming the Wide Open Saloon in 2010, the property had been known as the Weirs Beach Smoke House and was a popular destination for visitors, especially during Bike Week.

For several years, the Smoke House and its former, late owner Deb Tumey held a reception before the annual lighting of the Weirs Beach sign across the street on Lakeside Avenue. The lighting of the sign marks the unofficial start of the tourist season.

That lighting won't take place this year, at least not until the Wide Open Saloon is leveled and the lot it sits on is cleared, said Tom Pucci, the president of the Weirs Action Committee, which annually sponsors the sign lighting ceremony and uses the opportunity to promote The Weirs.

With the hulk of the Wide Open Saloon looming from just across the street, the WAC will postpone the ceremony, or light up the sign without fanfare, said Pucci.

"We feel it is in appropriate to kick off a tourist season with that as a backdrop," he said, adding that several people who last year visited his business, the Grandview Motel and Cottages, "asked if that building was taken down."

"I do hope that the city can move swiftly. There's a groundswell of support for the city to hold a business accountable that is at the crossroads of our tourist season. It's just something that is a hazard and an attractive nuisance."

Fred Clausen, owner of Proctor's Lakehouse Cottages on Weirs Boulevard, echoed Pucci's sentiments.

"I'm very happy with the direction the city is taking," he said. "I wish it had been done sooner."

Ward 1 City Councilor Ava Doyle, who with her husband David owns and operates Sun Valley Cottages, agreed that "everybody is concerned why it (the Wide Open Saloon) is still there. It's one of the entrances to The Weirs and with summer coming, we always try to put our best foot forward and it's certainly not our best foot at the moment."

Doyle, whose district covers most of The Weirs, said she's had a fire in her own business and "I can certainly understand what's involved in demolition and repair," adding, however, that she was "out of the loop" as to what unique challenges Baldi may be facing.

While they look forward to improvements at the Wide Open Saloon site, Pucci and Clausen are also looking forward to their respective opening days. The Grandview will open for the season next week; Proctor's on May 12 in time for the Winnipesaukee Fishing Derby.

"I think we're going to have a terrific season as long as the weather cooperates," said Pucci. Inquiries and reservations have been coming in from the United Kingdom, France, Germany and from across the U.S., he said, adding that some have been drawn by new nearby attractions, including the "Monkey Trunks" high rope and zip line at Funspot and the wilderness adventure park at Gunstock Mountain Resort, both of which are expected to be online this season.

An additional race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway will also mean more visitors to The Weirs and the Lakes Region in general, said Pucci, who also thinks a New England-wide Mustang car show scheduled for the weekend after Labor Day will prove very successful.

Clausen said that after a "miserable" 2009, when the slumping economy hit his business the hardest, 2011 was shaping up to be incrementally better than 2010.

"We're about 10 percent ahead of last year's bookings which were about 10 percent ahead of the year before. It's looking like a good season, not a great season, but it's early."

Both Clausen and Pucci said that in addition to the weather, the other factor in whether they and their colleagues in the tourist trade have profitable seasons is the price of gasoline.

"People may come here and maybe not go further north," Clausen speculated with Pucci adding that "a lot of people do like that one-tank-of-gas-away vacation."

High gas prices several years ago prompted an increase in "stay-cations" — where people stayed at or close to home — and something similar could happen in 2011, said Pucci.

"Not that we're pleased to see the gas prices the way they are, but it's just a funny reaction. It could keep people from traveling greater distances."



Old image of the Aquedoktan Hotel
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/15038/medium/20scanWEIRSaquedoktan1897.jpg
"The Aquedoktan, later known as The Eden Roc, became popular gathering spot for Weirs area businessmen as well as bands that played at Irwin's Winnipesaukee Gardens, including Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton and Count Basie. The bands stayed right there and would often close the bar on Tuesday nights and be there when it reopened on Wednesday,” recalls Lawton."

More Pics click here....
http://www.weirsbeach.com/Largejpgs/aquedoctanhotel.html

http://www.weirsbeach.com/media2010/misc/hotelfire.jpg

[ronc4424]

The Laconia City Council last night ordered the building demolished by May 6th. It will be interesting to see what happens.

[PapaDon]

The Laconia City Council last night ordered the building demolished by May 6th. It will be interesting to see what happens.

I'll be surprised if it happens that soon...

[Channel Pirate]

IDK I live in the weirs, and the smokehouse used to busy years ago. In the last few years nobody goes there. This past summer, the place was a ghost town...weird how it burnt down after the summer...after they tried to make it work.

Weird how the property is in his wifes name since the FRM scandal ?

[fatlazyless]

Back in today's news, April 23 LaDaSun....something about the insurance claim denied by the insurance company and a lawsuit filed against the insurance company for denying the claim?

[Rusty]

Back in today's news, April 23 LaDaSun....something about the insurance claim denied by the insurance company and a lawsuit filed against the insurance company for denying the claim?

"The city code enforcement officer says the city still hopes the owners of the burned-out Wide Open Saloon at the foot of Lakeside Ave. at Weirs Beach will demolish the building but acknowledged yesterday that there are insurance issues that could slow the process."

Read the rest of the article here: The Laconia Daily Sun (http://www.laconiadailysun.com/files/pdfarchivenew/LaconiaPDF/2011/04_April/23L.pdf)

[crowsnest]

Still Standing :(

[Woodsy]

It will not be torn down before bike week unfortunately.... and with litigation who knows when it will come down! Its an eyesore to be sure! I wish the parties involved would have done the right thing for the community, alas that is not to be!

Woodsy

[fatlazyless]

Would this make for a good selling tee shirt and postcard or what? Transfer the photo from McDude's post #21 with the burning Wide Open Saloon onto a tee shirt and label it "Insurance Denied - Laconia 2011".

That must be the Laconia Fire Dept's new aerial tower truck in the foreground that is shooting water onto the building?

Looking at the historical photos, the hotel used to be a very well designed and gracious looking building........but not anymore!

[Meredith lady]

As an operator of a business in the Weirs, i personally think the owners of the Wide Open Saloon would be embarassed to have that building stand there for the summer 2011 season. Where is their loyalty to the rest of the Weirs community? The Weirs needs a face lift, we all agree on that. But being allowed to leave that building up is ridiculous. Just my opinion...

[Wreckn1]

As an operator of a business in the Weirs, i personally think the owners of the Wide Open Saloon would be embarassed to have that building stand there for the summer 2011 season. Where is their loyalty to the rest of the Weirs community? The Weirs needs a face lift, we all agree on that. But being allowed to leave that building up is ridiculous. Just my opinion...

I dont think they are "being allowed" to leave the building up. I think its more of a case where they didnt get the imsurance money and the whole thing with FRM, they were supposed to have it down by the 14th but there will be NO WAY that can happen with all the stuff that needs to be done (ie asbestos inspections, asbestos and hazmat abatement so on and so forth) believe me i want it down just as bad as everyone else and they have had PLENTY of time to do it but it doesnt look like they will. Sadly it looks like the city tax payers will be the ones to pay for it until the property has been sold

[fatlazyless]

With that centrally located Wide Open Saloon right in the center of Bike Week, why don't they go get some tee shirts made up and sell them through an opening in their temporary chain link fence or something like that. At least they could start to get a little cash flow rolling in from their burnt-out business location which never hurts. Probably, it would be a good seller with fire fighters and insurance people!

A good rendition of the Wide Open Saloon fire photo (post #21) above labelled INSURANCE DENIED - LACONIA 2011 would probably be a good selling tee shirt. You know there's a quality tee shirt maker just up in North Woodstock, NH on Route 3 www.rushordertees.com.

Why not.....what the heck......between losing with FRM in Meredith and the fire last September in Laconia with the insurance denied.....the luck has got to change for the better.....and these fire-photo-Laconia Tee Shirts could become a very hot item!

[LongBay]

Fatlazyless, I wouldn't count on any corporate capital coming to the Weirs. Wallgreens, CVS, Dunkin Donuts and Marriott all went to the other end of town. I have seen the slow decay of the Weirs over the past thirty years. Maybe those WOW trail fundraisers can pitch in and donate some of their money to re-build the Weirs rather than tear down trees, fill in wetlands and lay down pavement and chain link fences for a trail going to nowhere.

[Channel Pirate]

Still there ! Memorial Day, Bike Week, 4th July, and now NASCAR weekend.
Don't want to add Labor Day and the September Nascar race to this list ?

I just wanted to post somthing on this thread so it would apear on the front page of the board again.

[fatlazyless]

So, where is the friendly insurance company happy to show up with a great big bucket loaded full of hundred dollar bills that will power up a construction crew, all through this winter, to rebuild the fire damaged Wide Open Saloon building?


Here's hoping that Brandi & friends are able to convince a judge somewhere in a NH courtroom, that her insurance claim is strictly legit, and Lloyd's of London will do what they do best, pay out the insurance money. Best wishes for a successfull lawsuit!


Weirs Beach - Wide Open Saloon location: Possible outcomes ????

Possibility #1) The City of Laconia pays to have the fire damaged lot levelled, and the lot remains an undeveloped empty lot, similar to Karl's Fine Food, for the next five years or longer !


Possibility #2) Insurance money is put to work reconstructing the Wide Open Saloon, and it is back in business for next MC-Week with 4 O'Clock, Happy Hour, two-dollar Sam Adams beers!


Possibility #3) The City of Laconia gets court approval to demolish the fire damaged building and orders it to be leveled, despite the insurance co prevailing in court and having its denied claim upheld so there is no insurance money paid out.


Possibility #4) Cannot think of something intelligent to say here but without a doubt something could happen there that was unpredictable......at least to the casual observer? Truth can be stranger than fiction!

[BroadHopper]

Fatlazyless, I wouldn't count on any corporate capital coming to the Weirs. Wallgreens, CVS, Dunkin Donuts and Marriott all went to the other end of town. I have seen the slow decay of the Weirs over the past thirty years. Maybe those WOW trail fundraisers can pitch in and donate some of their money to re-build the Weirs rather than tear down trees, fill in wetlands and lay down pavement and chain link fences for a trail going to nowhere.

Guess the folks at 'Yuppieville' have the last say on the WOW Trail. NOT ON MY BACKYARD!

[fatlazyless]

What the boardwalk area at Weirs Beach has is an elevated lakefront outlook public area that is probably the #1 best spot like that on the entire lake. The boardwalk is beautifull and is elevated about 25' above the water level and has a real impressive view of the water and surrounds, plus it is just a short walk to the town docks, town beach, arcades, Mount Washington, and food venues.

Running a WOW Trail route along side the boardwalk would put Weirs Beach right in the middle of a nine mile waterfront bicycle trail that could attract bicycle visiters whenever there's no snow on the trail, like from March to December or something. That would be very good for Weirs Beach as a tourist type location! That would create a waterfront, 9-mile long, flat level bicycle pedal path on what is now a state owned railroad track embankment, that gets just a little bit of summertime tourist railroad use.

Stimilus funding played a big part in building the first mile #1 from Lakeport to Lake Opeechee, so it's pretty safe to assume that the strong local WOW Trail support plus Obama's second term in office will all roll along together to get the WOW Trail built out from Meredith to Weirs Beach to Laconia to Belmont and beyond.

[AC2717]

What the boardwalk area at Weirs Beach has is an elevated lakefront outlook public area that is probably the #1 best spot like that on the entire lake. The boardwalk is beautifull and is elevated about 25' above the water level and has a real impressive view of the water and surrounds, plus it is just a short walk to the town docks, town beach, arcades, Mount Washington, and food venues.

Running a WOW Trail route along side the boardwalk would put Weirs Beach right in the middle of a nine mile waterfront bicycle trail that could attract bicycle visiters whenever there's no snow on the trail, like from March to December or something. That would be very good for Weirs Beach as a tourist type location! That would create a waterfront, 9-mile long, flat level bicycle pedal path on what is now a state owned railroad track embankment, that gets just a little bit of summertime tourist railroad use.

Stimilus funding played a big part in building the first mile #1 from Lakeport to Lake Opeechee, so it's pretty safe to assume that the strong local WOW Trail support plus Obama's second term in office will all roll along together to get the WOW Trail built out from Meredith to Weirs Beach to Laconia to Belmont and beyond.

yeah I am sure all the people that are lake front that have the train embankment through their property want people and the added foot traffic to their land. (trian aside of course) Then all those people stopping to take breaks on their land, the trash that might be left there and the noise during the night of kids and people walking talking and biking up and down their property, not to mention that snow mobilers (not that I am against snow mobiles) would probably use it like the tracks now

Just think of that whole beautiful semi private property that people paid from between the Weirs and Meredith having to put up with that stuff, yeah that is fair to them,
what a joke

oh yeah with the fence requirement now these people with right away access on the water, would now have to hop over a fence on each side of the trail, yeah talk about beautification, my foot!

[fatlazyless]

www.wowtrail.com .....what's not to like!....probably the best thing to happen to the Weirs since the sandy beach was created in the 1960's! Once the WOW Trail is built, everyone will say: Buoy, this is one fantastic WOW Trail.........like wow!

Have you taken the WOW Trail voter-poll? How will you be using the WOW Trail?


Just picture yourself pedaling the WOW Trail, back and forth for 15-miles on a hot summer's day, and then stopping for a two dollar, Happy Hour - Sam Adams at the newly rebuilt Wide Open Saloon which is directly along the trail there. Like wow!

[onthebay]

Take down the stupid requirement from the state for a 5 foot chain link fence along the trail and maybe I would not oppose it.

[fatlazyless]

At the bottom of www.wowtrail.com, under Design and Safety, it says the fence is four feet high and would have a six inch space below it to accomodate the chipmunks and squirrels and small animals, so not sure if that means a total height of four or 4 1/2'.

Having that ugly chainlink fence is a huge challenge, and cannot expect any waterfront property owner to want to live with that interrupting their view. The 4' chainlink fence is a big NO-GO so maybe they want to go with those grey granite rectangular cobble blocks set into concrete and about six inches high to create an attractive grey granite border as opposed to a fence.

And, the Wide Open Saloon can run a special: For just ten dollars, you get a Sam Adams beer and a tax deductable receipt showing you just paid for one granite cobble-block!

www.jlfstone.com/cobblestone.html
www.swensongranite.com

[AC2717]

At the bottom of www.wowtrail.com, it says the fence is four feet high and would have a six inch space below it to accomodate the chipmunks and squirrels and small animals, so not sure if that means a total height of four or 4 1/2'.

Having that ugly fence is a huge challenge, and cannot expect any waterfront property owner to want to live with that interupting their view. The 4' chainlink fence is a big NO-GO so maybe they want to go with those grey granite rectangular cobble blocks set into concrete and about six inches high.

nothing against you FLL, but yeah I should care more about the chipmunks so they will not be inconvience, again not directing to you FLL but the wonderful people proposing this and the State,
Not to mention all the leave and tree debris that would be caught up on the fence every year and now all the added costs to maintain it, but the chipmunks can get back and fourth and that is what they care about

sorry this thing just gets me heated and my property is not even affected by this thing

[fatlazyless]

Page 17 of today's July 21 LaDaSun has a report on the legal back & forth going on between Brandi and her insurance provider, Lloyd's of London. It's pretty complicated stuff ...(?): "In court filing, insurance company claims Baldi didn't meet fire prevention standards of her policy." ...is the title of the article.

