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Londonderry moves toward ‘downtown’ feel for site on former orchard

By Staff | Dec 2, 2016

LONDONDERRY – The town is one step closer to the development of more than 600 acres of a former orchard into a mixed-use commercial venture.

"Last night the planning board gave conditional approval for the first phase of the overall build-out," said town planner Colleen Mailloux.

Plans have been in place since 2013 for a combination retail, office and living space on what used to be an orchard.

Mailloux said the area will have a "downtown, urban sort of feel of mixed-use development, restaurants, a brewery, retail, hotel; a little bit of everything thrown in there."

The first phase will be directed to about 45-50 acres to be called Woodmont Village.

"It’s unique for the town, unique for New England," said Mailloux. "Mixed-use is a trend we’re starting to move towards."

A dozen or so miles away in Bedford, a similar project is planned for the site of the former Macy’s department store on South River Road.

"It’s a large project," she said. "The initial phase is several times the size of that Bedford project."

The town is also preparing to accommodate another connection to Interstate-93 near Exit 4, which links both Londonderry and Derry. Residents have been both supportive and wary of extending development through the town.

Mailloux said the project is not changing the overall character of Londonderry, but creating its own village behind the existing Market Basket.

"Londonderry is uniquely positioned in the state," she said, and the town wants to "make sure development happens correctly. It’s always a balance."

Mailloux said the project is "creating a destination within the Woodmont area," and will not be "changing the character we want to make sure we’re preserving."

"We’re hoping for the spring of 2017 to begin. It’s my understanding in the initial phasing, a brew pub is one of the first buildings to go in," Mailloux said.

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