[mcdude]

from WMUR....

State announces plans for welcome center on I-93 in Hooksett
$35 million project underway

HOOKSETT, N.H. —Calling it a Welcome Center that will be uniquely a "New Hampshire experience," Gov. Maggie Hassan broke ground on a new rest area complex at Hooksett, Thursday.

• The $35 million project will be like no other rest area in the country, assured Alex Ray, owner and founder of The Common Man, who with Rusty McLear of the Inns & Spa at Mill Falls in Meredith, forms Granite State Hospitality LLC, the state's new partner.

Chris Clement, commissioner of the Department of Transportation predicted that when completed in 18 months it will be a "must stop for NH residents and visitors alike," along Interstate 93.
In addition to a spacious visitor center and 24-hour country store, a '50s style diner and more, it will have a long dog walk area, more than 300 parking spaces, 16 Irving fuel stations and of course, improved wash rooms.
On both sides of the highway.
It seems like there is something in it for everyone to like.
For the NH Liquor Commission, which will see its tired, 7,800-square foot liquor store replaced and more than double in size, to 20,000 square feet, it will be a revenue driver.
To the public that drives the road, it will offer many more options.
Hassan said across the state, people are curious about this project.
"People are very excited about it," she said, and counted herself among them. When she tells them that the Common Man is the developer "they say 'Oh good....It's gonna be like New Hampshire.'"
Ray said there will be no national brands and no golden arches for the kids, "but we'll win them over," he assured.
Using notes he wrote on a crushed paper coffee cup which he found in the parking lot, Ray said he is "so excited to start something that is novel," and marveled that the entire team, with the possible exception of Irving Oil, is New Hampshire-based. Irving is based in New Brunswick, Canada.
Ray said he has visited more than 25 rest areas across the country and it will be like none of them.
"This will be a New Hampshire-themed product," he said.
Using mill style architecture, the new service areas, to be named Common Man Hooksett, will be designed by Samyn-D’Elia Architects, P.A. located in Ashland and built by Conneston Construction Inc. located in Gilford.
North- and southbound Service Areas will each feature:
-- Mill Building Architectural Style
-- 3,000 sq. ft. Interactive Visitor Center
-- 16,000 sq. ft. Uncommon Food Court
-- 3,000 sq. ft., 24-Hour Country Store
-- More than 300 Parking Spaces
-- New 20,000 sq. ft. New Hampshire State Liquor & Wine Outlet
-- 16 Irving Oil Fueling Stations
-- NH Bank
-- 16,000 sq. ft. NH Uncommon Food Court featuring a 1950s Hi-way Diner, Italian Restaurant, Country Deli/Sandwich Shop and Village Bakery/Coffee Sho
The project will use energy-efficient construction techniques.
It is also expected to create new jobs.
About 137 full-time equivalent jobs are expected to be created, exclusive of liquor & wine outlets.
Jeff Rose, commissioner of the state Department of Resources and Economic Development, said he is really excited about the project and what it can mean to tourism and economic development.
Currently, he said the rest areas get about 1 million visitors a year. The new facility will attract more people who will be able to learn more about the New Hampshire attractions, events and natural resources in an interactive visitor center.
Granite State Hospitality was one of three bidders for the project and the only one from New Hampshire.
Commissioner Clement credited House Majority Leader Gene Chandler of Bartlett, who served on a legislative long range committee, with suggesting that the private sector be offered a blank slate to make their proposals rather than the typical approach of a state agency sending out a narrow request for proposals.
Chandler said it was a good way to go and a no-brainer to get behind the NH team's proposal.
The project is a win-win for the state and private business and the traveling public, he said.
Work begins on the north side of the highway immediately and the south bound rest area will see construction begin at the beginning of next year. Both will be complete by April 2015.
In the construction period the rest areas and liquor stores will remain open, Clement assured.