A new residential development with 88 units deemed to be affordable and commuter-friendly will be coming to 2 Grove St. this fall. (Courtesy of the City of Dover)
Railroad Apartments in Dover to bring 88 HUD-rate units this fall
A new apartment complex with 88 below-market-rate residential units is coming to 2 Grove St. this fall. The development is expected to be called The Railroad Apartments.
Located near the Community Transportation Center, the apartments are marketed as a commuter-friendly option, and affordable rents, which will follow approximate HUD fair market pricing for the region.
“I think that’s a great opportunity [the location] because residents can hop on [the train] and be in Boston in an hour, and the rents are half the price here than they are there,” said Bill Goldstein, developer and principal of KAB Realty.
Floor plans will range from studio to two-bedroom units, said Goldstein. Most of the studios will be approximately 450 square feet, one-bedroom units will be around 600 square feet, and two-bedroom apartments will be just under 950 square feet, according to the plans approved in 2020.
The four-story apartment building will feature wood flooring, stainless steel appliances and tile in the bathroom, said Goldstein. Washer and dryer hookups will be in each unit. Many of the units will also have Juliet balconies, small balconies for decor that can hold a plant, said Goldstein.
Parking will be located underneath the building, in addition to surface-level parking. There will be 43 parking spaces in total. There will be a patio with seating overlooking the Cocheco River for tenants.
Units to approximately follow HUD Fair Market rents according to developer
If a studio were to be leased today, the base rent would be approximately $1,500, said Goldstein, with water, sewer and garbage utilities included. The HUD Fair Market rents for Portsmouth-Rochester spell out that a one-bedroom would cost $1,517 per month and a two-bedroom would cost $1,961.
“These units by and large will be offered” at affordable rents, said Goldstein. “We made a commitment to try and build affordable housing.” He compared other developments going up in the city, such as the Waterfront District under construction in Dover, where the rent for a one-bedroom unit most likely will be over $2,500.
Exterior construction appears to be complete, with rough mechanicals currently underway hoped to be completed in the next 30-45 days, said Goldstein. The next steps will be to insulate and drywall the roughly 70,000-square-foot building.
Construction is expected to be complete by this fall with units available at that time, said Goldstein. There is not yet a waitlist or an application open for rentals.
The building will be 100% residential, with no commercial space, said Goldstein. He is also the developer behind the mixed-use development at the site of the former Asia restaurant, according to state business records. — Sarah Donovan, Foster’s Daily Democrat
A three-building Portsmouth development plan includes this five-story building on the corner of Green and Russell streets with retail/commercial on the first floor and apartments above. It also features a rooftop deck. (Courtesy of the City or Portsmouth)
Will Portsmouth hit 25,000 population? 1,000 to 1,500 new housing units coming
City planning director Peter Britz estimates there are 1,000 to 1,500 new residential housing units “in the pipeline” for Portsmouth.
“There’s a lot of big development for sure,” Britz said in reference to new housing that’s being created in the city and more that has been proposed.
Britz believes “at some point” Portsmouth’s population — which sits at about 22,700 now — will “hit 25,000, I guess, if we keep going at this trajectory, for sure.”
Portsmouth’s population was about 26,200 in 1990, the year before Pease Air Force Base closed, according to U.S. Census data. The city has grown as a tourist destination and has more than 36,000 restaurant seats, but its resident population has not surpassed 25,000 since the early 1990s, though Pease has thrived with development of businesses, a commercial airport and the presence of the New Hampshire Air National Guard.
Even with all the residential development currently planned, it’s not enough in the next few years “to get us that far” to 25,000 population yet, Britz said during a recent interview in City Hall. “But eventually I think we could get (to 25,000) if this continues the way it’s going.”
