A mixed residential and commercial development project on 22 acres of land off Manchester Street that was first proposed in 2021 was back before the Concord Planning Board as it gets closer to the final design phase.
Because of its scope and location next a high traffic corridor and the Merrimack River, developers and engineers have been working on in-depth traffic studies with the Department of Transportation and examining flood plains.
“We’re still very early in the design stage, but we’re champing at the bit to get going.” said Bob Duval, the president and chief engineer at Bedford-based TFMoran. “We look forward to getting this feedback from the board and completion of the flood study and final comments from the DOT so we can get finalized on this design.”
The mixed use development near Exit 13 of Interstate 93 is expected to consist of a five-story multifamily apartment building, 24 town homes, an assisted living facility, along with a gas station, restaurant, bank, as well as medical and retail space. In all, the project is expected to have 266 multifamily housing units and 122 continuing care units.
“This is an exciting project at a time that we desperately need more housing,” said at-large councilor Byron Champlin, who sits on the planning board.
The application was determined complete in 2021 but multiple studies needed to be completed before the project could move forward.
As the proposal comes before the board for final approval, the land will be divided into seven parcels that will each receive their own review. Existing buildings on the property consist of a strip mall, a commercial building, residential structures, an abandoned movie theater and scattered homeless encampments.
When the project was first proposed, board members shared concerns about the entrance and roundabout at Black Hill Road, pedestrian and bike-friendly access, an extension of the Greenway Trail and sidewalk connections throughout the development, all which will be modified and included in the final proposal.
Jeff Evans, a member of Concord’s Energy and Environment Advisory Committee, asked that the developers give consideration for electric vehicle charging stations.