[fatlazyless]

http://www.laconiadailysun.com/story/city-still-holding-pattern-wide-open-saloon

Surprise....this link actually works....now I think I'll go read the article and try to think of something to say that is both intelligent and relevant! Like wow!

Roll down to page nine, and there's a close-up photo of the burned building taken from an airplane.

[flyguy]

That would be this one: http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/529/thumbs/Saloon_9673AsW.jpg (http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=18004)

[fatlazyless]

www.laconiadailysun.com/story/city-replys-baldi-suit

Oh well, what can you say?

[crowsnest]

Any one have any updates on this eye sore

[LongBay]

Maybe the next northeaster will knock it down once and for good. Then, no-one will have to open up their check book to tear it down.

For what the owner was paying in property tax's the last two years could have paid for the demolition. Maybe the NH should create the Ugly View Tax for bringing down the value of nearby property owners properties and thus causing a lost opportunity to tax those nearby property owners more.

[LakeSnake]

I though I saw an article in one of local papers (LDS?) aweek or two ago that a judge had ordered it be taken down by a specific date. The specifics did not stick in my memory. :(

[fatlazyless]

A judge did order it to be taken down, and the owner of the property has appealed that ruling in a higher court.

The appeal claims that the fire damaged property can be repaired and does not need to be torn down which is probably true if you take a good look at the building. The fire dept got there fast and put out the fire fast.

[dragonfly03246]

She's going to the Supreme Court with her appeal. This should be the last time she's able to go to court on this. I guess we'll find out shortly after Feb 16th.

http://www.citizen.com/news/laconia_region/article_9e27e7d4-464f-11e1-b017-001a4bcf6878.html

[LongBay]

What people will do to draw out the inevitable and waste our taxpayer dollars in the meantime.

Maybe FlyGuy can give that owner a free tour of her property from above. No matter what angle you look at that property, the building is a loss.

PS Make sure someone reminds her to take off those rose colored glasses before she takes a look down at that big wide open hole in the roof.

[Belmont Resident]

Give it to the city, they can bulldoze it into a parking lot and recoup some of the money they loose every year by letting bike week drag on for so many days.

[RailroadJoe]

Does anyone know why this thing still stands? Didn't the courts order it down. No arsonist arrested yet.

Also is the roundabout at the Weirs junction Rt 3 and 11B going to be built this year?

[nicole]

Does anyone know why this thing still stands? Didn't the courts order it down. No arsonist arrested yet.

Also is the roundabout at the Weirs junction Rt 3 and 11B going to be built this year?

It still stands because the owner appealed that court ruling and no decision on the appeal has been made yet(that I know of anyway). Hopefully they are forced to knock the eyesore down soon.

Yes- they are starting the roundabout this year-unfortunately.

[Heaven]

The town ordered it taken down based on a zoning ordinance instead of relying on a report from an engineer. I expect the court to decide in favor of the property owner (to decide whether to demolish or repair based on engineering results). In the meantime we get to look at the charred remains.

[RailroadJoe]

All you have to do is look at it. No way would anyone want to try and repair that building. Must have something to do with insurance coverage.

[no-engine]

Building's condition appears worse in the last few days. I've seen now what appears to be a contractor's office trailer out back in the fenced in areas.

How can this family (Baldi) get away? News reports say that Lloyds insurance will not pay out while an investigation is on-going. I think it's unforgivable that Fire Marshals Office has not concluded. The weather has serious affects continually! I go by frequently. Guess what? There was no real conclusion made public to the fire that destroyed the former Lobster Pound Restaurant, maybe dozen years ago! Maybe this is similar??? Just total speculation. The same family owns drive in, and the colonial movie theatre in Laconia.

I have seen survey crews at the intersection just over the Weirs bridge. I speculate for the possible Roundabout. I have driven roundabouts in many places, smaller and larger than one in Meredith; I believe the State made a big mistake: the diameter should be a little larger! The waits get too long on the inbound roads.

[pm203]

Roundabout or rotary?

[upthesaukee]

not enough room for a rotary.

[fatlazyless]

From memory, as best I recall, the roundabout in Meredith is 120' diameter, and the Weirs roundabout which is to be built this year will be 110' in diameter.......or something like that.

And, a small piece of the former Karl's Fine Food parking lot will be used for the roundabout.


That vacant lot has been for sale for maybe five years now.


"Drastically Reduced" is what the real estate sales sign says on a property for sale that is close to the Cumberland Farm store......everytime I see that sign......it makes me giggle....."Drastically Reduced"

[Winnisquamguy]

The Meredith roundabout about is 130' and the new one in the Weirs will be 120' you can find more information here.http://www.nh.gov/dot/projects/laconia15691/documents/laconia_15691_june310_cr.pdf

[AC2717]

I know I am pushing this more off topic, and I am sorry, but I just hope they do not plan on doing this work this spring and summer

[dragonfly03246]

The signs are up and the pavement's been marked. They plan on starting construction next month. :(

[Belmont Resident]

I cannot see anything good coming from this project.
Except it should have traffic backed up all the way to Shaws during bike weekend. :rolleye2:

[Lin]

My mom's family summered in Laconia quite a bit from the 1920's on before moving to Moultonborough. In fact my aunt (relative of M/S Mt Washington Capt Avery) was raised in Laconia and her mom had property adjacent to the lake just north of the Weirs. I've always been told that there was a public access path along the lake there in front of the houses years ago, so a bike trail wouldn't be much different along the RR tracks. Mom is in a nursing home now and I'd have to go through dozens of photo albums but i'm pretty sure there is a photo of the lakeshore path. http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15574
Lin


yeah I am sure all the people that are lake front that have the train embankment through their property want people and the added foot traffic to their land. (trian aside of course) Then all those people stopping to take breaks on their land, the trash that might be left there and the noise during the night of kids and people walking talking and biking up and down their property, not to mention that snow mobilers (not that I am against snow mobiles) would probably use it like the tracks now

Just think of that whole beautiful semi private property that people paid from between the Weirs and Meredith having to put up with that stuff, yeah that is fair to them,
what a joke

oh yeah with the fence requirement now these people with right away access on the water, would now have to hop over a fence on each side of the trail, yeah talk about beautification, my foot!

[Sunset View]

Maybe the next northeaster will knock it down once and for good. Then, no-one will have to open up their check book to tear it down.

For what the owner was paying in property tax's the last two years could have paid for the demolition. Maybe the NH should create the Ugly View Tax for bringing down the value of nearby property owners properties and thus causing a lost opportunity to tax those nearby property owners more.

Enough already! This has been going on for far too long........at what point do all the merchants in the area say our customer counts are going down, businesses are hurting, people are turned off by the poor image and families aren't going to want to frequent an area that looks so unkept! At this rate, the Weirs will become the next Revere Beach! I'm with you LongBay...now that the lake is almost ice free, perhaps a freak snow storm in April will solve everyone's problem....come on noreaster!!!

[meredith weekender]

what they really need to do is level the saloon and build a casino where the drive-in is. Just think of the possibilities... lol

[fatlazyless]

Most likely, the burnt out property is still required to pay a large property tax every six months based on what is probably an over-priced value of the land and possibly the burnt out structure.

That real estate sign just up the hill on Route 3, across from the now closed Cumberland gas station; "DRASTICALLY REDUCED PRICE" is a very unusual sign for selling a property. While it is not uncommon to see "Newly Priced" as opposed to "Price Reduced" .......seeing "Drastically Reduced Price" is an eye catcher.......however despite the drastically reduced price......the property has yet to get sold.

Is there any truth to the rumor that the six acre, recently clear-cut treeless dirt field, just south of the Cumberland gas station, is going to become a storage rental space business aka similar to "Storage Wars" on the Discovery TV.........that would be a very unusual land use for a location like that.....situated on a nice commercial location overlooking Lake Winnipesaukee. If that really happens......a storage business.....that does not say anything good about the concept of "Motorcycle Week" and what it has done to the Weirs on a long term basis.

A storage business.......... in that 6-acre field..........yikes?

[Happy Gourmand]

Cumby's is closed?

[fatlazyless]

The gas pumps are fenced out and closed and it looks like the gas pumps are getting a big repair done by a gasoline station service company named Gaftek ......maybe water got into the Cumby gas tanks underground....or something? Without the gas there's absolutely no reason for me to stop there. That gas station has a highly engineered gasoline leakage safety storage system....being located above Tower Street and Lake Winnipesaukee, the water resevoir for Laconia, and this years mud season has been incredibly wet and muddy.....so....I have no clue....but it seems pretty unusual that a newly constructed Cumby would need a gas storage repair at this time....however it indeed looks to be getting just that?


Back to the new to-be-built-this-year-2012 Weirs Roundabout. Neither the Plymouth or Mererdith roundabouts have any water irrigation and their dry perennial plantings all look like a field of dried out ugly weeds.

Maybe the new Weirs roundabout will include a lawn irrigation system, and become home to a decorative exotic showpiece roundabout garden that really really looks great ~ ~ ~ ~ !

[patman]

Is there any truth to the rumor that the six acre, recently clear-cut treeless dirt field, just south of the Cumberland gas station, is going to become a storage rental space business aka similar to "Storage Wars" on the Discovery TV.........that would be a very unusual land use for a location like that.....situated on a nice commercial location overlooking Lake Winnipesaukee.

...you mean like the storage place near the fire station in Moultonboro? Granted, it's not overlooking Lake Winnipesaukee, but...nice lake/mountain views, and I could never understand the logic of locating it there.

[nicole]

Cumby's is closed?

Only temporary-should be about another week according to their employees. They are remodeling making it like some newer stores with pastries and some type of frosty machine according to a sign they had last weekend.

[no-engine]

Drive by this afternoon. New Cumberland's sign, not the blue/white plastic look. Looks like an attempt to look "green", as in conservation.

Saloon: definitely a trailer used for construction site office is placed in back. Large bulletin board device stands as if attached, and with lots papers.
Maybe demolition permit, building permits, etc. There was setting on edge of driveway to drive-in a series of concrete pipes. I did not get out of my vehicle, and was only briefly stopped in Lobster Pound parking lot.

Instead of speculating about the uses of other sites nearby, why not someone check it out at planning board office; minutes are public record!

[no-engine]

Drive by this afternoon. New Cumberland's sign, not the blue/white plastic look. Looks like an attempt to look "green", as in conservation.

Saloon: definitely a trailer used for construction site office is placed in back. Large bulletin board device stands as if attached, and with lots papers.
Maybe demolition permit, building permits, etc. There was setting on edge of driveway to drive-in a series of concrete pipes. I did not get out of my vehicle, and was only briefly stopped in Lobster Pound parking lot.

Instead of speculating about the uses of other sites nearby, why not someone check it out at planning board office; minutes are public record!

Behind the burned eye-soar, the trailer and gear and piping makes the site look more & more like the office/staging area for Busby Construction of the roundabout just over the Bridge! (a little site rental income for owner!) Large back hoe was working the banking towards the mini golf park, left side as heading over bridge towards Weirs Fire Station.

I need to drive by later today and will observe.

[corollaman]

I wish they would just knock it down and get it over with. It's been almost 2 years! How long is this whole thing gonna go on for??? Enough already! It's such an eyesore. I'm sure it has made property values in the area drop.

[no-engine]

Definitely the contractor for roundabout; newspaper stories confirm.
Also, observations from drive Laconia > Meredith, this morning.

Guess we must live with the eyesore and the firemarshall's continuing investigation. Arson or not?

[Sunset View]

I wish they would just knock it down and get it over with. It's been almost 2 years! How long is this whole thing gonna go on for??? Enough already! It's such an eyesore. I'm sure it has made property values in the area drop.

It's an utter embarrassment to the community, to the potential tourists and to city government who have allowed this debacle to continue! Hard to imagine Don Thurston and his brothers along with the Lobster Pound owners living with this pile of garbage much longer. If this is the standard the city lives with, it's onlly a matter of time before the entire area lowers its standards for cleanliness, presentation and quality of image!
Tear It Down NOW!

[crowsnest]

It's an utter embarrassment to the community, to the potential tourists and to city government who have allowed this debacle to continue! Hard to imagine Don Thurston and his brothers along with the Lobster Pound owners living with this pile of garbage much longer. If this is the standard the city lives with, it's onlly a matter of time before the entire area lowers its standards for cleanliness, presentation and quality of image!
Tear It Down NOW!

well said - TAKE IT DOWN

[LongBay]

My next prediction on this debacle is The Wall at Fenway Park will come down before the Wide Open. So let's see what's still standing by end of day July 1st, 2012.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cFwhY9Wox0E/Tzv42ICXSbI/AAAAAAAAAVI/kzOT4woGyQg/s1600/rogerwaters_fenway.jpg

[no-engine]

It's an utter embarrassment to the community, to the potential tourists and to city government who have allowed this debacle to continue! Hard to imagine Don Thurston and his brothers along with the Lobster Pound owners living with this pile of garbage much longer. If this is the standard the city lives with, it's onlly a matter of time before the entire area lowers its standards for cleanliness, presentation and quality of image!
Tear It Down NOW!

I would not want to be the local building code enforcement person! or city manager, or on city council, or any position within city. even police or fire departments or county sheriff. Total disgrace to drive by.

I wouldn't even desire to enter the drive-in movie regardless of the feature film. Can't imagine being on the receiving end of rental income for the area in back for contractor's staging, while at same time leaving the condition of the building! Such an embarrassment!

[Happy Gourmand]

There has to be a lot more to this story than what we think we know. I'm just guessing that the property owner is still paying a crazy amount of property tax for the building/location.
I would also think it reasonable to assume that he/she would love to resolve whatever the issue is with this so that it could again be turned into a revenue producing establishment of some sort.
This just makes me wonder what the real story is behind all the delays.

[AC2717]

Can't we get a petition going to have the building removed or torn down, That just happened in the town where I live

[Heaven]

Nothing can be done until the issue has been decided in court.

[RailroadJoe]

Where next? US Supreme Court. Already run out of local ones.

[Heaven]

Where next? US Supreme Court. Already run out of local ones.Oh? What was the last decision?

[corollaman]

Where next? US Supreme Court. Already run out of local ones.

Last I knew it was already going to the supreme court, whether the case has been heard yet or not, I don't know.

[RailroadJoe]

Last I read it was supposed to be torn down in seven days.

[Heaven]

Last I heard it was scheduled at New Hampshire Supreme Court, if it has been heard and a decision made please post a link to the info?

[no-engine]

News media has reported that New Hampshire State Fire Marshal is still in the "investigation" stage, apparently not releasing the property to owner (a member of the Baldi family, the drive-in & Colonial Theater owners) and thus the insurance carrier (Lloyd's) will not pay out.
Nothing but past readings from news print media.
We don't recall the reporting of courts, since a local judge did say tear down.

After recent rains or snows, it's easy to observe that upper parts continue to collapse! I drive by almost every day.

