I know, I know. Last week I started some brain droppings on work from home and the future of office space and said I’d follow up this week. Well, I’m not doing that. I’m saving the enthusiasm for that for another week. Instead, I am recounting some waterfront happenings. Why? Because while working from home and the future of offices might be big nationwide, the waterfront is more local and more relevant to the here and now. So here is what we know…

• Mobilization efforts continue with personnel, equipment, and materials.
• Northeast Earth Mechanics (NEEM), the site contractor, extended drainage work to the southeastern end of the site. 
• This drainage services a ravine that is parallel with Henry Law Avenue, originating near Towne Drive and extends to an existing outfall. This critical connection allows the last existing utility to be retired and removed through the footprint of Building C and the site.
• Efforts continued on the removal of the retired 24-inch concrete encased sewer main from the former wastewater treatment plant. 
• Site remediation continues with the processing and disposal of this material with local subcontractor Envirovantage. 

Architectural Rendering of Buildings B & C by Embarc Studios

• The crushing of blasted ledge materials continues, replenishing materials used for utility installation.  
• Shoreline stabilization continues with approximately 125 feet of permanent granite toe wall being installed, which includes a mixture of existing stockpiled granite. NEEM also installed 130 feet of sheathing to provide additional area for constructing the granite toe wall.
• Crews are also moving surplus overburden (soil) material from the bluff area bordering the private residence to the clean stockpile area on the perimeter area of the dredge cell.  
• The last large effort in January was locating and removing obstruction elements from the footprint of Building C. NEEM has been investigating the soils in a 15-foot grid pattern. If an obstruction is found, NEEM digs and removes all of the obstruction and chases the remnants until it is removed in its entirety. Significant unknown building elements were discovered throughout. These elements were estimated to age into the early 1900s and earlier based on the building methods observed. 
• Finally, the building subgrades were adjusted to begin the final pre-remedial action plan (RAP) survey. Once established, NEEM will begin the process of applying “clean fill,” starting the official RAP closure process. This process is crucial in getting the site pad ready for the private developer.

P.S. Will I be the only one watching a little Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell tonight?   

Have a good weekend,

Christopher G. Parker, AICP

Deputy City Manager: Development and Strategic Initiatives

Welcome to the Office of Business Development!

Abigail Gilbert is joining the City of Dover as a UNH Semester for Impact intern. Semester for Impact is a cohort-based program where university students have the opportunity to work with a business or organization in New Hampshire’s social change sector. Abigail will be interning under James Burdin in the Office of Business Development, working towards developing a Capital Improvements Program (CIP) project while also gaining career-based skills and expanding her professional network.

She is a junior at the University of New Hampshire, studying Environmental and Resource Economics and Community Planning. Outside of being a student and intern, Abby enjoys her free time skiing and hiking with friends and family. 

Resources for Businesses

The Office of Business Development gathers and shares a wide range of resources to support and empower local businesses. These resources range from guidance on locating in Dover, access to business assistance programs, information on zoning regulations, permitting processes, economic development initiatives, and links to additional resources for financing, networking, and education, all tailored to facilitate the success and growth of businesses within the community.

This week we're highlighting these small business grants available to women in business.

Click here to review other gathered resources available. Don't see what you're looking for? Email us at BusinessDevelopment@dover.nh.gov with any questions.

Question of the Week

The Office of Business Development is asking a “question of the week” to get your feedback on topics related to our local business community!

This week, we want to know:

What types of restaurants would you like to see more of in Dover?

Let us know here: https://polco.us/fndm2u

Here are the results from last week's poll, which asked "What factors influence your decision to shop locally?"

Dover Download podcast: Your guide

to what's happening this week

In this week's episode, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with City Manager J. Michael Joyal, Jr. about the strategic goal-setting process that the Dover City Council recently held and how the council goals align with and drive budget priorities. 

In This Week in Dover History, we learn about a devastating 1907 fire that took six lives at the Cocheco Manufacturing Company's Mill No. 1. 

The podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and by clicking here.

Business Event Happenings 

Looking for something in Dover? The Office of Business Development continues to update the community calendar to cover all the amazing Dover business events.