Exeter garage developer meets opposition

Historic District Commission wants to see old building preserved

The Historic District Commission has raised concerns about the demolition of this building because of historical significance.Jeff McMenemy photo

EXETER A longtime local businessman's efforts to demolish an abandoned downtown garage to create a new mixed-use development has run into opposition from the town's Historic District Commission.

Pam Gjettum, chairwoman of the commission, told Allen Lampert, owner of the garage at 1 Franklin St., she is opposed to having the building demolished because she believes it is "historically significant."

"They would be tearing down something that means something to Exeter," Gjettum said during the commission's recent meeting in the Town Offices.

The commission eventually deadlocked 2-2 on a vote to demolish the building.

But Gjettum said in an interview earlier this week that a recent tour of the site the first garage and auto dealership in Exeter has her hopeful that commission members can work with Lampert's architect to save at least some elements of the garage.

"They're thinking about (putting) a restaurant there," Gjettum said. "At least if we could save a wall or save a facade so people could look at it and know there was a garage there once."

Gjettum said she is "cautiously optimistic" that something can be worked out.

"Al is a really, really nice guy and he does a lot for the town," Gjettum said.

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Exeter garage developer meets opposition