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I-93 rest stop expansion planned

By DAN O'BRIEN
Union Leader Correspondent
Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009

HOOKSETT – The state-run liquor stores near the toll booths on Interstate 93 are expected to undergo a sizeable expansion next year.

The state Department of Transportation is taking bids from developers to expand the site into an inclusive rest stop for motorists, which would include fast food restaurants, expanded informational centers, restroom facilities and renovated liquor stores.

If the project is completed, it would be the only such highway rest stop in the state.

The proposed expansion would benefit the town with tax dollars. Right now, the town cannot collect tax revenue on the state-owned liquor stores. But if private businesses open on the land, tax revenue would be generated.

"It'll be a plus," Town Administrator Carol Granfield said. "It'll be a facility beneficial to the public and the town." When it comes to food, currently, the rest areas only have vending machines.

Harvey Goodwin, the DOT project manager, says plans are "very preliminary" but hopes the southbound rest stop will be fully constructed by March, 2011 and the northbound rest stop completed by November, 2011.

The proposal, which is posted on the DOT's Web site, asks potential business vendors to examine the land and come up with ideas on how to best use it. A small group of potential developers toured the site on Tuesday, he said.

"We'd like to redevelop both sites," Goodwin said. "The intent would be to have a developer come in, demolish the existing rest facilities and replace them with a new plaza and liquor stores operated by the liquor commission." Goodwin says the project would simply allow private development on what has been state-maintained property, meaning much of the construction costs will be the responsibility of the new businesses.

In return, 30-year lease agreements with fixed rental rates would likely be offered to the business operators.

"We hope the new facilities would offer major branded or nationally recognized food concepts," Goodwin said.

The sites' location already attracts thousands of out-of-state tourists who take advantage of sales-tax-free alcohol on their way to vacation destinations like Lake Winnipesaukee, the White Mountains and points north, or on their way home.

"It's an overall improvement, both from a tourism basis and service-oriented aspect," Granfield said. "Both locations are fairly old and don't provide the ultimate amount of service options that could be there."

Granfield points out there are no gas stations at either facility. Though the property currently owned by the state on both sides of the highway would not be large enough to build a gas station, the possibility exists that a private developer could purchase adjoining land to expand the rest stop and build one.

The rest stop on I-93 North can currently be accessed from Route 3A, but drivers cannot cut through to the highway to avoid tolls. Granfield said that road design will remain.

YOUR COMMENTS

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i'm gonna go with this ..liquor(in moderation of course doesn't kill people...people kill people i hate when people have to automatically associate an expansion of a liquor store on the highway with drunk driving don't worry there a state patrolman out there watching you after you leave the place and folks...what's wrong with tourism?
- james, manchester nh

The time has arrived to turn thst area into a modern travel center that would accomodate comuters, business travelers, and tourists.
Leave it to our poltical leaders to find a "consrvative plan;"(translation, short term inadequate solution that will generate immediate revenue for the standing administration.).
Instead of building an interchange at Hooksett years ago, a cheap bulding was thrownup on the other side of the highway
.In my recollection this buildig has served as a liquor store for 30+ years with no appreciable improvement.
- arthur lapalme, manchester

Wonderful idea... we travel around the U.S. and appreciate the states who have these all-inclusive rest areas! It will also bring more jobs!
- Debbie, Dunbarton, NH

Nice move. The local town gets more tax revenue and gets to have their planning and zoning board review everything. Next the state could make a lot more revenue by putting up a bar inside the state liquor store so the drivers could consume more. Next let's get the standard fair of a Mikey D's or a burger kind so we can get all the families loaded up with happy meals. Those are two places I always avoid. Last thing is a gas station that charges at least 10 cents more a gallon than the local places. That would work out great or we could just let people know that if they got off the road in Hookset they could find all of those locations right now.
- Don Armstrong, Henniker

Mark from Rochester: I snack on the way home from Hanafords, smoker's light up immediately after buying cigarettes in a store, and who uses a manual saw anymore?

The point is the message that having a liquor store on the highway projects, and it's blatant contrast to the states "Don't Drink and Drive" messages. Highway liquor stores came before "casting the wrong message" became something to care about, so we're all used to it, but people have been pointing out the hyprocracy for as long as I can remember.
- mike, manchester

Take a look around that rest area. You will see empties in the trash in and around the parking lot. I guess these are all from passengers. This trash is because folks do not to be caught with an open container
- Paul, Milford

The comments about the liquor store being next to the highway are kinda stupid. Can we assume most people are going to drive to the liquor store, and most people are not going to drink on the way home? I don't eat my groceries on the way home from Hannaford's, and I don't start sawing wood on the way home from Home Depot.

