The Weirs future and land below Cumberland Farms

[garysanfran]

Could there finally be a revitalization of the area beginning? Perhaps a vision and a plan?

Get out the dancing shoes?

A little late to invite The J. Geils Band to play, but progress has been slow here.

http://www.laconiadailysun.com/newsx...-the-weirs-625

[BroadHopper]

As 'AE' is called by the locals.

He proposed to add storage units on this spot a few years ago. Like the ones he owns on 106 in Belmont. Now he wants a conference center like 'The Hampton Casino'.

I know that Flightcraft the new owners of the Pier, 'Winnipesaukee Gardens' to the local, is restoring the dance floor in the big building, they have not expressed what their plans are. Could be a conflict?

[Woodsy]

There has been quite a bit of movement lately in the Weirs.... Its a great thing! They are redoing/repaving Lakeside Ave.... Flightcraft is redoing the Pier... The old Waterslide Ticket building is being converted to some kind of restaurant (clam shack?) All we need now is some vision/investment on the part of the Arcade owners....

Woodsy

[garysanfran]

There should be a thematic goal in this plan. A haphazard design will produce a disjointed result. Modern, retro, other?

I like the idea of doing a retro thing with antique street lighting. Saloons with the old swinging doors. Perhaps a stage coach. Miss Winnipesaukee rides...etc.

Bring the kids to see the "old days".

?

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by Woodsy

All we need now is some vision/investment on the part of the Arcade owners....

Woodsy

I love the idea of a re-vitalized Weirs Beach that aims to attract boaters now that bike week is dying on the vine.

Additionally, they could:

Widen the space between the town docks and perhaps extend them to deal with the added numbers of folks who would now want to dock there.

Allow overnight docking for a fee (say $2.50 a foot). This could easily pay for the dock improvements in a couple of years. They could start doing it right away too and accumulate the money to fix the docks ahead of time. It would be a great way to utilize the inner spaces where no one wants to tie up fearing being trapped.

[Mr. V]

Young people today dance to hip hop and electronica, not rock and the oldies.

Be careful what you ask for: you just might get it.

[gillygirl]

Originally Posted by garysanfran

Could there finally be a revitalization of the area beginning? Perhaps a vision and a plan?

Get out the dancing shoes?

A little late to invite The J. Geils Band to play, but progress has been slow here.

http://www.laconiadailysun.com/newsx...-the-weirs-625

The J. Geils Band has been playing without Geils for a while now.

[Outdoorsman]

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

As 'AE' is called by the locals.

He proposed to add storage units on this spot a few years ago. Like the ones he owns on 106 in Belmont. Now he wants a conference center like 'The Hampton Casino'.

I know that Flightcraft the new owners of the Pier, 'Winnipesaukee Gardens' to the local, is restoring the dance floor in the big building, they have not expressed what their plans are. Could be a conflict?

The ZBA has no business deciding if there will be/could be a conflict of interest as a result of their decisions. It should be an across the board decision regardless. If their decision is based on these types of conflicts, they need to be voted out or removed from the board.

Disclaimer: I do not live in that area and have no vested interest in any decisions made by the Zoning Board.

[TiltonBB]

Originally Posted by Outdoorsman

The ZBA has no business deciding if there will be/could be a conflict of interest as a result of their decisions. It should be an across the board decision regardless. If their decision is based on these types of conflicts, they need to be voted out or removed from the board.

Disclaimer: I do not live in that area and have no vested interest in any decisions made by the Zoning Board.

I must have missed something.

I don't think I saw anyone post that the Zoning Board of Adjustment should take any action or even have an opinion as to whether two businesses conflict with each other. There are numerous examples of competing businesses existing in the same area in Laconia and beyond.

I think the post was merely to point out that both businesses may compete for the same customers if they engage in offering similar activities.

[Outdoorsman]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

I must have missed something.

I don't think I saw anyone post that the Zoning Board of Adjustment should take any action or even have an opinion as to whether two businesses conflict with each other. There are numerous examples of competing businesses existing in the same area in Laconia and beyond.

I think the post was merely to point out that both businesses may compete for the same customers if they engage in offering similar activities.

See the BOLD in my comment above. I may have misunderstood the point by the OP that I quoted, if not, my comment stands

[elbie]

Dave,
What do you mean "Bike week is dying on the vine?"
Coming up that week and just wondering what to expect.

[garysanfran]

Originally Posted by elbie

Dave,
What do you mean "Bike week is dying on the vine?"
Coming up that week and just wondering what to expect.

A good time. Have fun...

