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HAMPTON BEACH REDEVELOPMENT (now with pictures!)

Started by AntonLee, September 30, 2008, 07:30 PM NHFT

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AntonLee

from http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20081230-NEWS-812300355

Hampton Beach commissioners plead with state for Seashell funding
$18M for seashell complex

December 30, 2008 6:00 AM
HAMPTON — The Hampton Beach Commission tried to convince state officials last week to change their position and recommend full funding for an $18 million redevelopment project at Hampton Beach.

The commission met with Department of Resource and Economic Development Commissioner George Bald and a representative from the governor's office in Concord.

"The meeting went as I thought it would go in that they were willing to listen," said John Nyhan, chairman of the Hampton Area Beach Commission. "But we have no way of knowing if it will change their minds. We are going to have to wait and see."

While the state and the beach commission are both behind the project, the sides differ on how to pay for it. The state wants to do a piecemeal approach while the beach commission wants to see the entire project done in the upcoming capital budget.

Seacoast Park Supervisor Brian Warburton said what did come out of the meeting is that both sides believe it is a worthwhile project that needs to get done.

The proposed project calls for constructing a new Hampton Seashell complex, including a stage, a Marine memorial bathhouse, Haverhill Street bathhouse and visitors center at the state park.

"Everybody is in favor of the project but there are so many projects out there and only so much money," said Warburton, who was at the meeting.

Warburton said as of now, the state Department of Resource and Economic Development is still pushing for a phased approach.

Officials would like to see the two bathrooms completed in the next capital budget and the rest in future budget cycles.

Nyhan said the real decision maker will now be Gov. Lynch.

"The governor's representative said she would share our thoughts, recommendations and concerns with the governor at the next staff meeting," Nyhan said.

The governor's representative did tell the commission that Gov. Lynch has already narrowed the $400 million worth of capital budget requests that have been made to about $200 million.

The number will whittled down to about $90 million worth of capital projects when it's all said and done.

"They would not commit if we were still being considered for partial funding," Nyhan said. "At this point we don't even know if the governor will be putting in the project at all."

Nyhan said no matter what, the commission intends to move forward with its campaign to get full funding from the House and Senate.

If partial funding is the only option, then commissioners would like there to be a guarantee from the state that it will complete the project in the following capital budget.

Nyhan said the reason they want full funding is that without a guarantee, there is no assurance the state will follow through with the rest of the project.

"When the state says it will be phased in, they can't promise that," Nyhan said. "We could get two new beautifully designed bathrooms and then two years from now run into a situation where there is limited capital funds and continue with a Seashell that is falling apart."

In July 2006, state officials removed both wings of the Seashell Stage after the concrete roof of the right side wing began to collapse from underneath.

The Seashell Stage hosts many events, including the Miss Hampton Beach Pageant, Beach Idol competition and many other shows and musical performances.

This year, the state spent $120,000 repairing the roof to the Beach Chamber of Commerce office which had been leaking for the last two years.

Nyhan said this project will give the economic boost that Hampton Beach and the state of New Hampshire need.

Studies indicate for every dollar the state invests in tourism, it sees a $7-return on investment, Nyhan said.

The new facilities at Hampton Beach, he said, would increase tourism spending by 20 percent and generate an additional $2.6 million per year in taxes and fees.

dalebert

They could spend millions on fake waterfalls like in New York.  ::)