Chinburg proposes 145 housing units at Somersworth mills where fire raged in 2019

SOMERSWORTH — Chinburg Properties hopes to build approximately 145 housing units in the mill district of the city, at the former Great Falls Bleachery and Dye Works, at 200 Main St.

"Chinburg is really excited about the opportunity to revitalize this site which has such a long and important history in Somersworth’s downtown," said Paul Goodwin, senior development manager for Chinburg and also a Somersworth city councilor. "The project is going to provide much needed housing to the downtown and region and our efforts are focused on attempting to save the last remaining portion of the Great Falls Bleachery and Dye Works." "

Fires at the site have left "only a small portion of the original mill complex" in place, he said.

"So the site and building present challenging conditions but we are working to assess a path forward for the project that enables us to retain the existing building while also greatly improving the site," Goodwin said.

Michelle Mears, the city's director of planning and community development, said the developer brought a conceptual plan to the city's Technical Review Committee this week. She said Chinburg will bring its concept to the Planning Board on March 20. A formal site plan has not yet been submitted.

Goodwin said Chinburg has owned the site for more than 20 years.

"Eric Chinburg purchased it with the hopes of bringing a project to the existing mill complex," he said. "COVID stalled that so now we are bringing it back."

History of mill building includes huge fire in 2019

The mill buildings, long vacant, were the location of a break-in and large fire in 2019. Goodwin said some of the buildings, including the one Chinburg seeks to redevelop, survived that blaze and another fire the same year.

"The first fire, in 2019 was massive, a 10-alarm fire," said Goodwin. "It turned out that it was juveniles who were involved. Then there was a second fire, the same year. That, and COVID, an unfortunate series of events put a damper on plans for the property and was very discouraging."

Five-story and four-story buildings planned

"The fires burned most of the buildings there," said Mears. "This area they are proposing is a big site, about 5 acres. The Building A they are looking at is five stories, about 36,610 square feet. They are looking to add another, four story building with underground parking, for another 20,704 square feet. It's a big project."

Mears said Chinburg is proposing to redevelop the property with residential multifamily buildings, with onsite parking. She said the site is accessed from River Street.

Goodwin said plans call for renovating Building A, the site of the former bleachery and dye factory, and adding another building adjacent to it.

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The Planning Board meeting March 20 "is for feedback regarding site layout, general concerns, zoning, utilities, lot constraints, etc.," Mears said.

"We are looking at how we can save this segment of the city's history," said Goodwin, who grew up in Somersworth. "Working on this, we have met people who worked at the bleachery."

Goodwin said following feedback from the Planning Board, Chinburg will finalize its proposal and submit a former site plan application to the city. He said the number of housing units, 145, is also conceptual and could be revised.

As a city councilor Goodwin said he would recuse himself if any of the plans came before the council for any reason.

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Chinburg proposes 145 housing units at Somersworth NH mills