[TiltonBB]

Originally Posted by elbie

Dave,
What do you mean "Bike week is dying on the vine?"
Coming up that week and just wondering what to expect.

Bike Week attendance in Laconia is down significantly. The crowd size has been declining for the last 15 to 20 years. Traffic on the roads is much less of a factor than it was 20 years ago. There has been very little change in vendors and activities in recent years. Also, some vendors now set up in Meredith and other areas away from the Weirs so that contributes to the appearance that crowds are down.

It may take a while but Bike Week may go away completely in future years unless some draw is created to bring back the crowds. Many people thought that the concerts instituted last year would make a big difference, but they were a flop.

[Hillcountry]

I'm glad I experienced "Laconia" in it's heyday...clubs and indies camping along 106, beer, loose women, and going without bathing for a week, bonfires, bikers having fun, HA armed guards at the entrance of their pine grove, drag races on an old section of road in the woods between Nortons and twin engined Harleys...the weirs was just a nighttime ride to break up the shenanigans...the inevitable rain and cold nights in June...oh and did I mention nudity??
That's what I am grateful to have experienced about Laconia.

Today's "Bike Weeks" pale in comparison....just a week long t-shirt sale.

When the day came that anyone and everyone could sign the dotted line for a Harley and the towns and police presence became overbearing is when Laconia really died...in MY opinion.

[VitaBene]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

Bike Week attendance in Laconia is down significantly. The crowd size has been declining for the last 15 to 20 years. Traffic on the roads is much less of a factor than it was 20 years ago. There has been very little change in vendors and activities in recent years. Also, some vendors now set up in Meredith and other areas away from the Weirs so that contributes to the appearance that crowds are down.

It may take a while but Bike Week may go away completely in future years unless some draw is created to bring back the crowds. Many people thought that the concerts instituted last year would make a big difference, but they were a flop.

Agreed- I have taken to calling it NH bikeweek, given the number of people that stay in Conway, Loon and Waterville. It has definitely changed!

[garysanfran]

Originally Posted by Hillcountry

I'm glad I experienced "Laconia" in it's heyday...clubs and indies camping along 106, beer, loose women, and going without bathing for a week, bonfires, bikers having fun, HA armed guards at the entrance of their pine grove, drag races on an old section of road in the woods between Nortons and twin engined Harleys...the weirs was just a nighttime ride to break up the shenanigans...the inevitable rain and cold nights in June...oh and did I mention nudity??
That's what I am grateful to have experienced about Laconia.

Today's "Bike Weeks" pale in comparison....just a week long t-shirt sale.

When the day came that anyone and everyone could sign the dotted line for a Harley and the towns and police presence became overbearing is when Laconia really died...in MY opinion.

I too experienced Bike Week during the 60's. Ahhh. Nothing like a good riot at The Weirs with Nat'l Guard cracking heads. Then the "epiphany"... Welcome the event as a money-maker. Establish parameters, fences, restrictions, off-limits, set-up controls, official "events", no left turn, no right turn, police presence, no nudity? medical tents for ageing bikers.

The freedoms of the past are gone, but not forgotten by some. Restrictions on our behavior and even thoughts to help protect us from ourselves are becoming too much.

Sorry for the rant. Just finishing my coffee.

[MAXUM]

Originally Posted by garysanfran

I too experienced Bike Week during the 60's. Ahhh. Nothing like a good riot at The Weirs with Nat'l Guard cracking heads. Then the "epiphany"... Welcome the event as a money-maker. Establish parameters, fences, restrictions, off-limits, set-up controls, official "events", no left turn, no right turn, police presence, no nudity? medical tents for ageing bikers.

The freedoms of the past are gone, but not forgotten by some. Restrictions on our behavior and even thoughts to help protect us from ourselves are becoming too much.

Sorry for the rant. Just finishing my coffee.

I'm all for individual freedom but quite honestly a riot as described to me falls outside what most could consider to be civilized exercise of one's freedom and sounds more like mob anarchy. Maybe that sort of thing just isn't appreciated anymore as much as it was back in the day. Then again I didn't grow up in the 60's to young for that.

That said now a days it's over done in that you can't stand, walk, sneeze or even exist without a proper permit.

[Woodsy]

Bike Week as a whole is fine.. Sure numbers are down for a number of reasons. The aging biker population, numerous other "Bike Weeks" etc etc.

Bike Week numbers are down in the Weirs because the State of NH wants ALL of $$. So they police the Weirs in a draconian style. The Bikers leave Weirs and go elsewhere in the State! Its been pretty effective so far. Last year between the Weirs Beach sign and the Cumberland Farms I counted 6 SP cruisers, 11 SP officers and 2 Tow Trucks! That's BARELY a 1/4 mile! The cops all had their "war" faces on and stared at the bikers as they coasted down the hill in bumper to bumper traffic. All paid for by your State taxes!