That said, I think this is a terrible idea. Every nickel someone spends on the highway in Hooksett is one they don't spend in Manch or Concord. Don't rush to make this state look like our neighbor to the south - its residents may snicker and say we're backwoods hicks, but they can't wait to get here every Friday afternoon.
- Mark, Rochester

Unbelievable! We have people losing their jobs and homes everyday, yet this state continues to pander to the tourists and build monuments to praise their coming.
We don't want to be like Mass. by the way.
I don't drink, so I can't grasp the concept of having liquor stores beside the highway and then tell people NOT to drink and drive.
I don't care what other states do- they don't have all the benefits we have here like NO SALES TAX. Why must we keep trying to be like other states? Has everyone forgotten what the NH advantage is?
Let's get the dems out of office (and out of our pockets) and stop this wasteful spending.
- Pauline, Franklin

Great idea, that is long overdue!
- Larry, Manchester

The extra money made from a commercial rest area could be spent on one of those cool signs that say 8 minutes to 89.
- Jerry, Bow

This idea is an old one and is long overdue. NH has a lot of "old school" thinking when it comes to increasing revenue. NH could be far better off than it is if our state leaders would throw out the old school ideas and do what is right to make our state move forward economically. That includes gambling Mr. Governor!
- Doug, Concord

I remember the first time I stopped at one of these 'rest areas' in NH. I needed to use the rest room. What I got was a smelly, fly-infested, filthy porta-potty.

Clean these places up, put a food court and real restrooms in, and generate tax revenue for the state. Make them genuine rest areas/visitor centers. Do the same with the Rt. 95 sites. How is it that NH is so far behind other states?
- John S., Nashua

It's a fantastic idea! Many, many people stop to shop the liquor store and use the rest rooms, why not give them the opportunity to grab something to eat as well. It would be a plus for Hooksett, we can use all the tax revenue we can get.
- Ann, Hooksett

This should have been done a long time ago. It should also include a number of fast food restaurants and an over-priced gas station. Do you realize all of the rental income the State of NH has lost over the years by NOT having this. The state doesn't run these businesses, they are the landlord and collect huge rent from the businesses. That is why every highway in virtually every other state has these businesses in their rest areas. This is exactly the way the State of NH should be bringing in money for the state. Would you prefer an income tax or a sales tax ??????
- Karen, Manchester

Terrible idea. We don't want this on our highways.
- Tom, Canterbury

It would be nice if the state considered reserving space for a locally owned, non franchise business or two in the rest stop rather than just more franchises. Yes I know franchises can and often are locally owned. It would be REALLY nice if there was a 'fast food' stop there which had a healthy menu. Maybe even a few vegetarian options other than a salad or fish sandwich.
- J.G., Concord, NH

I really hope the people who post on here aren't representative of the state as a whole, because if it is, we are really dumb. All anyone complains about is taxes going up, but when the state has a plan to INCREASE revenue, people complain about that. Unbelivable...
- Greg, Manchester

Can't they drive an extra 10 minutes to the center of town in Concord? Or 10 less and stop in Manchester? I hope the state won't be spending a dime on this project....
- Jay, Manchester

What they really need is an "ice" vending machine. You can get the rum and coke but never the ice. It's a long ride up to the ski areas if you know what I mean. However if they do put a Micky D's, we'll now have the cup too. That's just great.
- Cabot, Londonderry

JJ, Manchester:

I have never read a more disgusting, ignorant comment. I hope you and your buddy Eric are caught soon and thrown in jail where you belong. There is no excuse for drinking and driving, even when done in "moderation". Smarten up before you two chowderheads kill an innocent person or yourselves.
- Derek, Windham

Making New hampshire highways feel like the Massachusetts Turnpike or New York State thruway...heck - NH is now a liberal, high tax, high reglated state...like Mass...what's the difference now??
- Larry, Nashua

I really don't see a problem with this. So the state is finding a way to make money. Great. Look around....I have driven up and down the east coast and out west. Every where I go, I encoutner some type of "large" rest area with some type of shopping, rest rooms, food (not just vending machines) etc. except in NH. It's about time.
- George, Concord

