PLANNED ACQUISITION OF THE HACKETT HILL PROPERTY BY MANCHESTER

In the 1960s, the University of New Hampshire, whose main campus is located in Durham, NH, opened a "branch" of the University in Manchester. Initially, the branch was known as Merrimack Valley College. It was established on property located in the northwest corner of the city, and consisted of a single building (French Hall), positioned adjacent to Hackett Hill road, which runs towards the northwest from Route 3A. In French Hall, a spacious, modern building which contains classrooms, a library, offices, computer labs, a cafeteria, etc., courses were offered that would lead to a two year Associates Degree.

Within a few years, there were plans to expand UNH-Manchester. In order to build a true campus, the 830-acre Hackett Hill site was purchased. Proposals were also floated that the new academic buildings could be complemented by buildings which would accomodate a larger student body.

At this point in time, a road was built uphill into the interior of the property. At the road's termination, a large parking-lot complex (which is now known as the "phantom parking lots") was built near a massive water tower. This "infrastructure", which includes sewer lines,electrical lines, etc., has never been used, since the proposed buildings were never constructed.

In 1986, UNH opened a second "branch" in the Manchester millyard by leasing space from the city in renovated mill buildings. This locale became known as "University Center". It was also equipped with classrooms, offices, labs, etc., as well as an auditorium. UNH-Manchester students took classes at both the "hill" and the "mill" campuses. Meanwhile, academic expansion occurred and eventually several 4 year programs became available.

In recent years, it became apparent that UNH-Manchester would fare better if its two campuses were consolidated. The downtown area appeared more appropriate for this purpose. It could be reached by public transportation, and moreover, the millyard area and downtown Manchester were both undergoing considerable improvement and revitalization.

In the fall of 1998, a purchase-sale arrangement was discussed between the City of Manchester and UNH. According to this plan, the city would purchase the Hackett Hill property from UNH. The University, in turn, would purchase the mill building space needed for its academic programs and would lease parking spaces from the city. French Hall and the 8.8 acres on which it is located would remain the property of UNH for 2 years while a transition of Hackett Hill programs to University Center was underway.

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