Mild winter accelerates site work for waterfront development

posted on 2/28/2024

The transformation of land into the Cochecho Waterfront Development at Washington and River streets continues at a rapid pace, and the building of the first phase of private developments is on the horizon.

The relatively mild winter and lack of snow have helped these efforts, with crews from Northeast Earth Mechanics working on multiple fronts daily at the site: stabilizing the shoreline, building the public roadways, and installing the associated utilities, while also readying Pad C and D for private developer Cathartes to begin its construction, anticipated to start this spring. The installation of utilities includes water, sewer and a drainage system that includes a bioretention system that treats stormwater in its place, as well as installing electrical conduit and duct banks.

In a little more than a month, the parcels on the site can be sold to Cathartes’ business entity, CPI Management, as detailed in the land disposition agreement and associated amendments between Cathartes and the City of Dover. According to the third amendment to the land disposition agreement between CPI Management and the City of Dover, two parcels are set to be transferred in the sale set to close by April 5, 2024. This date may be extended, pending sign-offs required from the State of New Hampshire and CPI’s financial institution.

Shoreline stabilization

The shoreline stabilization is time-sensitive, as this work needs to cease by mid-March so as not to interfere with the spring salmon run. The stabilization requires crews to build a toe wall that borders the Cochecho River, which will retain soils from flowing into the river when completed. To build the wall, crews utilize metal sheathing to build a coffer dam to protect works from the river’s tidal waters. Much of the stone utilized for the wall is repurposed from the old stone wall by Fish Ladder Park, rebuilt in 2018. Once completed, the toe wall will extend to near the Makem Bridge on Washington Street.

Blasting underway

A blasting crew are mobilizing to the site to remove ledge in the area of the first phase of private construction; the work is estimated to take about a month to complete. Blasting will occur once or twice a day, generally between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The crew utilizes a series of whistles before each blast to warn workers and the nearby public: 3 long horns - 5 minutes to blast; 2 long horns - 2 minutes to blast; and 1 long horn - all clear, blasting complete.