posted on: 9/26/2019

The future of the city's waterfront took a significant step forward Tuesday when the Cochecho Waterfront Development Advisory Committee (CWDAC) approved the development agreement between the City of Dover and Cathartes, the firm selected to develop the city's 23-acre waterfront parcel. The committee voted unanimously to approve the agreement.

“Thanks to the efforts of CWDAC and City staff, we feel this project is on the path to a successful and mutually beneficial outcome for both the City of Dover and Cathartes,” said CWDAC Chair Dana Lynch.

“The approval of the development agreement is an important milestone in the City’s efforts to redevelopment the waterfront property," said City Planner Steve Bird. "We look forward to a productive, long-term partnership with the Cathartes team.”

Cathartes is currently developing the Orpheum Apartments project on Washington Street.

“We are grateful to have the opportunity to develop this important waterfront site in a vibrant, growing city like Dover,” said Jeff Johnston of Cathartes. “Our team is anxious to move on to the design process and looks forward to working with staff and CWDAC.”

Waterfront Committee approves development agreement

posted on: 9/26/2019

The future of the city's waterfront took a significant step forward Tuesday when the Cochecho Waterfront Development Advisory Committee (CWDAC) approved the development agreement between the City of Dover and Cathartes, the firm selected to develop the city's 23-acre waterfront parcel. The committee voted unanimously to approve the agreement.

“Thanks to the efforts of CWDAC and City staff, we feel this project is on the path to a successful and mutually beneficial outcome for both the City of Dover and Cathartes,” said CWDAC Chair Dana Lynch.

“The approval of the development agreement is an important milestone in the City’s efforts to redevelopment the waterfront property," said City Planner Steve Bird. "We look forward to a productive, long-term partnership with the Cathartes team.”

Cathartes is currently developing the Orpheum Apartments project on Washington Street.

“We are grateful to have the opportunity to develop this important waterfront site in a vibrant, growing city like Dover,” said Jeff Johnston of Cathartes. “Our team is anxious to move on to the design process and looks forward to working with staff and CWDAC.”

The Land Disposition and Development Agreement (LDA) spells out the parameters of the project, including the sale of the property to the developer for $3,372,500, which will be purchased in phases; mixed-use development consisting of residential, retail, office, restaurant and potentially hotel space; and site plan approval to begin by the end of 2019. The City of Dover has earmarked $6.6 million in Tax Increment Financing funding to complete public improvements including bluff excavation, site grading, shoreline stabilization, a waterfront park, streets and public utilities.

According to Bird, the next steps in the process include convening the Site Plan Review Subcommittee to review the first phase of the site plan, file a wetlands permit application and remedial action plan with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, and determine whether additional bluff removal is needed.

Plans to develop the city-owned parcel have been considered since 1970. In 1984, the river around the waterfront parcel was dredged by the Army Corps of Engineers to improve boat access. The City's Master Plan first identified the waterfront as a key component of the downtown core in 1988, as did a Land Acquisition and Protections Study in 1989. In 1990, the City Council formed the Cochecho Waterfront Task Force and charged the group with drafting a conceptual plan. Lynch, the current CWDAC chair, served as chair of that initial task force. Numerous studies and proposals were considered over the years, leading to CWDAC's selection of Cathartes as its preferred developer and this week's agreement to move forward.

The development agreement (LDA) can be viewed here.

The Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019 meeting during which the agreement was approved can be viewed here: dovernh.viebit.com/player.php?hash=rk89y2h5zpFH.

For more information, contact the Planning Department at 603-516-6008 or visit the Cochecho Waterfront Development online resource here.

To stay up to date on the waterfront project, sign up for the Cochecho Waterfront Development Advisory Committee newsletter at bit.ly/doverdownload. From the list of newsletters, select “Dover Planning; Waterfront Development Update”.