Laconia Eye Associates set to build in Lakes Business Park

Laconia Eye Associates this week completed its purchase of a lot in the second phase of the Lakes Business Park where construction of a facility to house the practice is scheduled to begin this fall.

Laconia Eye Associates acquired the first lot on the west side of Hounsell Avenue at the northern end of the park. Bonnette, Page & Stone has been chosen to construct 11,400 square feet of space, with 73 parking spaces, on the 2.29-acre lot. The project is expected to be completed by the spring of 2008.

The Gilford zoning ordinance requires that buildings in the Lakes Business Park must be at least 10,000 square feet in size. When the Gilford Planning Board considered the project, Steven Smith of Steven Smith & Associates, representing Laconia Eye Associates, indicated that the practice might occupy some 7,000 square feet and lease out the rest.

A professional association of ophthalmic surgeons, Laconia Eye Associates is the largest eye care practice north of Concord. Along with cataract and glaucoma surgery, the practice offers laser vision correction, glasses and contact lenses.

The lot, listed for sale at $129,767, is the third of the 19 in the second phase of the Lakes Business Park to be sold. Last year F.W. Webb Company, a wholesale distributor of plumbing, heating, cooling and piping products, purchased lots 14 and 15, totaling 5.62 acres, where it built a 40,000 square foot distribution center.

Located just inside the Laconia (Rte. 3) Bypass, the Lakes Business Park consists of 19 lots, ranging in size from 2.29 acres to 3.994 acres and listed for between $82,950 and $236,400. It is owned by the City of Laconia but located in the Township of Gilford and is being jointly developed by the two communities. It is served by municipal water and sewer, natural gas, three phase power and fiber optic service.