Hampton plan wins praise, but how to pay?

Interesting article in the Union Leader this morning. Sure to be detractors and supporters- there are certainly plenty of investment and business opportunities down on the main beach right now… and this might bring more opportunity forward even before state support is committed… IF it’s committed. BF


Hampton plan wins praise, but how to pay?
By CLYNTON NAMUO
New Hampshire Union Leader Correspondent

HAMPTON – Local business owners last night asked the state to fully fund an $18 million redevelopment of Hampton Beach this legislative session, putting them at odds with state parks officials, who are asking to pay for the project over several years in light of the bad economy.

Both sides agree Hampton Beach needs a makeover and the plans have already been assembled; a new seashell stage with seating for 750 and two pavilions with bathroom facilities, new bathhouses on the north and south ends of the beach and a new visitor's center.

The project's entire $18 million cost is expected to come from the state, but that amount is a hefty sum when budgets are being slashed.

"I think it's important people recognize that this is going to be an uphill battle," said John Nyhan, head of the Hampton Beach Area Commission, which is pushing for the redevelopment.

Nyhan said the state's capital improvement budget is expected to be $95 million this year, making the Hampton Beach redevelopment nearly 20 percent of that, should it be approved.

The Department of Resources and Economic Development has pegged the Hampton Beach redevelopment as its number-one priority, but even that isn't enough for the department to ask for the full sum this legislative session.

Officials said they plan to ask for enough money to build the two bathhouses this session and then ask for the remaining money at the next capital budget in two years. The department previously planned to ask for the full sum, but recently changed its tune.

"This is our number-one project," Division of Parks and Recreation spokesman Amy Bassett said. "We just have decided to phase it over a couple years of capital budgeting because the economy is just not there for it."

To push the project to state legislators, local officials are framing the redevelopment as a benefit to the entire state in added tourists and visitor spending.

Laurence Goss, a state economist, said fiscal 2008 direct spending at Hampton Beach totaled $170 million. He said that number would increase by 30 percent within five years of completing the redevelopment.

"While a lot of it is being spent in Hampton, a lot of it is also being spent in other communities," he said. "The money is spent regionally."

Goss estimated a redevelopment would also increase the number of tourist visits at Hampton Beach by 15 percent.

Support for full funding was strong at last night's meeting of the Hampton Beach Area Commission at Ashworth by the Sea, but the real support is needed in Concord, a fact not lost on anyone last night.

"We're not going to give up until that last vote is taken," Nyhan said as he implored everyone on hand to reach out to legislators.