Wow, I can't believe all the saints on here, or should I say two faced liers. I guarantee you 99% of the people on here has drank alcohol and then drove, some probably on a regular bases. There's nothing wrong with it if you can control it. I go skiing every weekend, and I can't remember the last time my buddy Eric and I didn't stop at the liquor store buy a bottle between us, and share it for the ride up to the mountains. Who honestly hasn't done that?? It's not like we pound it, it's in moderation. You all do it so stop acting like you're innocent of it. Happy trails!!!
- JJ, Manchester

This is a FABULOUS idea. As a parent who has to travel all over New England for hockey, we have traveled many state highways and many states have areas similar to these and we've utilized them many, many times. And no, they obviously don't have the liquor store in the same area, but the liquor store is already there, so why not make the stops have more of a variety rather than just one? And to answer some of the other posters, those other stops have both fast food restaurants and healthy natural food choices. Most of them also have gas stations as well (reasonably priced I might add). Having these stops allow motorists to have the opportunity to stop, rest, have a bathroom break, walk around or just take a break from driving. They can re-fuel their cars and themselves as well and if the state can generate some revenue from it, WHY NOT? It's a win - win situation for all involved.
- Lori, Manchester

Hey Chris from Dover. Google works great. "only 10 (Alabama, Idaho, New Hampshire, Oregon, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, and Utah) run liquor establishments."
- Kenneth LaClair, Oviedo, Fl.

This STATE is goooooing down hill, used to be a great place to live, now its running in place with Lawrence/Lowell...I should know I've lived in Manchester my whole life..(40 + yrs how boring)...and I have noticed it slowly getting worse.Crime has increased and the people who own homes are getting TAXED TO DEATH...but that's ok keep letting MASS HOLES come to our state so they can throw their trash along our highways....Never mind expanding liquor stores and fast food chains can't NH think of anything better to do with our TAX MONEY.....
- Alleekat, Manchester,NH

So you people think that building a bigger liquor store will create more drunk driving? People do not buy their liquor off the highway, sit in their car and drink it, then continue on. This is not a bar, it is a store. As for the food, I would prefer people having to go off the highway and hit up a local establishment, but in reality, many of these drivers likely get off the highway and go to a chain restaurant anyway. I would be less concerned about liquor stores and fast food at these rest stops, and more concerned about why unnessesary money is being spent on this project when the State budget is in the shape it is in.
- Joe, Conway

Joe that would cost millions that the taxpayers would have to cover to reroute the highway, etc.

If the businesses come to each side, one would assume that they would pick up the tab for any development and would receive the long leases instead of ownership.

Highway costs over a million a mile to build. FYI
- Miss B, Laconia, NH

I don't understand how some people think that a liquor store on the highway means that people are drinking and driving. Most of the people who stop at the rest areas/liquor stores are going to/from vacation. Stopping for a bottle of booze does not mean that they are drinking it on the way there.

I applaud the state for coming up with a way to increase revenue in a time when our taxes are going up up up. I am sure they will still go up, but every little bit helps.
- Chip, Bow

@Deb - Derry - They want to sell food at the rest areas, not quarter soldiers in your home. Tell the voices to stop.
- Biff, Canterbury

Just what America needs more fast food restaurants.............get real.
- MC, Londonderry

Let me ask a question:

Have you ever gone to a liquor store that can not be driven to?

All liquor stores are on Highways, streets or in a mall that someone drives to.

Selling liquor on the high way does not tell people to drink and drive.

Stupid people drink an drive no matter where they drive to in order to buy the acohol.
- Mike, Manchester

I'm curious, are there any other states, besides NH, that have liquor stores right off the highway? Are there any other states where the state is the only "vendor" that can legally sell hard alcohol?
- Chris, Dover

How come some of these posts say that having liquor stores at a highway rest stop encourages drunk driving and leads to more drunk drivers on the roads? It's not a bar. They don't serve mixed drinks in to-go mugs. It's a store where they sell closed containers of alcohol. Like a grocery store, convenience store, etc. Do people leave the liquor store, get into their car, crack open the vodka they just purchased, and sip it all the way home? If so that's disturbing, but isn't it a problem no matter where the liquor store is located?
- Jen, Manchester

Chris,

Of course not. But why make it easier?

