| Cochecho Waterfront Development Advisory Committee |
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City to Foster Waterfront Development
On February 9, 2005 the City Council established the Cochecho Waterfront Development Advisory Committee (CWDAC) and delegated the task of the waterfront redevelopment to the Dover Housing Authority (DHA). The CWDAC was responsible for reviewing all aspects of the City's River Street parcel redevelopment and facilitating a plan for developing the lot as a multi-faceted destination point, offering recreational, economic and quality of life opportunities for everyone.
City-owned Parcel Ripe for Development
The 30 acre waterfront parcel is located on River Street. Formerly the parcel played host to a City Farm, a jail, a waste water treatment plant, School Bus storage, the City's Recycling center, and most recently the public works building. Significant community investments have cleared the way to make this unique property ripe for development
Parcel has Rich History
The City's River Street parcel was once a lively trading center with wharfs, warehouses, docks, and trading ships from many parts of the world. Over time, ships were replaced by railroads and the automobile leaving the parcel to become blighted and neglected. During the past two decades, the City has embarked on an aggressive campaign to redevelop and revitalize this area.
Location
The parcel is located adjacent to Downtown Dover. It fronts along the Cochecho River, and abuts two City-owned parks, Maglaras Park, to the south) and Henry Law Park to the west. The parcel is located off Henry Law Avenue on River Street.
RFQ Process
The CWDAC issued a Request for Qualifications in May of 2005 and four companies’ submitted responses on June 30, 2005. The CWDAC interviewed the companies and selected two to proceed to the Request For Proposal stage.
RFP Submittal
Request for Proposals were issued on November 29, 2005 and on March 17, 2006 Dickinson Development submitted a complete proposal. The other finalist, LNR, declined to submit a proposal. On August 23, 2006, the CWDAC voted to grant preliminary developer designation to Dickinson Development.
1. View the Dickinson RFQ submission
• View the Dickinson RFP submission
Active Public Participation
The CWDAC engaged in an extensive series of public meetings and hearings during 2006 and 2007. The public meetings were held to further define design parameters for development of the area, and solicit public input. Dickinson Development made several changes to the concept design plan in response to these meetings.
Additionally, there will be continued opportunities for the public to be part of the planning and permitting for the development of the parcel.
Term Sheet
The Term Sheet is a development agreement binding Dickinson Development, the City of Dover, and DHA to certain expectations. The CWDAC held numerous public meeting during 2007 on the Term Sheet. View specific details of the Term Sheet.
On May 9, 2007, the CWDAC voted to endorse the Dickinson Development concept plan and Term Sheet. On May 15, 2007, the Dover Housing Authority voted to approve the Term Sheet.
On June 13, 2007, the City Council passed a resolution reaffirming the DHA’s authority to approve the waterfront redevelopment plan. They also authorized the City Manager to sign the Term Sheet and a deed to sell the land to Dickinson Development.
The Term Sheet was signed by DHA and Dickinson Development on May 16, 2007 and by the City Manager on June 13, 2007.
Waterfront Design Guidelines
In January of 2008, the DHA hired the Cecil Group as a consultant to assist the CWDAC with the development of design standards. Over the course of ten months, the consultant and the CWDAC held public meetings with stakeholders and community members to develop design standards for the public waterfront park, the private sector, and the public ways. The design review process was also spelled out in detail.
On November 10th, 2008 the CWDAC adopted Design Guidelines for the Waterfront. Click here to view the Waterfront Design Guidelines.
Land Disposition Agreement (LDA)
The next step in the process was the preparation of the Land Disposition Agreement (LDA). The LDA is a binding purchase and sales contract that incorporates the terms and negotiated discretions outlined within the Term Sheet.
The Dover Housing Authority, City of Dover and Dickinson Development negotiated the content of LDA during the first half of 2009. During May of 2009 the CWDAC held two public meetings to review the LDA and to accept public comments on the document. On May 21, 2009, the CWDAC voted unanimously that the LDA be recommended to the DHA for adoption. ON May 26, 2009, the DHA Commissioners unanimously voted to authorize the DHA Executive Director to sign the LDA on behalf of the DHA.
The LDA was signed by Mark Dickinson for Dickinson Development Corporation on May 22, 2009 by Jack Buckley, the DHA Executive Director and Michael Joyal, the City Manager of the City of Dover.
Click here to view the (LDA)
Click here to view the (LDA Exhibits)
Next Steps
Dickinson Development will continue to develop detailed site plans for the waterfront park and the development plan. These plans will be reviewed by the CWDAC and various State and Federal permitting agencies. A closing date for the transfer of the property would occur in 2012. |