Bike Week for sure needs some political help... maybe Gov. Sununu will be a better friend than Maggs was!

Woodsy

[Lakeboater]

Originally Posted by Woodsy

Bike Week as a whole is fine.. Sure numbers are down for a number of reasons. The aging biker population, numerous other "Bike Weeks" etc etc.

Bike Week numbers are down in the Weirs because the State of NH wants ALL of $$. So they police the Weirs in a draconian style. The Bikers leave Weirs and go elsewhere in the State! Its been pretty effective so far. Last year between the Weirs Beach sign and the Cumberland Farms I counted 6 SP cruisers, 11 SP officers and 2 Tow Trucks! That's BARELY a 1/4 mile! The cops all had their "war" faces on and stared at the bikers as they coasted down the hill in bumper to bumper traffic. All paid for by your State taxes!

Bike Week for sure needs some political help... maybe Gov. Sununu will be a better friend than Maggs was!

Woodsy

And you better have your bike motor running while you creep down the hill!

[Acrossamerica]

Originally Posted by MAXUM

I'm all for individual freedom but quite honestly a riot as described to me falls outside what most could consider to be civilized exercise of one's freedom and sounds more like mob anarchy. Maybe that sort of thing just isn't appreciated anymore as much as it was back in the day. Then again I didn't grow up in the 60's to young for that.

That said now a days it's over done in that you can't stand, walk, sneeze or even exist without a proper permit.

Maybe we need a big university at the Weirs and a few conservative speakers and we could return to the days of riots and mayhem. One does wonder just how the country has lasted as long as it has with the likes of both the hippie generation and now the snow flake in need of a safe space crowd.

[garysanfran]

Originally Posted by Acrossamerica

Maybe we need a big university at the Weirs and a few conservative speakers and we could return to the days of riots and mayhem. One does wonder just how the country has lasted as long as it has with the likes of both the hippie generation and now the snow flake in need of a safe space crowd.

Based on your posts, I don't think you were a part of the Woodstock generation. A movement I am proud to have participated in. Changed the world for the better, at the moment.

I think you came along around the Altamont transition.

I believe conservative speakers would be welcome in any place in this State, along with liberals, progressives, etc. We all have something to say, and to contribute, if we can listen to each other, we can learn. This State is extraordinarily interested in the opinions of others without hostility, in my humble opinion...IMHO.

I enjoy leaving the hostile, partisan crap of California behind, and finding my refuge in NH when I can. Don't sully it.

Acrossamerica, I continue to see your negativism in almost all of your posts. Are you an unhappy resident?

[kawishiwi]

Originally Posted by Acrossamerica

Maybe we need a big university at the Weirs and a few conservative speakers and we could return to the days of riots and mayhem. One does wonder just how the country has lasted as long as it has with the likes of both the hippie generation and now the snow flake in need of a safe space crowd.

You keep grinding that thing and you're gonna need to buy a new one. On the other hand I suppose you got a shed full.





_________________________________
Censorship is evil.

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by elbie

Dave,
What do you mean "Bike week is dying on the vine?"
Coming up that week and just wondering what to expect.

Attendance keeps going down year after year.

From my point of view:

You can expect stopped traffic on the way in and out.

Once there, you can expect crowds of bikers wandering around hoping for something interesting to happen combined with crowds of police standing around preventing anything interesting from happening.

[elbie]

We are coming up for a week of fishing, so not to disappointed in what I've been hearing here. A couple of my friends heard that we were going up that week and just laughed and said good luck. We are staying up in the Moultonborough area so I would imagine we can get some fishing in without getting gang banged in the process!

[TiltonBB]

Originally Posted by elbie

We are coming up for a week of fishing, so not to disappointed in what I've been hearing here. A couple of my friends heard that we were going up that week and just laughed and said good luck. We are staying up in the Moultonborough area so I would imagine we can get some fishing in without getting gang banged in the process!

You will be fine. You will probably see more motorcycles than usual but unless you venture south to the Meredith and Laconia areas there will be minimal impact on your trip. Try the Village Kitchen in Moultonborough for some of your meals. It is a favorite with us and many of the people posting on the Forum.

Happy fishing!

[AC2717]

well this thread took a wrong turn at the rotary
can we get back on topic about the development?

[elbie]

Didn't mean to hi-jack the thread. Just looking for some info.
Have a great day!

P.S. - Thanks Tilton BB, will do!