What, you want a waterfront update? Sure, I can do that….

Last month, workers focused a lot of effort on removing the overburdened material from the bluff area, such as rock and soil overlying other subsurface elements. The removal of this material and the large amount of clay at the site is crucial in the preparation of removing and processing the ledge beneath it. These ledge elements, once processed into smaller rocks, are useful for structural fill and create a solid base for future development. In all, approximately 50,000 to 60,000 cubic yards of overburden material have been moved from the area so far. The effort is expected to continue through the month.

Maine Drilling and Blasting has been on site for the past few weeks, with crews blasting the ledge once or twice a day. Their targeted sequential blasts will methodically create needed ledge relief for both the foundations of the private development and utility infrastructure installations. The blasting of the ledge will also allow for additional rock processing that will be applied directly to the work surface.

Crews have completed removing obstructions from the footprint of pad site “C.” Work effort is now concentrated on readying the footprint for pad site “D,” the area of the former wastewater treatment plant that once operated here. It's been challenging, as the elements of the former structure have been found very deep beneath the existing grade, with groundwater and unstable soils also complicating the effort. 

Final subgrade adjustments are ongoing to allow for the fabric application, part of the Remedial Action Plan (RAP). Pad site “C” is complete and pad site “D” is nearly complete, which is waiting for the removal of the former treatment plant to proceed. This will allow for the RAP closure process, which involves the required application of at least two inches of clean fill for the sites to be pad-ready for private development. The effort will continue within the parcel until known as 1-4 and 1-5 until complete early next month. 

A worker from Northeast Earth Mechanics places a stone on the toe wall.

Shoreline work and the construction of the granite toe wall continue towards the Makem bridge. Approximately 200 feet of granite toe wall has now been installed with an additional 75 feet in various stages of completion. The wall has been tied into the historic granite wall on the north side of the bulkhead area, where a walk-in kayak ramp was originally planned but has now been eliminated due to safety and feasibility. (This does not affect the paddle sports dock.) The existing sheathing/coffer dam will removed and installed further upstream to continue the toe wall construction. Once the wall is complete, the next stage will be applying material known as Flex MSE wall, which is a sustainable, vegetated wall system designed to be natural and long-lasting, followed by grade adjustments.

The removal of the last of the overhead utilities is set to be completed this month, removing the final obstacles for completing the remainder of the shoreline stabilization work.  

Northeast Earth Mechanics works to remove the hill where the private development will be constructed. The fire hydrant shows how high the new grade of the waterfront development will be once completed.

Construction efforts on building the new roads for the development are also underway where the installation of the utilities underneath is complete. The first effort is to install robust coarse subgrade base materials. Second is installing a road stabilization fabric, followed by additional select gravels and pavement sections, further improving access to the site.

As you see when you walk or drive by, there is a lot of effort underway. I want to continue to thank Project Manager Jamie Stevens, Assistant Engineer Jill Semprini, and other staff who work daily to bring this project to success.  

One last note, Monday, April 8, will most likely see the closing of River Street and the Makem bridge to public traffic through the spring and summer as we begin work along the portion of River Street along Henry Law Park.

Have a great weekend,

Christopher G. Parker, AICP

Deputy City Manager: Development and Strategic Initiatives

Business Highlight

By Reid Bickley,

Business Development Specialist

The Brunch Club

Dover's dining options have been recently enhanced with the opening of The Brunch Club, a new breakfast and lunch spot by restaurateur, Connor McNamara. In an industry bustling with competition, The Brunch Club distinguishes itself through its dedication to creating a vibrant sense of community and an enjoyable dining atmosphere. At the heart of their mission, Connor, alongside his team members Tomer Oz and Andrew Holt, emphasizes the importance of food presentation and quality. This trio of hospitality aficionados have pledged to use as many ingredients as possible from New Hampshire suppliers, showcasing their commitment to local producers. A unique feature of the restaurant is a wall-mounted map that highlights the origins of their ingredients across the state, including local favorites like tea, hot sauce, and maple syrup.

The Brunch Club team. From left: Tomer Oz, Connor McNamara, and Andrew Holt.

The menu is a celebration of classic dishes, all crafted from scratch, to cater to a broad range of dietary needs, including gluten-free and vegan choices. The Brunch Club also offers a selection of baked goods and pre-made items perfect for those looking for a quick meal on the go. Connor’s thoughtful approach extends beyond the menu, representing the spirit of hospitality that he has been a part of throughout his career in the industry. From dishwashing to managing, his journey reflects a deep-rooted passion for creating meaningful connections through food and service.

The commitment to an exceptional experience is obvious from the moment one steps into the restaurant, located at 40 Chestnut St. The genuine care exhibited by the staff, led by General Manager Tomer Oz, ensures that every visit is memorable. Tomer, with his diverse background in customer service, entertainment, and hospitality, brings positive energy to the establishment, striving to make every guest feel like part of The Brunch Club family. This philosophy is complemented by the culinary skills of Head Chef Andrew Holt, whose two decades of experience promise a dining experience that is delightful to all taste buds. Together, they create not just meals, but moments of joy and connection, inviting everyone to become a part of their community-centered vision. The restaurant is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. They also offer online ordering, for those who want to grab and go. Be sure to check out their Facebook and Instagram for some exciting events happening this spring and summer! 

Offerings at The Brunch Club at 40 Chestnut St.

Add Business Events to the

Community Calendar

The Office of Business Development is asking for contributions to our community calendar by submitting your upcoming business and community events. Whether it's a grand opening, a special sale, a workshop, a recurring event, or anything else, we want to help you showcase it to our vibrant community!

Please take a moment to fill out the form linked below with details about your event. Thank you for being an integral part of our community and showing what our local businesses have to offer. 

Click here to add your events to the community calendar!

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:

Are you aware of local community organizations, their activities, and how to engage with them?

Let us know here: https://polco.us/m36szb

Here are the results from last week's poll, which asked "How likely are you to shop locally in Dover with the new opportunity to shop later on the First Friday of the month?"

Dover Download podcast: Your guide

to what's happening this week

In the latest episode of Dover Download, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Brian Early from Media Services and Erin Bassegio from the Planning Department to discuss updates and activities for Dover's public boards, commissions, and committees in February.

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.

Click here or on the calendar below to find more community events!