I was born and raised in Laconia and would love to see it revitalized.
Unfortunately the original urban renewal project ruined the city.
If they had planned the project around a Riverwalk from Church st to Main with business' and higher end housing on both sides of the river as well as revitalizing the original Main st such as Newport did, I think it would have succeeded.
Building more housing and facilities for drug rehab may be socially conscious but doesn't do much to attract business and shopping to downtown.
I loved the old Colonial theater but I can't ever see it as a financial success.
Laconia is a ghost town on weekends.
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