Dec. 3—MANCHESTER — The Board of Directors will discuss and possibly vote Tuesday night on a plan to purchase an often-vacant retail building on Main Street near the site of the new library.
The parents of Attorney General William Tong are the owners of the lot at 942 Main St. under the name WJSJM LLC. The parcel contains a single-story, 19,600-square-foot retail building adjacent to the Forest Street parking lot that's known locally as the Tong building.
The building has a history of vacancies, though it currently houses some businesses. During the political campaign season earlier this year, one of the larger units served as local Democratic campaign headquarters.
A proposal to purchase 942 Main St. for $1.75 million was first brought up at an Oct. 4 Board of Directors meeting, but it was ultimately tabled due to a lack of time for discussion.
Now, the decision has returned to the Board of Director's agenda for Tuesday, though without a price tag attached.
The business item calls for authorization to allow the town manager to enter into a purchase and sale agreement for the purchase of the property.
Director Dennis Schain said if approved, the authorization would lead to negotiations with WJSJM LLC for the purchase of the property.
"If we give that authorization and they make a sale agreement, that will come back to the directors to authorize a final amount and authorize the purchase," Schain said.
Schain said if and when the Tong building is bought, the town would then gather bids from private developers for renovation ideas for the property.
"We want to go out pretty broadly and hear what the developers and market forces offer," Schain said, adding that retail and residential uses could fit into the space.
Mayor Jay Moran said one idea that originated from discussions regarding the potential purchase was a mixed-use development with residential units above retail shops.
"Nothing's set in stone, but there's some thoughts like that," Moran said.
Moran said if the town ultimately purchases 942 Main St., it would assist the existing tenants with relocation, if necessary.
"We want to be business-friendly — we don't want to put any businesses on the street without a place to be," Moran said.
Bernie LeBel, manager of the Downtown Manchester Special Services District, said there has been a lot of interest in 942 Main St. from the business community, though the group has not taken an official stance on the town's potential acquisition of the property.
Schain said a new development at 942 Main St. would tie in well with the town's plans for a new library at 1041 Main St., approved overwhelmingly by referendum voter last month on Election Day.