What’s going on at the waterfront? Well, let me tell you about March.

Last month, city contractor Northeast Earth Mechanics (NEEM) completed work towards satisfying the commitments outlined in the Land Disposition and Development Agreement (LDA) to convey parcels 1-4 and 1-5 to our private partner, Cathartes. 

A significant milestone towards those commitments was achieved by completing obstruction removal within the parcels' foundation areas, including removing remnant debris from the former Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) that used to be on site. Most of the old WWTP's building and interior components were demolished to slightly below grade – essentially buried in place. NEEM successfully removed all obstructions, except the former wet well and pump room areas, which extended more than 30 feet below the surface. Upon review, Cathartes agreed it would make changes to its building foundation and associated ground improvement designs to allow the obstructions to remain in place.

Another focus for March was completing the partial Remedial Action Plan (RAP) closure for parcels 1-4 and 1-5, which addresses contamination on site. This effort included the pre-RAP grade survey and installation of delineation fabric, a visual barrier for where the RAP soils exist. The second part was installing two to three feet of clean fill above the fabric, followed by adding crushed rock to provide the developer and their contractors with a stable work pad. The final step was the post-RAP closure survey, documenting that the process meets the RAP guidelines, as required by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services. 

Construction continues at the Cochecho Waterfront.

Last month also saw the removal from the bluff of overburden materials to prepare for ledge drilling and blasting crews. The overburden is soil and vegetation existing on the bluff surface areas; its removal is required for further development. Despite significant rain last month, this work was completed ahead of schedule, allowing NEEM to deliver acceptable subgrades in preparation for the private developer’s pending construction.

This work also allows the various utilities to be installed in the roadway and surrounding areas. Large quantities of rock have been removed from the utility trenches, with the rock being crushed on-site to be used where needed, such as for pad sites, roads, and sidewalk construction. In total, over 100,000 cubic yards of material have been relocated in this effort and approximately 25,000 tons of ledge material have been crushed and processed.

Last month, the sheeting along the shoreland was removed to expose the newly constructed granite toe wall construction. Only approximately 100 feet of the wall construction remains. The shoreline work is confined to specific times of the year to not interfere with the salmon run. Work to complete the shoreland stabilization will pick up again later this year. 

Lastly, a closing date has been set for May 15 to convey some parcels to Cathartes for private development.

Have a great weekend,

Christopher G. Parker, AICP

Deputy City Manager: Development and Strategic Initiatives

Commercial Business Incubator Presentation 

By Abigail Gilbert,

UNH Semester for Impact Intern

The Office of Business Development has been working towards developing a commercial business incubator project to promote entrepreneurship and sustainable business growth in Dover. Through the implementation of co-located mercantile structures and accompanying educational programming, the project aims to decrease several of the barriers to entry that business owners face. 

Intending to locate this project at the up-and-coming waterfront, Office of Business Development staff will present this project publicly at next week’s Cochecho Waterfront Development Advisory Committee (CWDAC) meeting. This will allow the team to share the plans and opportunities for commercial incubator spaces in Dover. 

CWDAC meets on Tuesday, April 16, at 5:30 p.m. in the McConnell Center's Room 305. To review the agenda, click here. It will be televised on Chanel 22 and online at https://dovernh.viebit.com, where it will also be available for on-demand viewing.

Check out some existing examples of business incubator spaces below.

WEBINAR: Small Business Development Center Panel Event

Previously scheduled as an in-person event, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the City of Dover's Office of Business Development will be hosting a webinar on the topic of opening a business to the public, often called a “brick and mortar” business.

Join us for this virtual panel discussion focused on the topic of assisting start-up or existing business owners who are considering making this exciting step.

Panelists will include advisors from the NH SBDC, staff from the City of Dover Office of Business Development, and a local business owner who has successfully made this move, who will share their knowledge and answer your questions.

Learn more and register for the free event by clicking here.

Exhibit Art from Dover Art Beat in Your Business

The Dover Arts Commission (DAC) is hosting the annual Art Beat program from April to June. The goal is to connect visual artists with businesses by creating opportunities that encourage local businesses to display local art. This gives artists an alternate display venue and allows businesses to support the arts.

If you are interested in exhibiting, email Jane Hamor at j.hamor@dover.nh.gov for more information.

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:

Where is your favorite place to take visitors to showcase the best of Dover?

Let us know here: https://polco.us/faq7yf

Last week we encouraged readers to take the Dover Housing Survey, which can be found here.

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 James Burdin from the Office of Business Development in the City of Dover. Burdin shares his experience working with local businesses during his first year in the role.

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!

Click here to add your events to the community calendar.