[Sunset View]

News media has reported that New Hampshire State Fire Marshal is still in the "investigation" stage, apparently not releasing the property to owner (a member of the Baldi family, the drive-in & Colonial Theater owners) and thus the insurance carrier (Lloyd's) will not pay out.
Nothing but past readings from news print media.
We don't recall the reporting of courts, since a local judge did say tear down.

After recent rains or snows, it's easy to observe that upper parts continue to collapse! I drive by almost every day.Come on Spring showers!!

[corollaman]

I hope they tear it down before this coming Bike Week.

[no-engine]

Come on Spring showers!!

Last night, I see that some contractor equipment is very close to what's left of building. If a wind/rain storm comes along, I'd think debris would fall over on equipment and the office trailer. Very hazardous site: OSHA!

I certainly would not want to be on site with storm playing out.
More we observe & think, it's such a hazard to the abutters and a soreness to the eyes, especially with visitors. I certainly will give no directions that have one driving through that area. [I hope owners' family read threads!]

On another note, on recent NECN the Boss, story was about the Cumberland Farms business: most sites are getting a make-over. Appears that the one up hill will be open soon, if not already re-opened.

[nicole]

Last night, I see that some contractor equipment is very close to what's left of building. If a wind/rain storm comes along, I'd think debris would fall over on equipment and the office trailer. Very hazardous site: OSHA!

I certainly would not want to be on site with storm playing out.
More we observe & think, it's such a hazard to the abutters and a soreness to the eyes, especially with visitors. I certainly will give no directions that have one driving through that area. [I hope owners' family read threads!]

On another note, on recent NECN the Boss, story was about the Cumberland Farms business: most sites are getting a make-over. Appears that the one up hill will be open soon, if not already re-opened.Cumby is already open-has been for a few days. They now offer more "to-go" types food-pizza, breakfast sandwiches, etc. Have not tried them yet.

[no-engine]

[/B]Cumby is already open-has been for a few days. They now offer more "to-go" types food-pizza, breakfast sandwiches, etc. Have not tried them yet.

I've been not so observant...
Thanks for the info. Wonder if the one in Meredith will get a make-over?

[AC2717]

WE should have FLL try their "to-go" food first!:D

[Sunset View]

And so too is the Wide Open Saloon!

Is anyone else wondering at what point does the process gain some traction and this eye-sore goes away? This will be the 3rd summer looking at that messs and we continue to be amazed that local businesses, residents and out of towners would want to be anywhere near the Weirs, not to mention the continued plummeting home values in and around the area! There is a correlation, it's high time for our residents, business leaders and town fathers to take a stand and get the badly needed revitalization and rejuvenation of the Weirs underway ASAP!

Thurston's, The Lobster Pond, Weirs business association.........let's go!

TEAR IT DOWN!

[pjs1342]

Hey folks, Beware of what you wish for as far as the Weirs needing to change. Change to what? Upscale is where i see it going in the future which will drive out the working class. I like it honky tonk and bike week forever. Can anyone afford Meredith Bay? If more of these type developments continue I guarantee kiss bike week goodbye. Then the beloved drive-in becomes more condos and before long what attracted people to the Weirs becomes like any other onclave for the wealthy.

[birchhaven]

Hey folks, Beware of what you wish for as far as the Weirs needing to change. Change to what? Upscale is where i see it going in the future which will drive out the working class. I like it honky tonk and bike week forever.

I am gonna regret bring this up, but there are two major factors why Laconia is the way it is while all the surrounding areas thrive, one of them being bike week... bike week does not help the city or its people.

[ChocolateGypsy]

Originally Posted by pjs1342
Hey folks, Beware of what you wish for as far as the Weirs needing to change. Change to what? Upscale is where i see it going in the future which will drive out the working class. I like it honky tonk and bike week forever.
I am gonna regret bring this up, but there are two major factors why Laconia is the way it is while all the surrounding areas thrive, one of them being bike week... bike week does not help the city or its people.


The Weirs is far more "upscale" today than it was in the 60s when we had the "bike week riots." Back then, the Weirs looked like an atomic bomb had gone off in the 40s or 50s and no one had ever returned. (I still have nightmares!) I agree that the burned building is a safety hazard. But I really don't think the city has the money to tear it down either.

As far as Bike Week is concerned -- IT'S ONLY ONE WEEK OF THE ENTIRE YEAR!! And the quality of visitors has greatly improved with each decade.

IMO, the problem with Laconia is that it can't seem to escape the effects of it's past as a poor mill town and as a "dumping site" for the state's mentally ill... and then there's the prison... toxic waste sites... lack of descent jobs... etc. :rolleye1:

[Belmont Resident]

The Weirs is far more "upscale" today than it was in the 60s when we had the "bike week riots." Back then, the Weirs looked like an atomic bomb had gone off in the 40s or 50s and no one had ever returned. (I still have nightmares!) I agree that the burned building is a safety hazard. But I really don't think the city has the money to tear it down either.

As far as Bike Week is concerned -- IT'S ONLY ONE WEEK OF THE ENTIRE YEAR!! And the quality of visitors has greatly improved with each decade.

IMO, the problem with Laconia is that it can't seem to escape the effects of it's past as a poor mill town and as a "dumping site" for the state's mentally ill... and then there's the prison... toxic waste sites... lack of descent jobs... etc. :rolleye1:

There was just an article about the concerns of this area.
The lakes region in general is becoming one big retirement community.
Jobs and big business are leaving the area and being replaced by retired people who are moving up here into their 2nd homes as full time residents.
Not sure of all the logistics of this but in a nut shell it isn’t a good thing and is progressively getting worse and unless something is done to change it will continue to do so.

As for bike week it dies a little more every year. Starting this year there will be no more closing of the bridge to any traffic. :D
Last year being the first year my wife started riding a motorcycle we visited the Weirs several times. Each time we heard complaints from venders who are hoping for a more scaled down version of bike week, being less drawn out because they are loosing money. :(
One of the things we noticed was the people we saw had very few items they bought.
Most seemed content on just walking around and stopping at the many watering holes.
I know for us living here, unless we see a gotta have item, we wait till the last day when everything is marked down 30 to 50% or more.

[birchhaven]

Sorry for getting off topic.
I have fun at bike week, but the idea that it is only one week so it does not effect the area year round, is an idea not followed through.
Too many properties base there income on that one week and the rest of the year are vacant or worse. In a small city economy it is far better to have a more consistent, sustainable year round operation occupy a parcel than it is to have a one week blast of income. There is no need for many property owners to "try". In my view and many others, if bike week never existed the entire city would be in a different place right now. So if bike week ended, slowly all those business owners would need to be productive with there properties, creating jobs, nicer facilities, better neighborhoods, etc.
This all comes back to the wide open saloon. I would be willing to bet that the owner may eventually tear down the building and leave it as a gravel lot so it can be turned in to a tent city during bike week and they will make enough money to satisfy them. With no bike week, they would need to actually do something with the property, create some business, that is sustainable, or sell it to someone who would do something, and I am willing to bet the property would be worth more in the "no bike week" situation. JMHO

[jrc]

birchhaven's theory is really interesting and a different way of looking at bike week. It's too successful and lets people make enough money that week and write off the rest of the year.

If he is right, then as bike week winds back down to bike weekend (my guess) this may be corrected. Time will tell.

His theory kind of lines up with one of my theories about the condo-fication of the lakefront. My theory is that when hotels and camps changed to condos, the client list changed from week long vacationers to owners visiting on the weekends. So the place is dead during the week. Business now have to adapt to that model.

[Woodsy]

To start, with all due respect to the Baldi family and their right to due process… be a good neighbor and tear down that ugly eyesore! To the Laconia City manager and mayor… WTH! If that building was located in downtown Laconia we would not have this issue! The building would have been razed a year ago!

The intrinsic dynamic of the Weirs has changed radically in the last 10-12 years. There used to be a lot of small mom & pop motels that people spent their vacation week in. This provided a large turnover of people on weekly basis for the Weirs attractions and kept them busy. In the last real estate boom those mom & pop motels all but disappeared… turned into condos. This process virtually eliminated 60% - 70% of the revenue stream to the Weirs attractions. Condominium owners are more likely to patronize the attractions 2-3 times a season vs. a new bunch of people staying at the local motels every week. It has always been difficult for any business to make a year’s salary in the short 3-4 month summer season here in the Weirs. Couple that with a down economy and you can really understand the struggle business owners have. Unfortunately I don’t think this can be corrected. The damage is done. The City of Laconia and local business owners need to adapt to this unfortunate outcome and think of NEW ways to attract visitors to the Weirs.

Of the 3 biggest towns on the lake, Wolfeboro has always been quiet and rather upscale, Meredith was transformed to upscale, and unfortunately the Weirs has remained somewhat stagnant. This needs to be reversed. What the Weirs needs is better planning and leadership… The Weirs needs a makeover that sticks to its honky-tonk roots! The Weirs has always been the honky-tonk spot on the lake! This should be embraced not discouraged!

Bike Week should be EMBRACED! Years of heavy handed police presence coupled with economic discouragement by Laconia City Hall have diminished the attendance of Bike Week. Other communities throughout the state such as Meredith, Rochester & North Conway have jumped on the Bike Week bandwagon looking to cash in on what the City of Laconia doesn’t seem to want. This all has an effect on attendance.

I think in order to make the Weirs a destination again there needs to be some radical shift in thinking. I would recommend the Weirs become a designated resort area… loosen the rules a little! Look at Key West for inspiration!! Awesome restaurants… Cool bars with great entertainment, funky shops. Clean the area up. Tear down that stupid eyesore. Let people enjoy themselves a little. Maintain a police presence but discreetly (think undercover cops). No need for 3 cruisers and 2 bicycle cops hanging out waiting for something, anything to happen! Let people drink along the boardwalk and enjoy the lake (plastic containers). Allow outside music in the summer up until 12:00. Encourage people to visit. Adjust the rules so that people WANT to VISIT! Adjust the rules so that people WANT to open NEW businesses!

Make the Weirs friendly and people will visit…

Woodsy

[Wetbiker]

To start, with all due respect to the Baldi family and their right to due process… be a good neighbor and tear down that ugly eyesore! To the Laconia City manager and mayor… WTH! If that building was located in downtown Laconia we would not have this issue! The building would have been razed a year ago!

The intrinsic dynamic of the Weirs has changed radically in the last 10-12 years. There used to be a lot of small mom & pop motels that people spent their vacation week in. This provided a large turnover of people on weekly basis for the Weirs attractions and kept them busy. In the last real estate boom those mom & pop motels all but disappeared… turned into condos. This process virtually eliminated 60% - 70% of the revenue stream to the Weirs attractions. Condominium owners are more likely to patronize the attractions 2-3 times a season vs. a new bunch of people staying at the local motels every week. It has always been difficult for any business to make a year’s salary in the short 3-4 month summer season here in the Weirs. Couple that with a down economy and you can really understand the struggle business owners have. Unfortunately I don’t think this can be corrected. The damage is done. The City of Laconia and local business owners need to adapt to this unfortunate outcome and think of NEW ways to attract visitors to the Weirs.

Of the 3 biggest towns on the lake, Wolfeboro has always been quiet and rather upscale, Meredith was transformed to upscale, and unfortunately the Weirs has remained somewhat stagnant. This needs to be reversed. What the Weirs needs is better planning and leadership… The Weirs needs a makeover that sticks to its honky-tonk roots! The Weirs has always been the honky-tonk spot on the lake! This should be embraced not discouraged!

Bike Week should be EMBRACED! Years of heavy handed police presence coupled with economic discouragement by Laconia City Hall have diminished the attendance of Bike Week. Other communities throughout the state such as Meredith, Rochester & North Conway have jumped on the Bike Week bandwagon looking to cash in on what the City of Laconia doesn’t seem to want. This all has an effect on attendance.

I think in order to make the Weirs a destination again there needs to be some radical shift in thinking. I would recommend the Weirs become a designated resort area… loosen the rules a little! Look at Key West for inspiration!! Awesome restaurants… Cool bars with great entertainment, funky shops. Clean the area up. Tear down that stupid eyesore. Let people enjoy themselves a little. Maintain a police presence but discreetly (think undercover cops). No need for 3 cruisers and 2 bicycle cops hanging out waiting for something, anything to happen! Let people drink along the boardwalk and enjoy the lake (plastic containers). Allow outside music in the summer up until 12:00. Encourage people to visit. Adjust the rules so that people WANT to VISIT! Adjust the rules so that people WANT to open NEW businesses!

Make the Weirs friendly and people will visit…

Woodsy

I couldnt have put it better myself Woodsy. I've lived in eye sight of the weirs my whole life, if they could do what you said it would turn around the weirs and make it boom again. A couple cool groovy new bars would be cool, You want to attract the college kids, these are the ones that are going to be growing up and wanting to buy places on the lake

[garysanfran]

I couldnt have put it better myself Woodsy. I've lived in eye sight of the weirs my whole life, if they could do what you said it would turn around the weirs and make it boom again. A couple cool groovy new bars would be cool, You want to attract the college kids, these are the ones that are going to be growing up and wanting to buy places on the lake

Bring back Teen Haven and Winnipesaukee Gardens! These were destination sights that brought hundreds from all over every Friday and Saturday nights. The "Gardens" changed with the ever changing demographics. My parents listened and danced to Duke Ellington. I did the same to Vanilla Fudge and The Turtles. The places were always jammed. I was a teenager and don't think there was alcohol at Teen Haven. I don't know about The Gardens. I think if you were over 21, you'd BYOB!

My parents had friends on Bear Is. that had a steel-hulled tugboat named 'Lil Toot. They'd pick-up my parents and other friends and have a bond fire burning on the steel bow (it was a BIG boat). After a night at The Gardens you could hear the "revelry" from a great distance as 'Lil Toot made the rounds returning everyone home. This wouldn't happen today! The Lake had a lot less people then, but The Weirs had a lot more!

[Resident 2B]

To start, with all due respect to the Baldi family and their right to due process… be a good neighbor and tear down that ugly eyesore! To the Laconia City manager and mayor… WTH! If that building was located in downtown Laconia we would not have this issue! The building would have been razed a year ago!

The intrinsic dynamic of the Weirs has changed radically in the last 10-12 years. There used to be a lot of small mom & pop motels that people spent their vacation week in. This provided a large turnover of people on weekly basis for the Weirs attractions and kept them busy. In the last real estate boom those mom & pop motels all but disappeared… turned into condos. This process virtually eliminated 60% - 70% of the revenue stream to the Weirs attractions. Condominium owners are more likely to patronize the attractions 2-3 times a season vs. a new bunch of people staying at the local motels every week. It has always been difficult for any business to make a year’s salary in the short 3-4 month summer season here in the Weirs. Couple that with a down economy and you can really understand the struggle business owners have. Unfortunately I don’t think this can be corrected. The damage is done. The City of Laconia and local business owners need to adapt to this unfortunate outcome and think of NEW ways to attract visitors to the Weirs.

Of the 3 biggest towns on the lake, Wolfeboro has always been quiet and rather upscale, Meredith was transformed to upscale, and unfortunately the Weirs has remained somewhat stagnant. This needs to be reversed. What the Weirs needs is better planning and leadership… The Weirs needs a makeover that sticks to its honky-tonk roots! The Weirs has always been the honky-tonk spot on the lake! This should be embraced not discouraged!

