April 2023 ASCE-NH Section Lunch & Learn Webinar Project Profile : Merchants Way – Concord , NH
Husband-and-wife team , David and Laurie Rauseo joined our community virtually on April 19 , 2023 to discuss their project at Merchant ’ s Way in Concord , NH . The project the Rauseo ’ s own is located adjacent to Exit 17 off I-93 in the Penacook area of the city . Their background and experience allowed them to bring this project to fruition . They are active in the commercial real estate ownership , management and development including large industrial developments in North Conway . For 25 + years , David was a real estate appraiser and Laurie was a traffic engineer in the private industry while living in Canterbury since 1990 .
Merchants Way , a shopping center anchored by a new 81,000 sq ft Market Basket , 22,000 sq ft Home Goods , 13,500 sq ft NH Liquor & Wine Outlet , and a 2,200 sq ft Wendy ' s Restaurant , has completed Phase 1 of its development in Penacook . The new shopping center covers 43 acres and features private roads , Merchants Way , and Interchange Drive , connecting to Whitney Road and Route 4 next to I-93 . The development addresses the need for convenient commercial services , including a supermarket , for residents of Concord and surrounding towns .
Through crafty property acquisitions to prevent change of use land tax and minimize holding costs while permitting the project , the Rauseo ’ s were able to obtain the land required to develop the aforementioned project . The design and permitting of two roundabouts and this large commercial development brought its challenges which were faced head on and overcome . Two major challenges to development included the long-standing industrial zoning of the parcel and significant off-site improvements required to manage the heavy traffic on Route 4 . A public charette was conducted to understand the needs of the residents and community . The Rauseos ’ appear to have met their needs in providing this development with common and popular tenants .
Only individuals with persistence and vision could complete a project of this size and complexity . We want to thank David and Laurie for their time and effort to make the webinar a success for our members . Attendees received 1.0 PDH using our online certificate process . Please look for more Webinar opportunities from the ASCE-NH Section in the coming months .
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