Why is the state pushing a deadly drug for recreational use, but will not allow marrijuana for medical use?
- BH, Goffstown

You know the biggest problem in New Hampshire these days? The apathetic people like those found on these blog sites that will rant and rave about everything - this is bad, that is bad - woe is me -NH is in the toilet.

SHUT UP and run for office and fix what you dont like already!
- Corey, Manchester

To Leo in Canterbury: you really think NH roads are terrible? You must not get out much, as I would put our roads up against ANY other state in New England.

As far as expanding the rest area...do people really think the average traveller is going to go off the beaten path to find local eateries...especially with a carload of kids screaming for happy meals in the backseat on their way to the mountains?

If this is producing tax revenue for the town (which I'm understanding it is currently not), and assuming the town wants it, I'm not sure what people are complaining about.
- RJ, Merrimack

Chris from Bedford:

I think the idea is to be part of the solution, not the problem.

People are not going to stop using drugs because they are illegal, but at least we are not using state resources to promote and sell them.

I don't think there is anything wrong with having liquor stores, but I do not think it should be looked as a positive revenue source for a state that is trying to combat problems with alcohol abuse.

In my opinion, if the state wants to control liquor sales and earn a profit, fine. But those profits should be used directly to deal with the substance abuse problems in our state. Ideally they would fund both law enforcement and recovery programs.

I do not like the idea of profiting from liquor sales while at the same time shutting down programs like MOP, etc. because there is "no money"
- Chris, Keene

Liquor stores make money, and maybe a local restaurant can locate there. Win win!
of course Hooksett may take too long deciding on a restaurant like they did with Cabelas and the whole thing will fall through!!! And to Tracy??? In better shape when Benson was in office, better check your facts.
- Jack, Concord

Great... more litter on the highways. Who'll be responsible or the cleanup?
- Steve, Windham

Whose idea was it to put a liquor store on the highway anyway? I'm not from around here, can someone please explain this to me?
- Savannah, Manchester

Now we know why they failed to pass medical marijuana. They don't want the competition for the state's liquor business.
- Bob, Concord

Then we need to consider more State staff for highway maintenance will be needed to help pick up all the TRASH this will create! I don't know why they don't enforce the littering laws we have - we sure could produce some revenue from that!
- Linda, Webster

I guess I'm not understanding why people think that if the state does away with the liquor stores, then everyone will suddenly sober up?
- Chris, Bedford

No, no, no! The last thing that we need is fast food restaurants at our rest areas. There is no reason to give a national chain an advantage over our local eateries.
- Jeff, Manchester

I have to know...how is it our state is in trouble financially but we have money to enlarge the liquor store? What's wrong with this picture? I wish Benson was back in office...at least we were in good standing then.
- tracy, manchester

NH hypocracy in action.

We want tourist to shop at local businesses, but we're going to put fast food, gas, and liquor at a place that discourages people from getting off the highway to get to these stores.

We discourage drunk driving, and certainly don't want marijuana in our state (out freedomed by Mass, ugg), and even discourage using cells phones while driving ... but we'll make it really easy to booze up, fill your hands with fast food and cigarettes, and then put you back out on the highway.

At least more rest areas mean less chance of walking in on two guys sharing a bathroom stall at the local Xmart type store.
- mike, manchester

I'm all in favor of expanding the liquor stores but not adding fast food. I think by adding fast food, tourists will not exit in Hooksett or Concord and support our local restaurants and shops. Concord Chamber of Commerce should be objecting to this as well.

John - Pembroke
- John, Pembroke

No weed for the sick, but newer bigger liquor stores so more people can get drunk and drive. I am so proud of my state.....not!
- BH, Goffstown

What's next, high priced gasoline stations along with the fast food and liquor stores on the highways in NH?
Those obese drunks will have now a full tank of gas to drive on our highways.
Great idea, heck we sound more and more like Massachusetts!
- Meghan Griffin, Manchester NH

Now I can understand why the State of New Hampshire cannot continue to fund the multiple offendor program (MOP) for drunk drivers. We need that money to expand liquor sales on our highways!

Honestly, does anyone else see the irony in these plans?

We have such a drunk driving problem that we cannot afford to keep DWI offenders in jail or in rehabilitation programs, but we can afford to expand liquor sales on state highways?