Bike Week should be EMBRACED! Years of heavy handed police presence coupled with economic discouragement by Laconia City Hall have diminished the attendance of Bike Week. Other communities throughout the state such as Meredith, Rochester & North Conway have jumped on the Bike Week bandwagon looking to cash in on what the City of Laconia doesn’t seem to want. This all has an effect on attendance.

I think in order to make the Weirs a destination again there needs to be some radical shift in thinking. I would recommend the Weirs become a designated resort area… loosen the rules a little! Look at Key West for inspiration!! Awesome restaurants… Cool bars with great entertainment, funky shops. Clean the area up. Tear down that stupid eyesore. Let people enjoy themselves a little. Maintain a police presence but discreetly (think undercover cops). No need for 3 cruisers and 2 bicycle cops hanging out waiting for something, anything to happen! Let people drink along the boardwalk and enjoy the lake (plastic containers). Allow outside music in the summer up until 12:00. Encourage people to visit. Adjust the rules so that people WANT to VISIT! Adjust the rules so that people WANT to open NEW businesses!

Make the Weirs friendly and people will visit…

Woodsy

You get my vote for "Best Post of the Year"!

Well done! Let's get behind any effort to get the Weirs 'right' again.

R2B

[Bear247]

I like your thinking man...

[birchhaven]

I agree with the condos changing the biz model, and I agree a new line of thinking is required and it needs to be radical, but it is easy to say and another thing to get an investor to do, with the current dynamic.
Another example is where the rotary is being built, (I am going to pick on this property for a second but it applies to all) there is the vacant parking lot that has been sitting there forever, the owner has no urgency to invest or sell the property since he makes money from bike week. No bike week... he would have sold to someone who is willing to invest in the property in some fashion that makes money year round or at least all summer, this creates local jobs, increases the population, and in-turn further drives jobs creation. All while creating a valuable tax base for laconia rather than a vacant lot, this added tax base they could use to fix the current laconia school problem, again helping draw in full time residence, etc, etc. I disagree with anything that promotes land owners to not invest in their property (leave it a parking lot) so they can make money.
So it is great to say all these things about changing the rules etc, but if the current land owners have no reason to change they won't.

Sorry if make no sense I am much more articulate in person.

[Belmont Resident]

I agree with the condos changing the biz model, and I agree a new line of thinking is required and it needs to be radical, but it is easy to say and another thing to get an investor to do, with the current dynamic.
Another example is where the rotary is being built, (I am going to pick on this property for a second but it applies to all) there is the vacant parking lot that has been sitting there forever, the owner has no urgency to invest or sell the property since he makes money from bike week. No bike week... he would have sold to someone who is willing to invest in the property in some fashion that makes money year round or at least all summer, this creates local jobs, increases the population, and in-turn further drives jobs creation. All while creating a valuable tax base for laconia rather than a vacant lot, this added tax base they could use to fix the current laconia school problem, again helping draw in full time residence, etc, etc. I disagree with anything that promotes land owners to not invest in their property (leave it a parking lot) so they can make money.
So it is great to say all these things about changing the rules etc, but if the current land owners have no reason to change they won't.

Sorry if make no sense I am much more articulate in person.

Unfortunately until NH figures out how to attract businesses nothing will change.
You can tear down the ugly rebuild the ugly and attract all the tourism you want.
But all tourism creates is seasonal jobs, not the type of atmosphere to attract or support families.

[Woodsy]

Birchhaven...

That property you mentioned was originally a restaurant that went out of business (Karl's) and later burned. The property owner did the right thing and tore down the building. The owner of the property has since used it for Bike Week parking. I seriously doubt that 9 days of Bike Week parking covered the taxes on the property.

Meanwhile, they found a buyer for the property (rumoured to be Irving Oil) who was going to transform the property into some sort of gas station/drive thru, contingent on approval from the city. The city was onboard but wanted the property developer to pay the COST of the now being built rotary. That KILLED the project dead.

Just another example of how the City of Laconia thinks....

I suspect with the rotary being built and paid for by the city & state this vacant property will be more "buildable" now. No doubt we will see something there fairly soon.


Belmont Resident...

I agree that NH as a whole needs to create jobs and attract families. The Weirs IS a tourist/resort area, no different than Gunstock or Cannon or Sunapee. I think its in the best interest of the area and the state to attract tourists in any manner possible. Unfortunately, the Weirs is primarily a summer destination. There are some fall/winter activities but it is VERY weather dependent. This year there was no snow so there was no snowmobile business at all and the ski tourist business was off as well.

Woodsy

[no-engine]

Thanks for the Karl's site story, which I had forgotten.
Let me add about the Lobster Pound site, especially up hill portion.
It goes unused and ugly all year, till a week before bike week when tent set up starts. When all set ups are done, I am so discouraged, since it's impossible to see that a restaurant exists!!! The Lobster Pound sign is totally obstructed! I tried to communicate that observation to the business via their website, to no avail two years ago.

The entire area looks like it could pass for a municipal transfer station (formerly referred to as the dump): this trash goes here and that used item goes over there, all waiting for recycling by third party businesses. The site is deplorable from the street! It's not inviting at all.

In Meredith, the Hart's and Harley dealer property still maintain their identity.

I think it will be difficult to design a business on the roundabout edge; I can't imagine planners approving new accesses directly to the roundabout, BUT I like the thinking in some recent posts. We can wait and see, if some group will reveal creativity in design, of which I am not.

I hope the open site downhill from Cumberland's will not become another tent/vendor city, or a mobile home/RV park, or a storage unit rental site. Maybe we'll see something attractive and useful year round.

One personal 2¢.

[TiltonBB]

Birchhaven...

Meanwhile, they found a buyer for the property (rumoured to be Irving Oil) who was going to transform the property into some sort of gas station/drive thru, contingent on approval from the city. The city was onboard but wanted the property developer to pay the COST of the now being built rotary. That KILLED the project dead.

Just another example of how the City of Laconia thinks....
Woodsy

I disagree with your information. I went to the meetings about the development of that property, spoke with the lawyers, and attended several hearings at Laconia City Hall. The city was never "onboard" with the plans for that lot.

The demise of that plan was because the developers wanted to combine a gas station, convenience store, and Dunkin Donuts with a drive through, on a very small lot. The concerns about more underground gas tanks close to Laconia's water supply, overdevelopment of that lot, impact on neighboring properties, and the impact on traffic caused the city to reject the plan.

At all of the meetings I attended there was no mention of the property owner paying for any expenses related to the traffic circle. This happened 3 or 4 years ago and I do not recall the subject of the traffic circle ever being mentioned.

[Woodsy]

TiltonBB

The city would have allowed the construction of the gas station. They would have demanded the same triple redundancy as Cumby's up the hill. I believe the drive thru and the roundabout construction was the sticking point for developer.

Woodsy

[Greene's Basin Girl]

Bring back Teen Haven and Winnipesaukee Gardens! These were destination sights that brought hundreds from all over every Friday and Saturday nights. The "Gardens" changed with the ever changing demographics. My parents listened and danced to Duke Ellington. I did the same to Vanilla Fudge and The Turtles. The places were always jammed. I was a teenager and don't think there was alcohol at Teen Haven. I don't know about The Gardens. I think if you were over 21, you'd BYOB!

My parents had friends on Bear Is. that had a steel-hulled tugboat named 'Lil Toot. They'd pick-up my parents and other friends and have a bond fire burning on the steel bow (it was a BIG boat). After a night at The Gardens you could hear the "revelry" from a great distance as 'Lil Toot made the rounds returning everyone home. This wouldn't happen today! The Lake had a lot less people then, but The Weirs had a lot more! What memories ! I had such a good time at Teen Haven and the Winnipesaukee Gardens. There were so many great bands. It was such fun and the Weirs was booming back then.

[ChocolateGypsy]

Bike week was never a "family" event. And like I said, it's only one week that people who find it annoying have to put up with it. (Not like the traffic in Meredith *all* summer long!) I had always thought of it as sort of "Spring Break for Antichrists." Until I went a few times recently and found myself thinking: "Man, this is lame... the only thing to do is walk around and shop. Where's the party?? I'm not gettin' any younger y'know?"

Unfortunately, like what's happened to Spring Break in Fort Lauderdale, I believe trying to tame the event has driven the crowds elsewhere. It used to be a week where wild, crazy, sh*t happened -- folks went home and told their friends about it: "We were THERE! We SURVIVED!" And everyone wants to go next year!!!

Come to think of it, if the bike gangs want to beat the cr*p out of each other it would be good publicity (we got a lot of mileage off the 60s riots! ;) ) Maybe they could tear down that building for us...? We could set up a beer tent... blast ZZ Top from the Drive-In... and the building would be gone by morning!! :eek:

(you know I'm joking, right?)

[onthebay]

Unfortunately I don't see a change in the Weir's until some outside money comes in and changes things on a grand scale similar to the transformation of Merideth. Looking at what those old mills have been turned into (and not overnight) is pretty fascinating.
We opened up our store on the Pier in 2008 with great promise and high hopes trying to create a fun retail experience that seemed to be missing. The first year we did great numbers even though everyone else was crying they were down 30% from the previous year and had their worst year in 30 years. Figured if business was that good when everyone else was down then things could only get better the next year. Well the next year everyone said they were down 30% and this time we were too. Had to figure the next would be better but the same story. Finally called it quits after this season. I believe Kevins on the Pier did the same.
Each and every year less and less people came. Not just to our store but to the Weirs. We had bad weather, high gas prices, the storm that knocked out the train tracks and the dockage, Ecoli that shut down the beaches, everyone had a theory. This was at the same time that everyone down the Cape was talking about how great things were. Staycations and short trips were in. It looked like they were going everywhere but the Weir's. :(

[songkrai]

The lakes region in general is becoming one big retirement community.
Jobs and big business are leaving the area and being replaced by retired people who are moving up here into their 2nd homes as full time residents.
Not sure of all the logistics of this but in a nut shell it isn’t a good thing and is progressively getting worse and unless something is done to change it will continue to do so.

.

Correct. In total this is not a good thing for the area. Yes, some jobs do cater to seniors. But with little growth in industry and factories there will be a gradual decline of area.

I think that the Weirs was much better in the 1940's, 1950,s and 1960,s.

And some think that putting a few more Yuppie bars at the Weirs will help? The Weirs is a beach and a playground for kids.

[garysanfran]

Correct. In total this is not a good thing for the area. Yes, some jobs do cater to seniors. But with little growth in industry and factories there will be a gradual decline of area.

I think that the Weirs was much better in the 1940's, 1950,s and 1960,s.

And some think that putting a few more Yuppie bars at the Weirs will help? The Weirs is a beach and a playground for kids.

If The Weirs is going to be successful, there needs to be an economic draw. I'm not sure how you make a profit on a strip of sand and catering to kids who have no money?

It was better in the 40's, 50's and 60's because adults went there and spent money. They hadn't coined the word "yuppies" yet. Winnipesaukee Gardens was a playground for adults with money to spend. Today, it caters to "kids" as a penny arcade as do the other arcades. Lots of things for kids to spend their coins on. We need a draw for adults with dollars.

[AC2717]

I think it would be a nice place to hit for afternoon and evening activities, some sit down restaurants some vendors, nice stores, a place where people would want to come and walk around at night, much like lets say the boardwalk in Myrtle beach, or downtown Disney. Not that crazy, but like people say above, make it so people will want to come down and spend the money. I think still have a arcade or two to get the kids involved. but some nice restaurants
maybe a dueling piano bar and grille. and a couple more restuarants with a bunch of local shops for local craftsmen and what not, a couple of arcades, with the mount. with a nice little deal like that who would not want to go up there and stroll the boardwalk. Maybe even a redesign of the road to make some waterfront restaurants


What it is turning into or already has, is been a hangout for teenages to escape from their parents and hang out and cause mischeif. there is also hints of bad elements seeping into the area because it is getting so run down. THe Town should be on the property owners and shop keeps to upgrade or refinish and if that means that somethings close down and are forced to sell, new owners (new money) will come in and revitalize the area. The town should set up a revitalization project and model it from ideas taken from Wolfboro, Meredith, and others around the country

By the way this still does not mean that bike week can't happen, it could.

[Sunset View]

Hey folks, Beware of what you wish for as far as the Weirs needing to change. Change to what? Upscale is where i see it going in the future which will drive out the working class. I like it honky tonk and bike week forever. Can anyone afford Meredith Bay? If more of these type developments continue I guarantee kiss bike week goodbye. Then the beloved drive-in becomes more condos and before long what attracted people to the Weirs becomes like any other onclave for the wealthy.PJS, I ride a Harley, am a professional business person and I value your point; mine was merely focused on the embarrassment that is the burned out, falling apart and accident waiting to happen WOS. I hope it can be torn down soon and a replacement of similar venue put up in its place. Honky-tonk is one thing, a structural pit is another. I don't think anyone on the forum ever said or suggested anything "Upscale", I'm with you, the offerings in Meredith are ridiculous.........that all said and I think you'd agree, the Wide Open Saloon is an eyesore and if anyone believes this burned out dump is attracting any people to the Weirs, then I too respectfully give up. I'd suggest to everyone/anyone that wants this type of eyesore in their backyard to forget fireworks at Funspot, The Weirs, Meredith, Winnisquam, Center Harbor or Alton; bring all your fireworks this July 4th to the front of the WOS, celebrate your love of filth, burned out buildings, no tresspassing signs and the hazard that this structure has become and light away with gusto.........welcome to Talledega Nights Weirs style. Ricky Bobby!!!!!!

[jtb9212]

Long story short. Anything owned or managed by the Baldi family will certainly be less than par. Talk about a family that knows hows to work the system for every angle they can. I am sure that eyesore will be there for years to come for us all to look at. That group of losers can play the victim for all its worth better than anyone.

[Wreckn1]

Long story short. Anything owned or managed by the Baldi family will certainly be less than par. Talk about a family that knows hows to work the system for every angle they can. I am sure that eyesore will be there for years to come for us all to look at. That group of losers can play the victim for all its worth better than anyone.

I highly doubt the city will let it sit there for "years" this I am sure of

[NoRegrets]

I highly doubt the city will let it sit there for "years" this I am sure of

The fire was in September 2010. It will be 2 years in 5 months.

[Channel Pirate]

As the manager of a local hotel, I will be advising my new and repeat customers to not spend a dime @ the Drive in or Waterslide this summer and as long as the building stands.

2 people per unit x 28 units x 14 weeks = 784 people a summer that I will not be sending there way.

Until they do whats right.

[no-engine]

As the manager of a local hotel, I will be advising my new and repeat customers to not spend a dime @ the Drive in or Waterslide this summer and as long as the building stands.

2 people per unit x 28 units x 14 weeks = 784 people a summer that I will not be sending there way.

Until they do whats right.

Totally in favor of your policy!!!

