Market Basket – Hooksett, NH

Located at Exit 10 off I-93 in Hooksett, NH, the project began as a consolidation of three separate lots to develop a phased, mixed-use project that would include the Market Basket and a proposed hotel to be developed at a later date.

The consolidated lot posed development challenges from the very beginning including extensive ledge, high groundwater, extreme topography, wetlands, state and federal highway right-of-ways and deeded easement restrictions.  Extensive permitting was required at both the State and local levels and included four separate variances that were granted by the Town for wetlands, proximity to the zoning setbacks, and groundwater protection overlay.

In order to preserve and protect the local resources as well as meet the Client’s site requirement needs and the requirements of the various State agencies that had jurisdiction over the project, the project team needed to get creative.  Two dams were designed in order to mitigate stormwater runoff requiring yet another permit, this time from the State Dam Bureau.  A one hundred thirty foot vehicular truss bridge is also located on the site and was designed to span a thirty foot ravine allowing access from the United Healthcare office building that is located southwest of the site, to a signalized intersection.  Stone strong retaining walls were engineered and designed with integrated guard rails which flank the main access drive and tie directly into the truss bridge.  All these elements were major undertakings and required an outstanding working relationship with all members of the development team to successfully complete.  Each of these massive elements blend seamlessly into the overall esthetic of the site by the use of abundant landscaping design elements including additional stacked stone walls, colorful planting beds and parking islands.