Read the full story at Portsmouth Herald. — Jeff McMenemy, Portsmouth Herald
Courtesy of The Merrimack
The Merrimack now financing construction loans for Accessory Dwelling Units
Merrimack County Savings Bank (The Merrimack) is expanding its construction loan program to include Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU). An ADU is a small residence located within, attached to or detached from an existing primary residence. With a limited supply of affordable housing options in New Hampshire, ADUs meet the need for available housing and prevent further land development.
“As a community bank, we recognize the ongoing housing crisis facing our communities,” said Garry Cornelius, VP Residential Mortgage Sales for The Merrimack. “By offering more affordable financing options like ADU construction loans, we’re able to support stable housing while creating solutions for generational and independent living as families housing needs evolve.”
Beneficial for people of all ages, ADUs are self-contained and must include its own kitchen, bathroom and living/sleeping area. Under state law, homeowners have the right to create an ADU for a family member, caregiver or as a rental unit, as long as it complies with local ordinances.
The Merrimack offers a variety of home and construction loans. To learn more about ADUs and the construction process, visit themerrimack.com/home-construction-lending/.
TFMoran welcomes 3 new hires
TFMoran welcomed Olivia Boyer as a new Environmental Permitting Specialist in its Portsmouth office. Boyer graduated Cum Laude from Plymouth State University with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology. She has also recently completed the Wetlands Certificate program at the University of New Hampshire and is currently pursuing her GIS certificate as well.
With her extensive background in Structural and Environmental Assessments of Stream Crossings, in coordination with state agencies to enhance flood resilience and wildlife passage, as well as her experience in Environmental Monitoring, Water Quality Monitoring, ArcGIS, Aquatic Habitat Restoration, and Native Wildlife Research, Olivia will be a valuable asset to TFMoran.
TFMoran also welcomed Aiden Schlotman as a new Civil Project Engineer in its Bedford office. Schlotman graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. Schlotman’s coursework included Soil Science, Surveying, and Solid Waste Management. He has extensive background and previous experience in Civil Engineering, Site Design, Permitting, Wetland Construction, Sewage Disposal Construction, and Stormwater Construction.
Finally, Oliver Sheridan joined TFMoran as a new CADD Technician in its Portsmouth office. Sheridan graduated from Plymouth State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and is LSIT certified in Land Surveying. His background includes previous experience with AutoCAD, specifically in Civil Engineering, Land Surveying and Environmental Services, along with proficiencies in Geothermal & Energy Efficient Technology.
Anna Wells
Anna Wells joins Plan NH as new program coordinator
Plan NH — a non-profit organization comprised of planners, designers, builders, and other members across New Hampshire that share a vision to improve and preserve the state’s communities — welcomed Anna Wells to the Plan NH team in the role of Program Coordinator. A resident of Hopkinton, NH, Anna most recently served as the Town’s Economic Development Director for more than three years. She is committed to improving community vibrancy and well-being by fostering a sense of place and belonging, and it is those personal beliefs that make her an ideal fit for Plan NH.
“I am thrilled to have Anna join our team – it is easy to see her passion for planning and community development,” said Tiffany Tononi McNamara, Executive Director for Plan NH. “As we continue to work with communities throughout the Granite State, Anna’s diverse experience will be beneficial in supporting our organization’s goals and initiatives.”
As Program Coordinator, Anna will play a key role in supporting Plan NH’s programs and membership services, ensuring the seamless execution of events and fostering strong, lasting relationships with members. In addition to these responsibilities, she will also contribute to Plan NH’s ongoing eff orts with the InvestNH Housing Opportunity Planning Grant program, helping to advance its mission and initiatives.
Before moving to Hopkinton in 2017, Anna’s work experience included graphic design and landscape architecture, urban ecology education and planning, and teaching yoga. She received her Master in City Planning (MCP) degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2006, and her Bachelor of Science from Smith College in Biological Sciences in 2001. Together with her family, including her 16-year-old-son and 11-year-old daughter, she tends to the cattle, horses, chickens, dogs, and gardens on their small farm. Anna loves to gather and cook good food with friends, and ski and hike in the woods near her house.