[ChocolateGypsy]

I highly doubt the city will let it sit there for "years" this I am sure of

Where I am in Laconia for the moment, there are now several abandoned/condemned buildings that are home to various local wildlife, roaming teens and their drug dealers. One has been there for "years," the others met the same fate more recently. The only thing the city has done is to post a "condemned" notice on them.

Count your blessings in that even the squatters don't want anything to do with the building at the Weirs.

[Pineedles]

Where I am in Laconia for the moment, there are now several abandoned/condemned buildings that are home to various local wildlife, roaming teens and their drug dealers. One has been there for "years," the others met the same fate more recently. The only thing the city has done is to post a "condemned" notice on them.

Count your blessings in that even the squatters don't want anything to do with the building at the Weirs.

Oh boy, sounds like a dangerous area. I bet your glad they didn't let that methadone clinic to be allowed there.

[laketrout]

Unforunately The city of Laconia has NO leadership when it comes to the Weirs. I love Weirs beach and the area but until the city has a master plan for the Weirs and the area it will languish and suffer. The Weirs needs a master plan sort of what happened with Meredith or Hampton beach, NH. Weirs needs to keep its honky Tonkin heritage!

[fatlazyless]

Anyone know what's happening to the six acre parcel that fronts Route 3 that is just downhill and south of the Cumberland gas station. All the trees have been cut, the lot has been graded somewhat......and there's numerous wood stakes with orange marks all set into the untreed lot all over, so something seems like it has been planned out..........rumor was a storage rental business where you rent out garage style space.......from some old thread ......but that may or may not be the case.......what-o-what might be planned in there?

Also.......how long before something happens with the vacant, empty lot that used to be home to the Karl's Fine Food restaurant?

Most all of the storefronts in the nearby commercial mini mall that is home to the Weirs Post Office are vacant and show "For Lease" signs as well.......even a Dunkin Donuts that was in there closed up. So......Weirs Beach.......and just maybe the new Weirs roundabout will get things rolling along to some better year round businesses at the Weirs ......hopefully .....the roundabout center will get a real decorative garden that get's some regular garden care as opposed to the nearby Meredith roundabout which has a circle of low water perennials that look like so many ugly, dry, weed style plants as opposed to what can be done in a garden that gets watered.......and maintained......

Say-hey......is there any local garden volunteers out there that has a green thumb or two and some water for the new Weirs roundabout center spot that will be replacing the historic "malfunction junction" of Route 3 and 11A?

[TiltonBB]

The Weirs area is difficult for property and business owners because you have to make a years income and expenses in 3 months.

I think a lot of people who vacation or spend summers in the area do not realize how deserted Weirs Beach becomes in the winter.

Did Dunkin Donuts close for good or just for the winter?

[Wreckn1]

let me rephrase this....once the city takes ownership of the building/property, which they will, that building will be demolished within 2 months (due to the bid process etc). Believe it or not the city REALLY wants that building gone, but right now their hands are tied

[no-engine]

Doesn't city, each year, need to issue permit to the Drive-in?
Or some sort of papers that say fine to open up. Place is hazardous to negotiate a car to view the screen, and/or use the facilities for movie goers!

Access right next to the burned structure, ready to collapse!

[nicole]

The Weirs area is difficult for property and business owners because you have to make a years income and expenses in 3 months.

I think a lot of people who vacation or spend summers in the area do not realize how deserted Weirs Beach becomes in the winter.

Did Dunkin Donuts close for good or just for the winter?

It closed for good.

[Channel Pirate]

The fact that the "B" family will fight to the bloody end no matter what the impact is to the surrounding community speaks volumes about there charactor.

The area has been very good to them over the years.

[Channel Pirate]

I guess we will have to wait a few more years and see what the US Supreme Court has to say about the "literally" Wide Wide Open Saloon.

[Mr. V]

Get rid of Skee Ball and replace it with beer pong.

[ChocolateGypsy]

Oh boy, sounds like a dangerous area. I bet your glad they didn't let that methadone clinic to be allowed there.

Are you being sarcastic? The clinic's at the hospital.

[Belmont Resident]

yeah I am sure all the people that are lake front that have the train embankment through their property want people and the added foot traffic to their land. (trian aside of course) Then all those people stopping to take breaks on their land, the trash that might be left there and the noise during the night of kids and people walking talking and biking up and down their property, not to mention that snow mobilers (not that I am against snow mobiles) would probably use it like the tracks now

Just think of that whole beautiful semi private property that people paid from between the Weirs and Meredith having to put up with that stuff, yeah that is fair to them,
what a joke

oh yeah with the fence requirement now these people with right away access on the water, would now have to hop over a fence on each side of the trail, yeah talk about beautification, my foot!

kinda like living in Boston hu?:D:eek:

[AC2717]

Belmont Resident
why are you pulling one of my posts from another thread, the one on the walkway form laconia center to meredith

That is a different subject. This is about the weirs boardwalk area, not residential land that the city wants to take to make a walkway/bike path.

[Belmont Resident]

Belmont Resident
why are you pulling one of my posts from another thread, the one on the walkway form laconia center to meredith

That is a different subject. This is about the weirs boardwalk area, not residential land that the city wants to take to make a walkway/bike path.

It was just a joke. But from what I understand when the Southdown concept plan was put forth way back when, there was suppose to be a bike/walk path through the area but it was never built.
Personally I do not care either way; if it is built I would use it to ride or roller blade on.
If it doesn’t get built it won’t bother me either. Personally I would never use someone else’s property to relax on, but I do see your point.

[AC2717]

No worries then, sometimes tough for me to read expressions over the computer

[Sunset View]

Birchhaven...

That property you mentioned was originally a restaurant that went out of business (Karl's) and later burned. The property owner did the right thing and tore down the building. The owner of the property has since used it for Bike Week parking. I seriously doubt that 9 days of Bike Week parking covered the taxes on the property.

Meanwhile, they found a buyer for the property (rumoured to be Irving Oil) who was going to transform the property into some sort of gas station/drive thru, contingent on approval from the city. The city was onboard but wanted the property developer to pay the COST of the now being built rotary. That KILLED the project dead.

Just another example of how the City of Laconia thinks....

I suspect with the rotary being built and paid for by the city & state this vacant property will be more "buildable" now. No doubt we will see something there fairly soon.


Belmont Resident...

I agree that NH as a whole needs to create jobs and attract families. The Weirs IS a tourist/resort area, no different than Gunstock or Cannon or Sunapee. I think its in the best interest of the area and the state to attract tourists in any manner possible. Unfortunately, the Weirs is primarily a summer destination. There are some fall/winter activities but it is VERY weather dependent. This year there was no snow so there was no snowmobile business at all and the ski tourist business was off as well.

Woodsy Or as my wife always reminds me; beauty fades, dumb is forever!

[no-engine]

The condition is absolutely ludicrous.

Saw today, the Meredith Dover Street 2.5 story building that had serious fire over the weekend, what looked like inspectors with Fire Department protective gear, seriously looking at the second floor back deck! Speculate looking for cause of fire.

Also, People NOT dressed like that removing personal items from first floor. Two large trash containers filling with bags of stuff.

What is wrong with owners at Weirs building? Fours days in Meredith and work is being done! Come on Baldi family, move on!!!!

WE JUST CAN NOT UNDERSTAND. We hope owners of adjacent properties get together and force city of Laconia to proceed with demolition and a property lien!

[Belmont Resident]

No worries then, sometimes tough for me to read expressions over the computer

I've done quite a bit of work on Southdown and have met a lot of pro and con to the trail. Me I don't care either way weather it happens or not, if it is there I might use it. I'd prefer to MTN bike in the woods not the pavement.

[upthesaukee]

What is wrong with owners at Weirs building? Fours days in Meredith and work is being done! Come on Baldi family, move on!!!!


Two issues remain here...One is can it be rebuilt or not...If not, it has to be demolished. Issue #2 deals with the insurance...the carrier is denying coverage...If I was the property owner, I would want to exhaust all avenues before the demolition came out of my wallet. Until that is resolved, the building will stand, I'm afraid. Unfortunately, the world of litigation is indeed a painfully slow one. As a former underwriter and manager with a top 25 insurance company, I saw litigation take not just months, not just years, but literally decades to be resolved. Hopefully this will not fall into the latter time frame.

All of this does not change the fact that it is an eyesore, and yes, we all would like to see it either repaired or razed, but I for one still would like the owners to be afforded their just due in the legal system. :rolleye1:;):(

[Winnisquamguy]

Looks like things are finally starting to come together. It has been a long road with not much support from the community. My love goes out to all you supports who have been there for me and my family, and understand the depths of how complicated this has all been. I know I still have a while before I reach the top of giant hill, and for all you local nasty's......well I belive in karma. I have not lost my fight or my strength, so I will continue on and remain hopeful.

[Resident 2B]

Looks like things are finally starting to come together. It has been a long road with not much support from the community. My love goes out to all you supports who have been there for me and my family, and understand the depths of how complicated this has all been. I know I still have a while before I reach the top of giant hill, and for all you local nasty's......well I belive in karma. I have not lost my fight or my strength, so I will continue on and remain hopeful.

Classy (not) or what? Tear this eyesore down. It is killing property values and property sales in the area.

R2B

[SIKSUKR]

Wow! Poor me, not much support from the local nastys. What? I'm not a local but I do agree with one of the statements. Karma. Hope it bites the right hand.

[Winnisquamguy]

Classy (not) or what? Tear this eyesore down. It is killing property values and property sales in the area.

R2B
Hey don't shoot the messenger, I just copy and pasted what she wrote on her Facebook page!!

[Resident 2B]

Hey don't shoot the messenger, I just copy and pasted what she wrote on her Facebook page!!

No ill intent to you at all. I am happy that you posted the FaceBook message. It shows what strange thinking goes in the minds of some people.

How someone can be responsible for the longevity of that eyesore and call other people "local natsy's" [sic] really is hard to understand.

I am within 1,500 feet of that place. I have been trying to sell on and off for two years and the feedback from my broker is potential buyers are concerned about the rundown look of that burnt out building near the bridge and its negative impact on the general area.

Sorry for the misunderstanding.

R2B

[no-engine]

No ill intent to you at all. I am happy that you posted the FaceBook message. It shows what strange thinking goes in the minds of some people.

How someone can be responsible for the longevity of that eyesore and call other people "local natsy's" [sic] really is hard to understand.

I am within 1,500 feet of that place. I have been trying to sell on and off for two years and the feedback from my broker is potential buyers are concerned about the rundown look of that burnt out building near the bridge and its negative impact on the general area.



If I were as close as 1500 feet, I get together with neighbors and abutters, and sit in on City Council meetings, AND then during every "citizen input" time on the agenda bring the subject up for discussion in minutes of the meeting. It is beyond my understanding that an insurance provider and the State Fire Inspectors and the Courts can drag their feet so long.

Have a look at the fire damage in Meredith on Dover Street: No more than four days after the fire they are in their performing the inspection & clean-up process.

[no-engine]

Laconia Daily Sun http://www.laconiadailysun.com/

Headline: petition being signed! Bravo, Bravo, Bravo, Bravo!!!!!!

I'd gladly sign, but I vote in an abutting Town, not Laconia.
Seriously, if Lakes Region voters and/or interested parties can be included, I will seek out one of the petitions.

In any case, I wish a successful conclusion to the leaders of the petition.

Contractor for roundabout has equipment on this site; let them tear it down as they wind down for summer season's traffic, the time I read they plan to put their work on hold!

Cell phone picture from a friend in January....

[Sunset View]

Laconia Daily Sun http://www.laconiadailysun.com/

Headline: petition being signed! Bravo, Bravo, Bravo, Bravo!!!!!!

I'd gladly sign, but I vote in an abutting Town, not Laconia.
Seriously, if Lakes Region voters and/or interested parties can be included, I will seek out one of the petitions.

In any case, I wish a successful conclusion to the leaders of the petition.

Contractor for roundabout has equipment on this site; let them tear it down as they wind down for summer season's traffic, the time I read they plan to put their work on hold!

Cell phone picture from a friend in January.... Thank you John Ganong and Don Thurston!!!!! I remember Don Thurston often saying " I'm just trying to make a living" what a challenge that must be with that eyesore so close in proximity to the business Don's father built so long ago.............times have changed for sure!

After reading the Laconia Daily Sun article I can't help but feel the Baldi family could care less about the Weirs, its neighbors, the season, or the many thousands of tourists that call the Lakes Region one of the most beautiful places on earth. The poor image they have created while ignoring the well being of their fellow buisness people says enough for me. Time to not only sign the petition but also to send a loud message to the Baldis by never frequenting their other businesses.

Finally, the article that purports the council members are intimidated says enough for me. Vote them all out next election!!! Let's all get behind the tear down of this eyesore and return the entry to the Lakes Region to its beauty. Again, many thanks to John Ganong and Don Thurston for having the courage and the spine to not only speak out but to challenge the status-quo!

[jtb9212]

You should read this. It’s a transcript of the Baldi's bankruptcy. It just goes to show you their mentality. These people only care about themselves and will skirt the rules any way they can to satisfy their own selfish needs.

They don't care about the area or anyone else but themselves.

[no-engine]

Another view. For those who have not driven around back on the drive-in's entry road. Taken by cell phone by friend and emailed to me.

[mhtranger]

You should read this. It’s a transcript of the Baldi's bankruptcy. It just goes to show you their mentality. These people only care about themselves and will skirt the rules any way they can to satisfy their own selfish needs.

They don't care about the area or anyone else but themselves.

It is funny since I do not know the owners I did a Google search and came across the same thing. What a joke that read was.

[Hermit Cover]

As we drive thru the Weirs and drive frequently around the lake...we have decided that this is the WORST eyesore in the region....BAR none!! What a shame this beautiful lake has to contend with this ugliness. We feel for the next door neighbors...we have no feelings for the owners...they have allowed this blight to continue for toooooo long! Bulldoze that place....:confused:

[Belmont Resident]

As we drive thru the Weirs and drive frequently around the lake...we have decided that this is the WORST eyesore in the region....BAR none!! What a shame this beautiful lake has to contend with this ugliness. We feel for the next door neighbors...we have no feelings for the owners...they have allowed this blight to continue for toooooo long! Bulldoze that place....:confused:

And then bulldoze the owners....:D

[jtb9212]

I also find it odd that the city won't do anything to step in and tear it down themsleves. They are getting ready to write a check for $2.16 million for the Laconia Prison property. But, I guess I don't blame the city that much, I'm sure they know if the pay the expense to tear it down they will never get a dime out of the Baldi's. I think the city would have better odds at winning Power Ball than getting a dime out of the Baldi's.

[no-engine]

Maybe City should do it and of course place Lien on property, AND a lien on the rental revenue which contractor pays!!!!

I wonder if any Baldi family member, or any member of Chamber of Commerce, or any official in City Government, or any member of government in any neighboring community? I hope they are reading all over this forum!

[NoBozo]

Maybe City should do it and of course place Lien on property, AND a lien on the rental revenue which contractor pays!!!!

I wonder if any Baldi family member, or any member of Chamber of Commerce, or any official in City Government, or any member of government in any neighboring community? I hope they are reading all over this forum!