How about we use ALL the profits the state earns on selling booze to deal with ALL the problems alcohol abuse creates? If we are going to sponsor drinking, lets own the problems it creates and deal with them.

Anyone with me on this?
- Chris, Keene

Let's make it even easier for MA residents to avoid paying their taxes and taking advantage of the NH advantage. Let's make an exit ramp from the rest stop SOUTH - so to make it easier for them to get back home where they belong.
- Chester, Londonderry

Here we are trying NOT to promote drinking & driving and what does the state want to do now? Expand the I-93 Liquor Store. Great idea, not! I was told by an employee of the State Liquor Commission that the liquor stores are too profitable to not have. Yeah, profitable in every way: sales, DUI arrests and DUI deaths.
- Karen S., Lisbon

It looks like our leadership is getting ready for the new food and soda tax the feds are considering. We can't miss out on that can we?

How did we ever survive two hundred years without being taxed to save ourselves from eating and drinking?

These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.
- Deb, Derry

Expanding revenue opportunity is always good.

Let's think about offer food choices that aren't limited to McDonalds and Dunkin Doughnuts.
- Harry, Atkinson

What a great idea! Let's take care of the booze on the boarders and continue to let the schools across the state continue to crumble and struggle to educate the kids!
- bob j, durham

Just what we need, obese drunks on the highways in NH.
- Lenny B., Manchester

Oh great! Another Dunkin Donuts and McDonalds to look forward to everytime I drive by on the way to work. Wow maybe we can even get some overpriced gas station at the same time....
- Todd, Concord

Starbucks, are you reading this?!?! We need you!
- Ruth, Hooksett

Expansion of the rest area and liquor stores is a great idea, and should help boost revenues for the state. As far as the state being involved in liquor sales, I do not have a problem with that at all. Whether private companies or the state sell liquor, it will still be sold in the state, and having stores on the highway doesn't promote drinking and driving; that is a bad decision that is made regardless of where or when someone purchases alcohol.
- Rick, Concord

So, Joe C...
you want to re-allign both sides of probably a mile of highway? Thats what it would take to make enough room to put in a rest area like you propose....
Cant imagine how much that would cost and how long to do.....
- John, Manchester

Hope they can implement this better than they did EZ Pass! I hope they study/copy the success of what ME and MA have done on their highways and avoid any mistakes they made during their implementation. Just takes a visit/phone call!
- Mike, Goffstown

It's about time. Where on earth have you been NH? Have you not seen that just about ever other state in the nation offers options at there rest areas? Have you never stopped in to see the traffic and money generated at these places. Why has it taken out leadership so long to respond to the needs of the travelers using there roads. When is NH going to get some innovators and creating thinkers in these positions so maybe some day we can lead the nation instead of follow and respond to it?
- Joshua, Manchester

I'm so proud. Maybe we could design a call-ahead and drive-through, so that people could just drive into the store, pick up their liquor, and continue on, all without leaving their vehicle. We could charge extra for loosening the cap on the bottle, so that the driver can focus on the road.
- Aldo, Manchester

We need more daibetics, we are not spending enough health care dollars on diabetes and obesity. Putting booze and poinsonous fast food in one convenient location is super smart.
- Dorothy, Concord

It's time for the state to privatize liquor sales and get out of this business.
- William Smith, Manchester, NH

People are slaughtered almost daily on NH's crappy roads, and DOT is busy studying ways to sell more booze. The NH Way, in action!
- Leo, Canterbury

Spend whatever it takes to get your tax dollars from booze, but God forbid we talk about expanding gambling in the state!
- Bill, Whitefield

Now you can move the tolls to be right next to the new state-run McDs so you can get a buck from me and sell me a hamburger.
- Rich, Concord

Does anyone else think there is something wrong with the state enforcing the liquor laws if they are going to run all the state stores? There are so many examples of the liquor commission going after bars that violate policies ( and rightfully so ). Have you ever heard of the liquor commission investigating the role of alcohol (bought at our state run liquor stores) in domestic abuse or other such crimes? I wouldn't be surprised if 50% of all domestic disputes involved alcohol. I would guess maybe 25% of those involved alcohol bought from a state liquor stores. So what do you think??
- Jeremy, Manchester

This would be a welcome addition!

Why not have a single rest stop/plaza between the northbound and southbound lanes? Wouldn't this make more sense in the long run with reduced overhead?
- Joe C, Manchester