Hampton I-95 liquor stores and rest areas get makeover
HAMPTON – The New Hampshire Liquor Commission is moving forward with the sale and massive redevelopment of its properties along Hampton’s Interstate 95 corridor.
The commission issued a formal request for proposals on March 15 to eight potential buyers who are in the running to purchase and redevelop the property that currently houses its two liquor stores along both the northbound and southbound sides of I-95.
The commission plans to construct two state-of-the-art liquor stores and sell the remaining surplus property at the sites — 64 acres of land on the northbound side and 24 acres on the southbound side.
Eight companies are in the running to purchase the land and develop it for highway-oriented services such as fueling & EV charging stations, restaurants, informational, and other travel-related amenities. Each company is being asked to detail what their vision is for the property and price they are willing to pay.
Eight companies are in the running to purchase the land and develop it for highway-oriented services such as fueling & EV charging stations, restaurants, informational, and other travel-related amenities. Each company is being asked to detail what their vision is for the property and price they are willing to pay.
“The New Hampshire Liquor Commission has been working diligently with fellow state agencies, the town of
Hampton, and our consultants to arrive at this important milestone,” said Liquor Commission Chairman Joseph Mollica. “We look forward to this process resulting in the selection of a highly and uniquely qualified partner for this public-private partnership that will deliver a vibrant, first-class, and thoughtful New Hampshire-centric development that will benefit the state, local communities, customers, and the traveling public for decades to come.”
Developers in the running to purchase the property include Rt. 95 Hampton Outlets/Anagnost Realty & Development and Granite State Hospitality, which operates Common Man Roadside and opened the Hooksett welcome centers.
Other developers included Carlisle
Capital Corporation, I95 Seacoast Partners, Nouria Energy Corporation, and Venture III Holdings in Maine.
E.J. Powers, spokesman for the state Liquor Commission, said proposals from the eight companies are due May 17. A selection committee will then host buyer/developer interviews in June to select a buyer in July.
Liquor Commission officials have said proceeds from the sale would allow the commission to pay down all of its bond debt. The commission also projects the two new liquor stores, double in size, will result in increased sales surpassing the current $54.3 million generated annually at the two existing locations.
Officials said the deal would also be a boon to Hampton, which would realize new and significant ongoing property tax revenue from the new privately held portion of the redeveloped areas.
The state will retain ownership of the new NH Liquor & Wine Outlets while the selected developer will own all remaining property. The developer will be responsible for the common area maintenance expenses of the two parcels, including the two new liquor stores and all other improvements and welcome centers.
Since 2021, Hampton officials have gone back and forth with the Liquor Commission over its plans to develop the unused land surrounding its two stores.
With the input of the town’s Planning Board, in March 2022 Hampton voters approved a new overlay zoning district for the I-95 corridor. Now permitted are most of the commercial uses the Liquor Commission proposed including retail, restaurants, gas stations, emergency response roadside vehicle repair, electric vehicle charging stations, higher education recruitment center, visitor/welcome center and outdoor recreational areas.
At the town’s insistence, however, the new zoning regulations exclude the development of hotels or casino gaming, uses the Liquor Commission originally requested.