I seriously doubt that they ARE....reading this forum....and doubt that they CARE.. :look: NB

[Belmont Resident]

I seriously doubt that they ARE....reading this forum....and doubt that they CARE.. :look: NB

From the FB comments it makes you wonder. She did make a comment about the local nasties. The trouble is she is the one who is the local nasty with the eyesore.
As for all those comparing this to the Meredith fire well you really can’t.
These are two totally different situations. We know nothing about what goes or is going on behind the scenes at either location. Only so much is made public thru the news media and we all know just how accurate and believable the news media is now a day. :rolleye2:
I have a sister in law who had pipes burst in her house last December. She still has had very little work completed because of problems dealing with the insurance company.
There is between 70 and 80K worth of damage. :eek:
In her case one of the byproducts of dealing with a small insurance company, she had to threaten a lawyer because they were dragging their feet so bad with the claim.

[RailroadJoe]

Lawyers and insurance companies. The "bane of man"

[riverat]

Point taken.
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p277/riverat2000/weirs.jpg

[tis]

I heard today someone has started a petition to get it cleaned up.

[SIKSUKR]

I heard today someone has started a petition to get it cleaned up.

Just posted 13 posts behind you.

[kchadw]

There was an article in the Union Leader over the weekend ( Sat. I think ) about the petition....Not sure what it said...couldn't open it up for some reason...probably my computer..

I have lived in N. H., Ma. and Florida and have never seen such an eyesore last so long as this has....it's got to be one of the worst, not only in that area, but in the State of N. H.

Usually situations like this are taken care of within 30 to 90 days. You can bet it there was a school bus stop close and little kids running around, it would have been torn down years ago...

[Sunbeam lodge]

The fact that the "B" family will fight to the bloody end no matter what the impact is to the surrounding community speaks volumes about there charactor.

The area has been very good to them over the years.
I took the time to read the bankruptcy petition.
If you want to get an idea of the character of the family it makes good reading.
How can they have unfiled or unpaid FED income taxes and then verify and certify that the information is accurate and then say it is not right or forgot or made a mistake.
Take the time to read about the process and bankruptcy proceedings and you will get an inside view of the family, lawyers and system.
Great system.

[Mr. V]

I took the time to read the bankruptcy petition.

As did I.

Wow.

What a piece of ... work.

At one moment he tries to come off as a distracted, clueless, disinterested victim; the next he shows great understanding of his businesses and their complicated structure, together with an astounding display of selective memory.

An arrogant dissembler who seems to be playing 3 card monte with the bankruptcy trustee.

I thought that the examiner, Geraldine Karonis, representing the U.S. Trustee, performed an effective examination of Mr. Baldi.

I am still scratching my head over his comment that he decided to go to court and legally change his name to from "Steven" to "Lawrence" when he was in the fourth grade; I was reading comics and playing baseball in fourth grade, not having existential epiphanies and lawyering up.

The examination is supposed to be continued, to be resumed upon him providing info he "forgot" to provide; please provide a link to the upcoming examination on this thread when it becomes available: this is very interesting and informative and a great way to get a read on a person's true character.

[jtb9212]

I took the time to read the bankruptcy petition.
If you want to get an idea of the character of the family it makes good reading.
How can they have unfiled or unpaid FED income taxes and then verify and certify that the information is accurate and then say it is not right or forgot or made a mistake.
Take the time to read about the process and bankruptcy proceedings and you will get an inside view of the family, lawyers and system.
Great system.

I worked for them during Bike Week a while back. What an eye opening experiance. The amount of cash that I saw change hands was incredible, stressing the word CASH.

Listening to some of the vendors who were renting asphalt from the Baldi's was pretty disturbing. One guy way paying $3000 per day for his spot. Look at the number of vendors they have around the Water Slide, Saloon, Drive In, and the alley way to the Drive In. Try to do a count of vendors and do the rough math on how much money gets pulled in by them, again, stressing the word cash.

Then read the bankruptcy document. These people are all about the cash, hiding around the rules, and working the system for all its worth. Again, what a crew of losers.

[Resident 2B]

I have also read the bankruptcy deposition, a public document.

UNBELIEVABLE!!

He was unsure what his legal name is or what his father's legal name is as they could be the same, no idea what he signed or when he signed it, falsified gross incomes, unfiled federal taxes, incomplete listing of trade names and he signed the document certifying that, under the pain of perjury, his statements were accurate and complete.

Holy cow! Still walking the streets???

R2B

[no-engine]

FYI: he has passed, about a year ago.
Wife takes over the "assets".

[jtb9212]

FYI: he has passed, about a year ago.
Wife takes over the "assets".

Baldi Sr. I beleive died, but Baldi Jr. still alive and screwing the system....

[no-engine]

As I recall, yes, in his early 70's, and father in law to Saloon's land owner, Brandi, according to media stories.
All in the family. I would assume the drive-in owner is the widow, mother in law to Brindi.
Maybe, I'll do a search for the obit.

I think I'll drive by Thurston's to go in and ask about the petition. I'll sign, if OK as a non-Laconia voter; I am taxpayer and registered in town abutting Laconia.

[AC2717]

No-Engine
Please let us know, I own property in Laconia but as a non resident/voter I would love to sign it
or what they should do is start a online petetion

[tis]

Just posted 13 posts behind you.

Sorry, please forgive. I was too lazy to go back and read all the posts all over again.

[CGI3]

I just finished reading the transcript..I have one question...How the hell does he get away with it??!! Whats the name on your liscense, I dont know, I don't have it with me,I don't recall, I forgot to list that, Not sure if I owned that, my wife may own it, or run it, but Im not sure, you would have to ask her. When going through a divorce, I had to have every bank statement, tax return, credit card statement, utility bills, reciepts for anything I bought or sold with a value of over 500.00 for a ten year period! If if I did not I was threatened with contempt of court. He pushed "playing stupid" to a whole new level!

[ronc4424]

I have also read the bankruptcy deposition. Could I please have a show of hands from everybody who doesn't remember the date you got married. Lawrence Baldi the third couldn't either!.......:confused:

[Heaven]

It seems the only chance the city has of having the court give the city the right to remove the building is if the city can prove the building is an imminent hazard. IMHO it doesn't rise to that legal level, so the preparation for that court action would be a waste of taxpayer's money.

[riverat]

It seems the only chance the city has of having the court give the city the right to remove the building is if the city can prove the building is an imminent hazard. IMHO it doesn't rise to that legal level, so the preparation for that court action would be a waste of taxpayer's money.

Seems to me, especially with all this rain. there must be a ton of mold growing in there. that cannot be too healthy.

[upthesaukee]

...way too much ventilation, unfortunately :(.

[no-engine]

TWO OPTIONS:

1. Let kids torch it again - middle of the night, or when drive-in is playing a movie!

2. Have an intentional fire/rescue training for Lakes Region Mutual Aid, to level it.

Can't figure why contractor would park their equipment so close to building. Scroll back to see photograph.

[no-engine]

I have also read the bankruptcy deposition. Could I please have a show of hands from everybody who doesn't remember the date you got married. Lawrence Baldi the third couldn't either!.......:confused:

Strange, strange, strange! No wonder two divorces and three marriages. I've been divorced for 18 years, and married 20 years earlier, and I can tell you the date of the wedding! I do not really intend to remember because we are not together, but I do.
I did not realize that the water slide across street is Baldi also. I wonder if there is a relationship to person who has "yard sale" in upper portion of parking lot on an unpredictable basis.
I really skimmed the file, but caught a statement that Busby Construction is owed some funds. Now, what's that conclude when we see that Busby is the contractor for the roundabout and is using Baldi land for their site office and staging area?
Then, I did not follow along the relationship with the Scott Farah FRM firm which I think has been convicted of Ponzi scheme, investors loosing much money! What's with that name?

[no-engine]

No-Engine
Please let us know, I own property in Laconia but as a non resident/voter I would love to sign it
or what they should do is start a online petetion

I had timing issues and never did find out if petition signors was required to be a Laconia voter. I reside/vote in neighboring town. I don't know where to find John Ganong.

I did call Thurston's Marina one day; lady said no Thurston was on the property, and she was not aware of details of the petition. Maybe I can stop today, Saturday 12th.

I hope making a comment, bumps this thread up.
If I were part of Busby Construction, I would never park equipment so near the building. Apparently the drive-in is open weekends, and certainly is not good public relations to movie attendees!

[Mr. V]

You can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk?

A group of protesters picketing the property would be a unique, inexpensive and effective way of bringing this matter to a head.

[jtb9212]

Maybe the best way to petition to have the Wide Open torn down would be to boycott going to the Drive In, hurt them where thier heart is, the wallet. Hate to see a business go out of business, but wouldn't mind if its a Baldi owned business. The public has the voice and the power to make them wake up, although I doubt they would get it.

[no-engine]

Maybe the best way to petition to have the Wide Open torn down would be to boycott going to the Drive In, hurt them where thier heart is, the wallet. Hate to see a business go out of business, but wouldn't mind if its a Baldi owned business. The public has the voice and the power to make them wake up, although I doubt they would get it.

Agreed! Personally, I have not gone to drive-in or theater downtown Laconia for many years. Also, I have not gone to the water slide, or recommended any.

I remember reading an inn/motel owner (not identified) on this thread posting that they plan to NOT recommend any of those businesses to their clients.

[Belmont Resident]

Agreed! Personally, I have not gone to drive-in or theater downtown Laconia for many years. Also, I have not gone to the water slide, or recommended any.

I remember reading an inn/motel owner (not identified) on this thread posting that they plan to NOT recommend any of those businesses to their clients.

Although the drive in theater has become a run down neglected place that one would cringe to use the bathrooms at the options could be worse.
Imagine it as the sight of just another mega hotel, resort or even worse condo’s that instead of tying up traffic at night on the weekends creates more traffic and adds another eye sore to the lake.

[jtb9212]

Click on the link and see what the Wide Open looked like when it was a hotel in its early days. What a beautiful majestic building. What a total shame to see it now and what is has become.

http://www.weirsbeach.com/Largejpgs/aquedoctanhotel.html

The Weirs was such a beautiful destination and has so much history. It is such a shame to see it where it is today. Enjoy the link to the photos. It really makes me sad to see that area in the state it is in today.

[RailroadJoe]

Not enough money coming in. So, out it goes.

[Belmont Resident]

Lawyers and insurance companies. The "bane of man"

Don’t forget politicians! Lawyers and politicians have to be the lowest form of life on the planet. There is no low they will not stoop too.
When you need a lawyer you need one, but you feel dirty the whole time you are around them and glad to be away when it is over.

[no-engine]

Click on the link and see what the Wide Open looked like when it was a hotel in its early days. What a beautiful majestic building. What a total shame to see it now and what is has become.

http://www.weirsbeach.com/Largejpgs/aquedoctanhotel.html

The Weirs was such a beautiful destination and has so much history. It is such a shame to see it where it is today. Enjoy the link to the photos. It really makes me sad to see that area in the state it is in today.

Thanks for the link.

AND we could remember the Ho-Jo's next door...
Also the victim of fire, whose origin is undetermined... In 70's or 80's?

[nhyitbos]

There was a great response to the petition signing. Yes, you don't have to be a resident because it is about "the community". The petition doesn't really need hundreds of names to make it's point. The city manager is all for this effort by Mr. Ganong. However, making it clear, Community encompasses those who pass by this burnt out eyesore on a daily basis. John Gagong will be presenting the petition, along with some residents, to the city council tonight at 7:30 p.m. The petition is to ENABLE the council to notify the state that "Time is of the Essence" for the residents and business owners in the Weirs. The legal problem is that the Supreme Court (there are multiple suits) has "dubbed" the suit by the city as "not detrimental to safety" and therefore has ranked its importance "low". The goal is to petition the court to "rank" it higher for a decision to allow the city to remove it. Rumor in the Weirs is that by June 15th there should be a decision. Unacceptable. That's the end of bike week and the beginning of tourism. Say what you will of the business owners and residents but they have been very quiet on this subject to allow the city, state and the owners (both title and lienholders) to work their way through the recovery of funds process. However, after almost two years this legal chess game is becoming too taxing upon the hotel/motels and cottages and affecting their livelyhoods of business income. The Lobster Pound has the most to loose from what I witness yesterday at brunch. The building is prominent from their dining room windows and it was the topic of discussion of some viewing patrons. Not sure they lived here so they didn't have the background of why it's still there. It is a known stat that the Weirs is over 35% of the city's income no matter how it is achieved. Bike week is a financial boom doggle for the businesses in Laconia also. The businesses that benefit the most are some that you wouldn't expect...Laconia Savings, TD Bank, Citizens, and Meredith Savings gives away thousands of dollars how? Collection of ATM fee's during bike week. Lowes, Ace Hardware, Trustworthy revenues rises from vendors needing construction supplies. Shaw's, Hannafords, Vista and Walmart for simple quick needs (coolers/prescriptions forgotten etc). Telephone company for vendor hook-ups, Amerigas and Rymes for hundreds of propane tanks and yes the City of Laconia stopped playing "fuzzy" math 9 years ago. In addition, many don't realize that the Weirs PO has extended hours during bike week (or used to) for tourists shipping leather home that they can't carry on their bike. Yes, time is of the essence to remove this building, tourism (not just bike week) season has arrived. I agree with one previous writer that I would rather be charged to the demolishing of this building for $400k (that's the estitmate) than $2.1M for the old prison or 1.5M for the Baldi's other property, the Colonial Theatre. The city likes to spend money except where they achieve the most money, the Weirs.:rolleye2: just saying.

[pelican]

I agree with one previous writer that I would rather be charged to the demolishing of this building for $400k (that's the estitmate) than $2.1M for the old prison or 1.5M for the Baldi's other property, the Colonial Theatre. The city likes to spend money except where they achieve the most money, the Weirs.


But, without a valid court order to demolish the building we're all at a standstill. If the city were to bulldoze this property without the court's consent there's a good chance they'd have to pony up the funds to rebuild for the Baldis. So, $400k for the demo and then another million or more in damages - whoo wee. Do you really want the property re-built @ the city's expense?
And I respectfully disagree - ALL the properties in the Weirs are being hurt by this eyesore, not just the Lobster Pound.
And if my memory isn't completely shot - I don't think the city was ever going to buy the Baldi's downtown theatre.
And if I had the financial means, I'd love to buy the old prison property for $2.1 million - that's a steal - about $8,000 per acre. Beautiful views, prime farmland, great investment potential. Sell off the parts that aren't a hazard and use the funds to clean up the parts that are and you're left with a really nice piece of property.

[BroadHopper]

Although the drive in theater has become a run down neglected place that one would cringe to use the bathrooms at the options could be worse.
Imagine it as the sight of just another mega hotel, resort or even worse condo’s that instead of tying up traffic at night on the weekends creates more traffic and adds another eye sore to the lake.

I can envision when state legislature OK casinos and Bruton Smith go ahead with his plan on a maga casino complex across from the speedway.

I'm willing to bet Canterbury will fight tooth and nail against the proposal. I would suggest Bruton buy out the Weirs and turn it into a mega casino complex. It is the only way we can really change the eye sore.

