Gilford to vote on potential Arlberg Inn redevelopment at Town Meeting

GILFORD — Residents will vote whether to allow the rezoning of a property adjacent to the Arlberg Inn at Town Meeting Tuesday in order to facilitate the redevelopment of the estate across the street from the entrance to Gunstock Mountain Resort.

The property, a 2-acre parcel at 700 Cherry Valley Road, is currently zoned for limited residential use but could be changed into a resort commercial parcel which would help the owner redevelop the property.

The Gilford Planning Board recommended the article be passed. 

Nick Tamposi of Florida is the owner of the property where the Arlberg Inn was long located and also owns a residence in Laconia. He’s owned the property for eight years and has big plans for redevelopment there. 

“We would love to see if we could get, like, a cool country inn up there,” he said. “Everybody loves the Arlberg.”

He purchased the adjacent Cherry Valley Road property to facilitate his vision for the inn. The 2-acre parcel would be used, in part, to construct a large parking lot for the completely accessible development.

“Arlberg has a great location — directly across from Gunstock,” he said last week. “I’ve got like 75 residents that signed the petition in favor of rezoning.”

The planning board held public hearings on the matter in December and January and recommended the petition.

“If we get the vote through, then we’ll do our due diligence,” Tamposi, who is a real estate developer, said.

The Arlberg Inn used to hold about a dozen rooms for guests plus a restaurant. Tamposi said the area surrounding Gunstock and the ski resort itself could benefit greatly from the development. The Arlberg couldn’t be refurbished due to extensive water damage throughout the building, so Tamposi hopes to replace it with something exciting, noting another inn and restaurant may be of most use to the community.

He’s also purchased and refurbished an old schoolhouse building in Kittery, Maine. He had the cedar siding sandblasted and stained it red and located its original sign. He found the original bell for its belltower and reinstalled it.

“Whatever we do, we do a good job,” he said. “No matter what we do.”

Redeveloping dilapidated structures to improve aesthetic beauty is one of his passions, he said, noting he’s redeveloped other buildings in New Hampshire after driving past and noticing their condition, including the old Dexter Shoe Company building in Conway.

“It would be an asset to Gilford he,” said. “It’ll be a great tax base.”

Tamposi noted there are around 700 households near Gunstock and providing a new restaurant in the area would be a welcomed addition to the neighborhood, but he will remain open to suggestions regarding the redevelopment of the property.

“I think a country inn would be fantastic,” he said. “That would be my preference.”

He's spoken with residents in order to take their temperatures on the idea, and received no negative feedback, he said. 

“We want to make it a nice asset for the town and for Gunstock,” he said. “Quality breeds quality.”

Before any work takes place on the potential redevelopment, Tamposi will contemplate all of the potential options.

“I would go on in and have a consultant to see what would be the best use for that property,” he said. 

He’d like to ensure that if the Arlberg can be redeveloped, to make it accessible in order to host events geared toward supporting wounded veterans and children with disabilities. The rezoning of the adjacent property will be necessary to construct rooms large enough to facilitate accessibility and to construct a parking lot large enough to accommodate everything needed.

The property is 10 acres, but only three of those acres are suitable for construction and development. 

Tamposi said he’ll attend Town Meeting in person in order to answer any questions members of the public may have. 

“The planning board has recommended approval for the zone change and now it’s up to the voters," he said.