Hampton BEach Redevelopment project summary

The redevelopment of Hampton Beach State Park is an example of strong partnerships between the executive and legislative branches of government, state agencies and community, clients and contractors, and contractors and community.

Planning

Starting in 2001, the Town of Hampton and the Department of Resources and Economic Development and the Office of Energy and Planning partnered on a Master Plan for Hampton Beach. The town wanted to make some significant infrastructure improvements in the area and due to the close, sometimes overlapping management responsibilities, the partnership was established. The master plan set the stage for the future management and development of the area.

In 2008 recognizing that the Seashell facilities were becoming more and more expensive to maintain, the Division appropriated funding to prepare a design and development study with a cost estimate to present to the legislature. It was recognized early on that while the physical improvements were to state park facilities the redevelopment of the park would be an economic development project that would benefit the region and the state.

Economic Development

The Hampton Beach area has been a regional and international destination for over 100 years and tourism expenditures are an important revenue source for the State. An economic impact study was done for the 2008 study and then updated in December 2008; it showed that the public investment of capital monies will be returned to the State in increased revenue collected. It is also anticipated that the improvements at Hampton Beach State Park will spur reinvestment in the private property and business in the area.

Facilities

One of the key recommendations of the 2001 Master Plan was the dispersing of use from the central Seashell Complex. Two new bathhouses opposite A and M Streets bookend the site improvements and at each end of the project area “pocket parks” were built to allow gathering areas off the beach. Another key site feature is the inclusion of shade structures and landscape areas along the boardwalk. The landscape areas are filled with native grasses and shrubs and are intended to be low maintenance and drought tolerant.

The Seashell Complex was rebuilt on the same platform as the former complex. Public facilities were reorganized to accommodate visitors. The Visitor Services Building contains visitor information, public bathrooms, administrative offices and a small conference room. The Park Administration Building contains park operations including State Park Patrol and Park Maintenance. The new Seashell Building contains modern stage support services, public bathrooms, Oceanfront Conference Room and State Beach Patrol operations (lifeguards and first aid).

Looking to the Future

The new facilities will open fully to the public next summer. One of our promoted goals is to form even stronger partnerships with the community. The Division of Parks and Recreation is looking forward to making happy memories for the thousands of families who visit Hampton Beach State Park.

Project Timeline

Date	Event
November 2001	Hampton Beach Master Plan adopted.
January 2008	Samyn-D’Elia Architects of Ashland, NH are selected to do planning and design.
Winter/Spring 2008	Community Outreach for design study.
August 2008	Hampton Beach Design and Development Study released.
July 1, 2009	$14.5 million dollars appropriated by the NH Legislature for the redevelopment of Hampton Beach State Park.
Summer 2009	Samyn-D’Elia Architects develop construction documents. State will use a construction management process to begin project as soon as possible.
December 2009	Harvey Construction Corporation of Bedford, NH selected as general contractor.
March 2010	Mobilization and site work begin for the new bathhouses located at A and M Streets.
May 5, 2010	Governor Lynch officially breaks ground.
Summer 2010	Construction of bathhouses and site improvements underway.
September 2010	Seashell Complex is demolished.
October 2010 - April 2011	Five buildings and site work under construction including the Seashell Complex.
April 2011	Bathhouses at A and M Streets are open to the public.
May 12, 2011	Governor Lynch officially opens the bathhouses and new site improvements.
June 2011	The Visitor Services and Park Administration buildings open to the public.
Summer 2011	Construction on Seashell Building and seawall. Temporary lifeguard watch station and stage located on the beach by C Street.
Fall 2011	Major construction complete; interior finishes and plaza work continues.
December 13, 2011	Substantial Completion documents signed, project is complete.
June 2012	Grand Opening Gala!