Photo: Shari Small/WBZ NewsRadio
MANCHESTER, N.H. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A new plan to transform a key part of Downtown Manchester, New Hampshire is sparking some controversy.
As part of a downtown improvement project, the Manchester Aldermen voted to remove about 25 on-street parking spaces on Hanover Street to make the area more pedestrian-friendly and allow more outdoor dining.
With a tight vote of 8 to 6, the plan was approved to remove the more than two dozen on-street parking spaces right by the theater block.
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In their place will be wider sidewalks, pedestrian bump-outs, and more room for outdoor dining. Connor of Manchester says projects like these are why he moved to New Hampshire from Chicago.
"I know, like during COVID, there's a lot of places that closed down parking spots and opened up like outdoor seating. I was hoping that would stay around, so I think that's a great thing."
Many business owners support the idea, saying it will create more foot traffic, but some others don't want to lose the parking spaces, including the Palace Theatre. With such a close vote, one alderman is considering pushing for a reconsideration vote next month.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Shari Small (@ShariSmallNews) reports.