[Belmont Resident]

I can envision when state legislature OK casinos and Bruton Smith go ahead with his plan on a maga casino complex across from the speedway.

I'm willing to bet Canterbury will fight tooth and nail against the proposal. I would suggest Bruton buy out the Weirs and turn it into a mega casino complex. It is the only way we can really change the eye sore.

Everyone is talking about what an eye sore that one building is, but the truth is the whole Weirs is an eye sore. So, the run down drive in and burned out building fit right in.
The burned out building catches my eye less then the big ugly open parking area that gets used once a year for bike week, the clear cut area just up the hill and the boulevard itself is pretty run down.

Hey if they put a casino in it’s just another example of direction the area is going. And why it’s great for the visitors but once they move here and realize what it’s really like 7 days a week they become frustrated as well.

[Woodsy]

Personally.... I think the whole thing STINKS!

The Baldi's dont want it torn down but yet they dont take the initiative to rebuild it?? WHY? If it is truly a salvagable building, then rebuild it!

Its been well documented that the insurance co, Lloyd of London is refusing to pay. So we know there is a lawsuit looming there. We also know that there is a third party that has been granted interest in the lawsuit vs the city. Whats thier deal? hmmmm..

Once that building is torn down, the chances of collecting from Lloyd's goes from slim to ZERO... thats what this is all about.

I think the ownership/leasing/insurance of this property is all one big shell game....


Woodsy

[nhyitbos]

I agree with one previous writer that I would rather be charged to the demolishing of this building for $400k (that's the estitmate) than $2.1M for the old prison or 1.5M for the Baldi's other property, the Colonial Theatre. The city likes to spend money except where they achieve the most money, the Weirs.


But, without a valid court order to demolish the building we're all at a standstill. If the city were to bulldoze this property without the court's consent there's a good chance they'd have to pony up the funds to rebuild for the Baldis. So, $400k for the demo and then another million or more in damages - whoo wee. Do you really want the property re-built @ the city's expense?
And I respectfully disagree - ALL the properties in the Weirs are being hurt by this eyesore, not just the Lobster Pound.
And if my memory isn't completely shot - I don't think the city was ever going to buy the Baldi's downtown theatre.
And if I had the financial means, I'd love to buy the old prison property for $2.1 million - that's a steal - about $8,000 per acre. Beautiful views, prime farmland, great investment potential. Sell off the parts that aren't a hazard and use the funds to clean up the parts that are and you're left with a really nice piece of property.

The purpose of the petition is to expedite the court TO take down the building.. did you read the post? I never said that we should unilaterally demolish it. It's at a "standstill" because we haven't made an issue at the slowness of the courts. The courts ranking of the suit is the issue. Of course, a $1 turns to a million in value when seized. Second, the prison property for 2.1M would be off the tax rolls, therefore it would generate no property taxes. True, if you bought it then be on the tax rolls, so I hope an individual does purchase it and is able to sell it off in pieces. When has the city ever obtained a piece of property and sold it off in "pieces"? Excuse me, they have..the business park off of 106. However, has the initial investment of $400 ever been re-couped to date? No.

[jtb9212]

Maybe the city should do the demo, pay the bill, put a lean on the property. They would end up with the property because the Baldi's would never pay the restitution on it. In turn to compensate the city back they should say thank you and take the Colonial Property as the compensation instead of paying the $800K for it.

[nhyitbos]

Maybe the city should do the demo, pay the bill, put a lean on the property. They would end up with the property because the Baldi's would never pay the restitution on it. In turn to compensate the city back they should say thank you and take the Colonial Property as the compensation instead of paying the $800K for it.

Now that's a plan...you know, it's the lienholder A.E. Mitchell that will have to figure out if he's going to continue with the Baldi's AND if they do want to rebuild eventually....they will have to negotiate the grandfather's clause to rebuild on the same footprint and for the same purpose. I don't think you and I will hold our breath for that one on both parts!

We are in agreement that this whole situation is unfortunate for the Weirs and we indeed are being held "hostage" until the matter is settled. The good news is the community is agreement...take it down. There's no evidence left and the fire dept would love the practice! Thanks for your input..it is valuable. Tonight, council meeting 7:30...you know you're invited to attend.

[no-engine]

Sometimes City Council proceedings are broadcast live on cable.
Might anyone know if it will? But sometimes it's recorded and broadcast later.

[nhyitbos]

Sometimes City Council proceedings are broadcast live on cable.
Might anyone know if it will? But sometimes it's recorded and broadcast later.

Yes, it is live on Channel 25 or 26 tonight. Yes, they do broadcast later throughout the week. Good question.

[no-engine]

Yes, it is live on Channel 25 or 26 tonight. Yes, they do broadcast later throughout the week. Good question.

Thanks I assume John; I was able to see it.

Maybe because of the court status, appearances seemed that no City Officer volunteered to step up to the plate, and try to move the process along.

Isn't this sort of thing that the Chamber of Commerce could follow up and establish communications with Baldi family? Don't we stereotype a Chamber of Commerce to "work" with business issues?

I'm not familiar if there is a group of Weirs area businesses; if yes, one member could converse in professional manner with Baldi family.


Someone mentioned the word "arson"; I still can't understand that Busby parks vehicles & equipment so close to the building.

[nhyitbos]

Thanks I assume John; I was able to see it.

Maybe because of the court status, appearances seemed that no City Officer volunteered to step up to the plate, and try to move the process along.

Isn't this sort of thing that the Chamber of Commerce could follow up and establish communications with Baldi family? Don't we stereotype a Chamber of Commerce to "work" with business issues?

I'm not familiar if there is a group of Weirs area businesses; if yes, one member could converse in professional manner with Baldi family.


Someone mentioned the word "arson"; I still can't understand that Busby parks vehicles & equipment so close to the building.

WAC represents the area businesses...however, this is a community issue and many signed solely as property/business owners. I have tried to contact Larry on numerous times with no results. He has no intention of working with the community being either in the Weirs or Laconia. The mayor tonight was the only one who "got it" when it came to the petition. The petition was never asking for the unilateral force of the city to tear it down.....it was strictly to have the SUPREME COURT rank it higher to ALLOW the city to tear it down and place a lien on the property. The Baldi's are being unreasonable as not only business owners but as a community property owner. Based on results, they are the real loosers in this situation all over again...loss of respect from their neighbors/community and respect for themselves not having the dignity to accept that the business is lost and move on towards rebuilding their life and business. Funny, the Weirs hasn't taken a position against their plight in 20 months. However, just recently Ms. Baldi referenced her neighbors as "the nasty's" on her Facebook (FB) page. Sad. As for arson gossip, people can say what they will...there's no proof, there's no final fire report..I say, innocent until proven otherwise. However, the building cannot give anymore evidence...it should have come down without any lawsuits filed. The Baldi's are only guilty of only one thing, bad judgement in dealing with a loss.

[no-engine]

WELL STATED. Thank you!

[riverat]

http://www.wmur.com/news/31065487/detail.html

[jetskier]

"The city council recommended that area businesses talk to the building's owners about the issue."

Really?

Jetskier:cool:

[crowsnest]

LACONIA, N.H. -- Business owners in Laconia are asking the city to tear down the remnants of a restaurant that was destroyed in a fire.

The Wide Open Saloon burned down in 2010. A shell of the building is still standing as the family who owns it, the insurance company and the city fight over the future of the property.

Weirs Beach business owners said the building is an eyesore and hurts tourism.

The city council recommended that area businesses talk to the building's owners about the issue. :laugh::laugh::laugh:

REALLLLY :rolleye2:

[crowsnest]

"The city council recommended that area businesses talk to the building's owners about the issue."

Really?

Jetskier:cool:

Sorry it looks like we had the same thaught at the same time :cheers:

[no-engine]

LACONIA, N.H. -- Business owners in Laconia are asking the city to tear down the remnants of a restaurant that was destroyed in a fire.

The Wide Open Saloon burned down in 2010. A shell of the building is still standing as the family who owns it, the insurance company and the city fight over the future of the property.

Weirs Beach business owners said the building is an eyesore and hurts tourism.

The city council recommended that area businesses talk to the building's owners about the issue. :laugh::laugh::laugh:

REALLLLY :rolleye2:

I think user nhy... was there and expressed it very well; I was watching it live on community TV.

Be careful what one reads on WMUR TV, as quite incomplete.

As I wrote, I think City officials are careful how they express personal opinions, because of the court situation not concluded. Their hands are tied.

They did agree that it's an eyesore too long. I'm not legal authority, but I think if they disobey a court order which is in appeal stage, they have problems. I think they agreed to encourage the courts to move on the issue.

Council DID suggest that first thing should be communications immediately.

There was a more accurate (than Chan 9) report in today's Sun Daily paper on page 11.
I speculate that that Chan 9 was not present.

If nothing else, some media activity was created! I'd say: NICE WORK, JOHN!

[Belmont Resident]

I think user nhy... was there and expressed it very well; I was watching it live on community TV.

Be careful what one reads on WMUR TV, as quite incomplete.

As I wrote, I think City officials are careful how they express personal opinions, because of the court situation not concluded. Their hands are tied.

They did agree that it's an eyesore too long. I'm not legal authority, but I think if they disobey a court order which is in appeal stage, they have problems. I think they agreed to encourage the courts to move on the issue.

Council DID suggest that first thing should be communications immediately.

There was a more accurate (than Chan 9) report in today's Sun Daily paper on page 11.
I speculate that that Chan 9 was not present.

If nothing else, some media activity was created! I'd say: NICE WORK, JOHN!

A couple of us were just talking about how terrible WMUR is when it comes to news reporting.
I hate to admit it but Channel 7 and FOX 25 both have better more accurate coverage on NH news and even breaking new then WMUR does.

[Sunset View]

We need to have the WOS razed/removed; Memorial Day weekend is less than 2 weeks away and again, we must live with the filth, smell and disgusting image projected by the burned out dump the Wide Open Saloon is!

This isn't about bike week or the people that ride, it's about the eyesore the WOS has become. How in God's name can the town, elected state and town officals and the especially Gov Lynch allow that embarrassment to continue to stand? Amazing that in this day and age people like the Baldis can control the system, I read all the court documents so I'm not surprised by the inaction but, enough is surely enough! Don Thurston, you are a powerful, reasonable and smart man, you along with your brother Jeff must be able to move this process along. It can't be good for business.

[no-engine]

Well stated, SV!

It's got to be a health hazard for the neighbors AND the Busby workers.
The upper floors seem more precarious every day that I go by.
The wrecking ball would have a blast ~ toppling so easily.

[meredith weekender]

Well stated, SV!

It's got to be a health hazard for the neighbors AND the Busby workers.
The upper floors seem more precarious every day that I go by.
The wrecking ball would have a blast ~ toppling so easily.


maybe the BUSBY Equipment can somehow back into the structure and take it down :laugh::laugh::laugh:

[no-engine]

Great idea!
However, when skimming the documents, I understood there exists a debt to Busby; thus only far out speculation that there is some bartering going on. Otherwise, why would any contractor park vehicles so close to a very unstable building???

Media coverage is getting out again: Today's Laconia Daily Sun has a caption under a photo of bulbs being replaced at the Weirs Sign, on front page. WOS in background! Well done, Sun!

[kchadw]

Each summer and fall when I return to N. H. I travel to the Weirs and around the lake and other areas....Each time, I make a comment to my wife about h ow much of an eyesore this is for the area and how it must hurt business in the area.

Has anyone discussed a law suit against the city ? I have never seen anything like this to last as long as this has...Maybe a local business org. could bring a suit against the responsible party or parties for allowing this to go on...I really think a discussion with an attorney could at least get some answers...if not more...

I'll be passing again soon....Hopefully something positive will be on the books by then...

[Heaven]

Each summer and fall when I return to N. H. I travel to the Weirs and around the lake and other areas....Each time, I make a comment to my wife about h ow much of an eyesore this is for the area and how it must hurt business in the area.

Has anyone discussed a law suit against the city ? I have never seen anything like this to last as long as this has...Maybe a local business org. could bring a suit against the responsible party or parties for allowing this to go on...I really think a discussion with an attorney could at least get some answers...if not more...

I'll be passing again soon....Hopefully something positive will be on the books by then...

I'm not sure why this point keeps getting lost - The owners are entitled to all of the available due processes under the law before their property can be seized from them for any reason. Yes, maybe the petition will be noticed by the Court and this will be put on top of the pile. Maybe not. The property is secured with fencing and the building is not an imminent hazard. The rear of the building even looks salvageable (just sayin'!).
Could be that the owners are creeps, but that doesn't count in property law.

[Winnisquamguy]

Has anyone discussed a law suit against the city ? I have never seen anything like this to last as long as this has...Maybe a local business org. could bring a suit against the responsible party or parties for allowing this to go on...I really think a discussion with an attorney could at least get some answers...if not more...
You sound like the people in Arlington, MA who are not allowed to use leaf blowers anymore or in Concord, MA with the no bottled water....What is wrong with people days? There is much more in life to worry about than all this sh**!!

[AC2717]

You sound like the people in Arlington, MA who are not allowed to use leaf blowers anymore or in Concord, MA with the no bottled water....What is wrong with people days? There is much more in life to worry about than all this sh**!!

Do not forget Cambridge already voting the no weedwacker leaf blower law in, THE PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CAMBRIDGE.

Now they are all pissed becasue landscapers increased pricing, becuase cleanup now has to be done by hand, and they are pissed off it is costing them more

WHAT MORONS

Oh yeah Emperor Duval doe snot want the police to follow a federal law to report to ICE and the FEDS if they pull over someone that is an illegal because it is not fear, he went out publically against this

[Happy Gourmand]

We need to have the WOS razed/removed; Memorial Day weekend is less than 2 weeks away and again, we must live with the filth, smell and disgusting image projected by the burned out dump the Wide Open Saloon is!

This isn't about bike week or the people that ride, it's about the eyesore the WOS has become. How in God's name can the town, elected state and town officals and the especially Gov Lynch allow that embarrassment to continue to stand? Amazing that in this day and age people like the Baldis can control the system, I read all the court documents so I'm not surprised by the inaction but, enough is surely enough! Don Thurston, you are a powerful, reasonable and smart man, you along with your brother Jeff must be able to move this process along. It can't be good for business.

Why stop the blame at the Governor? I think it's Obama's fault!
I'm with Heaven on this, like it or not, agree or disagree, the owners, regardless of their community standing and personal behavior, are entitled to their due process.
We'd all like to make this go away, but until the court decides, we all have to abide by and respect the process.
Like somebody said, It is what it is.

[no-engine]

There's a new user named weirs drive in or close to that phrase. Maybe some conversation can be established. There was a post on thread related to the domain name of drive in........

On another stupid note heard as I was gassing my car at the Citgo convenience store, on the Laconia side of the bridge. Another client said that owners of WOS are suing City because "City owns portions of building" because parts are on City property. I commented the road is State, but usually there is easement not ownership. To me, such story of suite is really just ludicrous. What more will come, but that's from only ONE now a RUMOR. He said the building is filled with asbestous!

I saw a Busby pick up truck very late today, and came close to asking driver why equipment is so near to the unstable building.

