Major ‘New Hampton Commons’ rest area proposed for Exit 23

By RICK GREEN, LACONIA DAILY SUN

NEW HAMPTON — Alex Ray of the Common Man restaurants and Rusty McLear of Hampshire Hospitality Holdings are proposing a “New Hampton Commons” rest area at Exit 23 off Interstate 93 that could include retail, a diner, a visitor center and ice cream in addition to gasoline and restrooms.

A building dating to the 1800s stands near the site and would be incorporated into a development meant to be appealing to people going north to the White Mountains, east toward the Lakes Region and west toward the Newfound area as well as truckers driving between Canada and East Coast cities.

The plan presented to the Transportation Department's Public-Private Partnership Infrastructure Oversight Commission said the rest area could replace or complement service areas at the Canterbury and Sanbornton exits.

The proposal said those areas are at least somewhat outdated, in need of improvement and provide limited services at a relatively high cost of operations.

It quoted a Transportation Department study indicating that a major rest area in the Hooksett area has good access and amenities but that there is need for another good stop farther north.

At Exit 23, there is already a park-and-ride lot and an Irving/Circle K service station along Route 104 near I-93. The service station would be incorporated into the new rest area through a cooperative agreement.

Ray bought a 5-acre parcel for the rest area next to the station.

“The proposal is for a private entity to acquire the land (completed in 2017), construct facilities and manage operations for a suite of rest area services to include quick-service food, restrooms, pet walking areas and related amenities,” the plan states.

“The development would leverage the 'New Hampshire Advantage' by using New Hampshire businesses for financing, design, construction and operations.”

It states that the development would be designed in keeping with “New Hampshire themes, cultural and historical aspects and quaint rustic charm.”

A private entity would lease space to the state for rest area facilities and information kiosks. It would take 18 months to build at a cost of up to $3 million.

“State permits and investment may include a turn lane and/or ramp modifications to accommodate easy access,” the plan states.

A similar public-private partnership, although larger in scope, is the Hooksett Rest Area. Partners in that development are the Common Man, Granite State Hospitality, the Transportation Department and the state Department of Resources and Economic Development.

New Hampton town officials did not immediately return a call for comment. The town's Planning Board has been involved in discussions about the proposal.