People and Property: Real Estate and Construction News From Around NH

Floodplain work off Routes 101-10-12 in Keene is expected to wrap for the year next month. (Abby Provencal/Keene Sentinel)

Keene floodplain work near Best Western to wrap for the season next month

Most of the construction to add floodplain storage near the Best Western hotel in Keene should be completed in October, a state transportation official said last week.

The project, on Routes 101-10-12 between the T intersection and the Winchester Street-Route 101 roundabout, will restart in March, with the final completion date set for next summer, said Stephen Lowe, an engineering technician with the state agency.

No further shoulder closures are anticipated after the bulk of the work is completed next month, said Richard Arcand, a spokesperson for the transportation department.

The work is creating floodplain storage after 19.9 acres of floodplain was lost to four related construction projects between 2007 and 2017, according to the department: the Base Hill Road intersection with Routes 9 and 10; the Winchester Street-Route 101 roundabout; West Street improvements; and the multi-use trail over Routes 12 and 101.

The floodplain work will pick up again in March for planting and seeding in the area, as the planting deadline for this year is approaching on Nov. 1, Lowe said.

Shrubs and trees will be planted in the area, including silver maple, red maple and elm trees, as well as a mix of wildflower seeds.

Arcand said the project cost is $1,676,050. The project is 100% federally funded, Lowe said. — ABBY PROVENCAL/KEENE SENTINEL

Greenville rehabilitation plans continued, again

An application for a rehabilitation center in downtown Greenville has once again been continued without discussion at the request of the applicant.

The proposal includes the major renovation of a former mill building at 21 Chamberlain St. into a 28-day drug-and-alcohol rehabilitation center. The Planning Board has found the application to have regional impact, both because of the property’s proximity to the Souhegan River and due to the potential impact to mutual aid services such as fire, police and ambulance.

As of June 15, when applicant Georges Realty appeared before the board, the applicant was working through comments submitted by the Souhegan River Local Advisory Committee and Department of Environmental Services.

The plans have been before the Planning Board for a site plan application for several months, but have not been discussed at length since June, as the applicants requested continuances during the last two scheduled hearings on the issue. The Planning Board granted both hearings, forwarding the application to the next hearing date without discussion, and without the applicants present.

During the most-recently scheduled hearing on the application, scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 21, the applicant requested to continue the meeting prior to the hearing, a repeat of the last scheduled hearing Aug. 17. The Planning Board granted the continuance, and the meeting was continued until Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. at the Mascenic SAU offices on Adams Street in Greenville, without further discussion. — ASHLEY SAARI/MONADNOCK LEDGER-TRANSCRIPT

Lavallee Brensinger Architects welcomes new hires to New England offices

Manchester-based architect firm Lavallee Brensinger Architects recently announced they hired several new members to the teams at their offices in Boston, Mass., Manchester, NH, and Portland, Maine.

Joining the firm are (top row, left to right) Chris Urner, senior project architect; Irene Suescum, project designer; Michael Albert, senior product manager; Wolfgan Meckem, project designer; (bottom row, left to right) Zachary Brock, senior project manager and technical leader; Mario Lewis, project architect; and Jacqueline Valeri, co-op interior designer.

Ledyard responds to local housing needs with loans for homeowners and renters

In a recent press release, Ledyard National Bank addressed the current housing crisis in the Upper Valley by announcing three  targeted programs.

Launched in just the past few months, the company’s Renters Advantage Loan is designed to help individuals and families who might find it challenging to cover first and last month’s rent, plus security and pet deposits upon signing a lease or other rental agreement. With no closing costs or minimum credit score required, borrowers can access up to $5,000 with a simple application and having met certain household income thresholds.

For homeowners, Ledyard’s Express Home Loan allows borrowers to quickly tap into the equity of their home and finance immediate or unexpected projects with amounts from $500 to $10,000. With no closing costs and only a $50 processing fee, this offer features an interest rate and monthly payments that are fixed for the life of the loan, subject to income and some geographic restrictions.

And for those looking to purchase their first home in the region, Ledyard is participating in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston’s Equity Builder Program, offering down payment and closing cost assistance, as well as new homebuyer credit counseling services. Financial institutions are given federal grants to assist households at or below 80% of the area’s median income level and borrowers are eligible to receive up to $29,000 on a first-come, first-serve basis.

According to Ledyard President & CEO Josephine Moran, “Our programs can be a stepping stone toward achieving the goal (of improving improve financial circumstances and living conditions). It’s not just a loan in many cases, it’s about changing someone’s life for the better.”