[nhyitbos]

There's a new user named weirs drive in or close to that phrase. Maybe some conversation can be established. There was a post on thread related to the domain name of drive in........

On another stupid note heard as I was gassing my car at the Citgo convenience store, on the Laconia side of the bridge. Another client said that owners of WOS are suing City because "City owns portions of building" because parts are on City property. I commented the road is State, but usually there is easement not ownership. To me, such story of suite is really just ludicrous. What more will come, but that's from only ONE now a RUMOR. He said the building is filled with asbestous!

I saw a Busby pick up truck very late today, and came close to asking driver why equipment is so near to the unstable building.

Somebody may WANT the city to own part of the building, I cannot speak specifically what the 4 suits entail (I do know that A is suing B is suing C is suing A) fits the scenerio anyway....but that's a stretch that the city has encroaching property lines, (if I understand the "rumor"); the title company would have never given a title policy with an encumbrance of that nature, wouldn't you agree?...let's chaulk that up to another wild rumor....what's not a rumor is that there IS asbestos. That is the reason for such a high cost to raze and disposed of...Glad you posted, it is important that rumors are dismissed as soon as possible. Come to think about it...if the owners would just keep neighbors abreast of "what's happening"..they might find more support than they realize. Oh well, we all conduct our business differently and they must think that this is the best course to eliminate further exposure to scrutiny but based on results not the gossip. Thanks again for posting the lastest so it could be addressed early.

[nhyitbos]

I'm not sure why this point keeps getting lost - The owners are entitled to all of the available due processes under the law before their property can be seized from them for any reason. Yes, maybe the petition will be noticed by the Court and this will be put on top of the pile. Maybe not. The property is secured with fencing and the building is not an imminent hazard. The rear of the building even looks salvageable (just sayin'!).
Could be that the owners are creeps, but that doesn't count in property law.

So true...except about the back...! Raze it...start o-v-e-r...:patriot:

[no-engine]

Somebody may WANT the city to own part of the building, I cannot speak specifically what the 4 suits entail (I do know that A is suing B is suing C is suing A) fits the scenerio anyway....but that's a stretch that the city has encroaching property lines, (if I understand the "rumor"); the title company would have never given a title policy with an encumbrance of that nature, wouldn't you agree?...let's chaulk that up to another wild rumor....what's not a rumor is that there IS asbestos. That is the reason for such a high cost to raze and disposed of...Glad you posted, it is important that rumors are dismissed as soon as possible. Come to think about it...if the owners would just keep neighbors abreast of "what's happening"..they might find more support than they realize. Oh well, we all conduct our business differently and they must think that this is the best course to eliminate further exposure to scrutiny but based on results not the gossip. Thanks again for posting the lastest so it could be addressed early.

Thanks for the thoughts/observations.
Owners would also likely NOT get an occupancy permit or liquor license if the bar/lounger were infringing on another 's property, especially State highway right of way!

So right, owners communications to neighbors would create much support! Maybe the group that went to City Council last week should go to Fire Marshal's office, assuming that proceedings are stalled there; media has reported that fire remains "under investigation." My observation: if not now, soon entry to lower level will be extremely bad idea due to instability of the upper floors. I would not enter the spaces, and I would never park my construction equipment so near a disaster "about to happen."

I encourage user "weirs drive in" to post comments!

[nhyitbos]

Thanks for the thoughts/observations.
Owners would also likely NOT get an occupancy permit or liquor license if the bar/lounger were infringing on another 's property, especially State highway right of way!

So right, owners communications to neighbors would create much support! Maybe the group that went to City Council last week should go to Fire Marshal's office, assuming that proceedings are stalled there; media has reported that fire remains "under investigation." My observation: if not now, soon entry to lower level will be extremely bad idea due to instability of the upper floors. I would not enter the spaces, and I would never park my construction equipment so near a disaster "about to happen."

I encourage user "weirs drive in" to post comments!

Update to your thought: Yesterday our WARD I Councilor Ava Doyle delivered in person to the NH Attorney General the petition for review and intervention as to RANKING the case higher on the docket list of the NH Supreme Court. Much thanks is given to Councilor Doyle as she did this on her own because she understood the importance of its message. Also, Paula Tracey of the Union Leader was in town yesterday doing a story on it..our friend John Ganong was thrilled at its delivery to the state and the developing story in the Union (maybe today's?)...he wants it on the Gov's desk...the man never quits (haha)...I like the wait and see...to go over the AG's head at this point would be insulting....yea WB for coming together as a community as a whole...couldn't be prouder.:cheers:

[SIKSUKR]

I found this kind of amusing when I read it on the Weirs Drive-in website reguarding motorcycle week vendor info.

Wide Open Salon
(property where it used to be):laugh:

One could only hope.

[P-3 Guy]

Update to your thought: Yesterday our WARD I Councilor Ava Doyle delivered in person to the NH Attorney General the petition for review and intervention as to RANKING the case higher on the docket list of the NH Supreme Court. Much thanks is given to Councilor Doyle as she did this on her own because she understood the importance of its message. Also, Paula Tracey of the Union Leader was in town yesterday doing a story on it..our friend John Ganong was thrilled at its delivery to the state and the developing story in the Union (maybe today's?)...he wants it on the Gov's desk...the man never quits (haha)...I like the wait and see...to go over the AG's head at this point would be insulting....yea WB for coming together as a community as a whole...couldn't be prouder.:cheers:

The court's going to do what the court's going to do. As a separate branch of government, they don't answer to the AG or even the Governor.

[nhyitbos]

The court's going to do what the court's going to do. As a separate branch of government, they don't answer to the AG or even the Governor.


That is true, however, doesn't cost anything to ask for what "you" want...we did...now we'll see...sometimes that's the trouble of society they don't ask because they take "no" personally. AG was interested, asked questions, drove by the site...that's all we asked for. You write as though we imposed ourselves for nothing. ;);) Based on results, I don't feel we did.

[P-3 Guy]

That is true, however, doesn't cost anything to ask for what "you" want...we did...now we'll see...sometimes that's the trouble of society they don't ask because they take "no" personally. AG was interested, asked questions, drove by the site...that's all we asked for. You write as though we imposed ourselves for nothing. ;);) Based on results, I don't feel we did.

No, it doesn't hurt to ask, and maybe you'll get a favorable result. I wouldn't hold my breath, though.

[no-engine]

FYI. A little off subject, BUT... came by earlier today.
Did not think worthy of a new thread.

Sign says paving tomorrow the 21st. think I'll avoid...

[nhyitbos]

FYI. A little off subject, BUT... came by earlier today.
Did not think worthy of a new thread.

Sign says paving tomorrow the 21st. think I'll avoid...

haha....I know thought the same thing and decided I better hit the grocery store today....anything else...Cumberland Farms.....what if it rains???? Do they still pave? Delay? .:eek:

PS Did you know that we are trying to get the city to start referring the roundabout as "Blackstone" roundabout...or circle or rotary? There is a plaque on the bridge referencing the brothers the bridge is dedicated to...time to retire "malfunction junction"...unless of course this doesn't work.

[nhyitbos]

Just received a text message that the Supreme Court is hearing the Wide Open Saloon case tomorrow.....let's hope this "rumor" source is reliable....:cheers:

Here's what I found on the Supreme Court website...looks like it's the opinion that is coming down but is it the "right" suit to raze the building ???

To be released May 22, 2012
■ 2010-679, State of New Hampshire v. Steven Forest
■2011-368, Appeal of Liberty Assembly of God & a .
■2011-381, Appeal of Town of Seabrook
■2011-502, 38 Endicott Street North, LLC v. State Fire Marshall, New Hampshire Division of Fire Safety

[jtb9212]

See attached link for the Supreme Court Ruling:

http://www.courts.state.nh.us/supreme/opinions/2012/2012057endicott.pdf

[RailroadJoe]

Like I say, those lawyers are pretty ...........

[Mr. V]

A well written opinion by the NH Supreme Court.

Logical, and it reached the correct result.

This is interesting ...

"In this case, the Fire Marshal provided the affidavit from Investigator
Clark as evidence that proceedings are reasonably anticipated. In the affidavit,
Investigator Clark specifically stated that “[t]he [f]ire investigation is open and
ongoing . . . [and] I have a reasonable belief that this investigation will lead to
criminal charges.” "

Hello, arson charge?

Stay tuned ...

[P-3 Guy]

See attached link for the Supreme Court Ruling:

http://www.courts.state.nh.us/supreme/opinions/2012/2012057endicott.pdf

So, this case was all about whether or not the owners of the property could have access to documents from the Fire Marshal's investigation. The court said no. What impact, if any, does this ruling have on the timeline for getting the structure razed? Is there another case pending with the New Hampshire Supreme Court?

[jtb9212]

Again, I will say it like I did in an earlier post. My prediction and I am sorry to say it. It will probably be years before anything is done with that property. Its already been what, 2 years? You have to keep in mind the calibler of people we are dealing with here. The Baldi's would probably spend the equivalent in attroney fees that they would to raze the structure.

Remember, for every attorney that was at the top of their class, there was an attorney at the bottom of thier class. Those are the ones who represent scum like this crew.

They are all about the money. Even if they finally tear it down. Even if they rebuild it. Do you think the people in the Lakes Region are going to embrace them re opening and support their business? I would hope not. Even if they were to rebuild, I am sure at the end there will be a list of people that they didn't pay and a list of people they screwed over. They screwed the company John Carter Sprinkler Company out of $36K for their sprinkler system. Never paid him a dime for all the work they did there.

But hey, lets all hold hands and go to the Drive-In. Better yet, how about some Laconians go to some public hearings and see about getting some vendor space permits denied for Bike Week.

Remember....sometimes some people just suck!!

[SIKSUKR]

I'm not sure these leagal ranglings can be compared between razing costs and lawyers.If I understand whats going on here its whether or not the insurance with pay out or not based on whether the fire was arson or another cause.Much bigger dollars at stake for recovery of insurance than trying to undermind an arson finding.

[jtb9212]

As I understand it the insurance comapny is not paying because the owners failed to meet the terms of the insurance companies requirements on the building. One of which was as I understand it having a fully sprinkled building. Only the 1st floor had sprinkler protection.

[Mr. V]

The suit was brought by the owners of the property who are understandably worried about why it is taking so long for the Fire Marshall to finish the investigation.

Their key concern is for their own hides, not tearing the building down.

Be patient, I see a "happy ending..."

[Sunset View]

Why stop the blame at the Governor? I think it's Obama's fault!
I'm with Heaven on this, like it or not, agree or disagree, the owners, regardless of their community standing and personal behavior, are entitled to their due process.
We'd all like to make this go away, but until the court decides, we all have to abide by and respect the process.
Like somebody said, It is what it is. Good point...it is Obama's fault!:)

[meredith weekender]

I think a bailout might be in order here. :laugh::laugh::laugh:

[nhyitbos]

I think a bailout might be in order here. :laugh::laugh::laugh:

haha...for us or the Baldi's....? What a mess...

[NoBozo]

Good point...it is Obama's fault!:)

YES..... BUT HE ..inherited it from BUSH. :D NB

[no-engine]

Bike week fast approaching, lets see how the traffic at the now partial roundabout goes? I think the plan was live as is till more work after Labor Day.

I keep going by and see no work on saloon. or no partial collapse of the unstable structure. Let's see how many vendors set up there and within grounds of the drive-in, and at the almost inactive water slide & mini golf?

[Sunset View]

YES..... BUT HE ..inherited it from BUSH. :D NB Riiiiiiiiiiiight................and I bet you look like Brad Pitt!

Back to topic: Knock down the dump that is/was the Wide Open Saloon!!! Come on people, it's summer and our area is looking worse and worse each week.........does anyone care about home values, tourists, and quality of community? Take a ride to Lake George, this type of eyesore would never be allowed to happen there and if it had, you can bet your bottom dollar no one would be talking about Bush or OBama; they wold be expediting the process to uphold the image that is Lake George. We need to do the same for our wonderful and beautiful Lake Winnipesaukee! Enough with the drive-in, enough with the waterslide (that also is looking pathetic) and enough with the Wide Open Saloon........the entry to Lake Winnipesaukee is being denigrated by 2/3s of these three estsblishments.......avoid the drive in and the waterslide at all costs! Obviously, the owners care little about our community or their businesses!

Go MITT!

[no-engine]

Back to topic[/U]: Knock down the dump that is/was the Wide Open Saloon!!! Come on people, it's summer and our area is looking worse and worse each week.........does anyone care about home values, tourists, and quality of community? Take a ride to Lake George, this type of eyesore would never be allowed to happen there and if it had, you can bet your bottom dollar no one would be talking about Bush or OBama; they wold be expediting the process to uphold the image that is Lake George. We need to do the same for our wonderful and beautiful Lake Winnipesaukee! Enough with the drive-in, enough with the waterslide (that also is looking pathetic) and enough with the Wide Open Saloon........the entry to Lake Winnipesaukee is being denigrated by 2/3s of these three estsblishments.......avoid the drive in and the waterslide at all costs! Obviously, the owners care little about our community or their businesses!


FOR SURE sunset! Great message.

Why not gather all the area firefighters and volunteer fire men/women and create a planned drill. What a training! Pre-planned within & the immediate neighbors, but not necessarily released to the media in advance.

Make it mid-week, very soon, after all the Holiday visitors are gone.
The Busby office trailer and most equipment is gone! A sure sign they are gone till September.

[Sunset View]

Can there be no connection to the dump that is the WB water slide and the run down Drive In? Is there no creativity ? Is there no concern whatsoever about the terrible reputation the Weirs is being cast with? How long will it be before those tourists with dollars to put back into the community will opt for different locations?....can't the town's selectmen and elected officals force the dead beat owners to spruce up both of those establishments while the general public and all the of the out of state tourists wait for the 5 year anniversary of the WOS's fire and tear down?

I ask you, where else would such aggregous shenanigans be allowed? Elected officals, you should all be ashamed of yourselves; I hope you all enjoy "The Dictator" at the drive in Friday night, may it rain like there's no tomorrow!

TIER THE WOS DOWN!

[no-engine]

Can there be no connection to the dump that is the WB water slide and the run down Drive In? Is there no creativity ? Is there no concern whatsoever about the terrible reputation the Weirs is being cast with? How long will it be before those tourists with dollars to put back into the community will opt for different locations?....can't the town's selectmen and elected officials force the dead beat owners to spruce up both of those establishments while the general public and all the of the out of state tourists wait for the 5 year anniversary of the WOS's fire and tear down?

I ask you, where else would such aggregous shenanigans be allowed? Elected officals, you should all be ashamed of yourselves; I hope you all enjoy "The Dictator" at the drive in Friday night, may it rain like there's no tomorrow!

TIER THE WOS DOWN!


VERY GOOD, Thanks for expressing opinion..... All three properties are family related as you must know! NOW, look at the revenue stream (cash likely) from bike related vender tents, including the bike week association at uphill parking of slide! Many in position for TWO weeks or more!

WHY NOT A LETTER TO EDITOR IN LOCAL PAPERS?

I would, but I work at a business in a neighboring community, and vote there. However, I do drive by very frequently.