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The Cochecho Waterfront Taskforce
In May of 1990, as a result of
recommendations by a number of previous studies and at the urging of the Greater Dover
Chamber of Commerce, the Dover City Council appointed the Cochecho Waterfront Task
Force.
Click Here to read about the Task Force and see the Master Plan. Then scroll down
the page to follow the progress of the waterfront development.
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The Riverwalk
In 1994, a Chamber/City partnership was created to
construct a riverfront walk along the downtown portions of the Cochecho River for the
enjoyment of Dover's citizens and its downtown workforce. The project incorporated
improvements to Henry Law Park which included a six foot wide, paved, lighted walk along
the Cochecho River, park benches, landscaping, a security fence, improvements to the
existing parking lot and a canoe launch. Many residents and business contributed to the
construction of the Riverwalk which was planned as the gateway to Dover's waterfront.
Phase I and Phase II of the Riverwalk were
carried out between the Summer of 1994 and the Fall of 1998.
Phase I included clean-up of the grounds in
Henry Law Park and new landscaping. New fencing along the river's bend, picnic
canopies, tables, and grills. Park lighting, benches and the cantilevered outlook
along the paved Riverwalk.
Phase II involved the brick paving and
curbing for the Riverwalk plaza, plaza lighting and fencing, plaza benches and
landscaping.
Phasee III is a future phase that involves extending the Riverwalk onto the
City-owned land and connecting the Riverwalk to other land down river.
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The Cochecho Riverfront Partnership
In December, 1994 the Dover City Council created the
Cochecho Riverfront Partnership for the purpose of overseeing and coordinating efforts
associated with the redevelopment of the City-owned land. This group was made up of
representatives from the City Council, The Dover Economic Development Corporation (DEDC),
The Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce, City Staff and individual citizens.
Initially, this group decided that the most appropriate
method to redevelop the 35-acre waterfront parcel would be to work in partnership with a
private developer to be selected through a request for proposal process. However,
the Partnership was concerned that the developer be subject to development guidelines
consistent with the community's vision for this land. In order to make this vision a
reality, the partnership agreed that a team of local and outside design experts should
work together in an intensive design effort. This design effort, known as a
Charette, would help provide the basis for the design guidelines for a prospective
developer. Once the guidelines were established, the city could then seek a
qualified developer.
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The Design
Charette
The 1995 Charette team was comprised of guest team
members from throughout the New England Region and local team members from Dover.
The teams prepared two conceptual plans that represented alternative approaches to a
redevelopment of the waterfront rather than blueprints for construction. Although
the approaches differ in the intensity of development, each offers an orderly and cost
effective approach to the redevelopment effort that is compatible with the existing
downtown. The Partnership recognizes that the actual timing and intensity of
redevelopment will in large part be market driven. However, the design guidelines
are intended to ensure that the future development of the Cochecho waterfront site
reflects the goals of the community. These guidelines address: (1) the scale of
development and allowable uses, (2) environmental quality, (3) circulation and access for
pedestrians and vehicles, and (4) management of development.
The program for implementation is intended to provide a
schedule of activities and investments by the City. These actions are intended to be
manageable, but important steps to maintain the progress made to date by the community and
to prepare for development opportunities.
The Charette teams analyzed the Cochecho Waterfront Task
Force Plan of 1990 and solicited public input prior to and during the Charette
process. This analysis generated several goals for redevelopment and reuse of the
City-owned property:
Charette
Low Density Concept 1
Charette
Moderate Density Concept 2
Read
the Entire Charette Report
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