Rochester has big plans for former St. Elizabeth Seton School and old Ben Franklin store

ROCHESTER — The City Council on Tuesday unveiled plans for two prominent city properties.

Rochester purchased the 15 Bridge St. property that was formerly home to St. Elizabeth Seton School, which in 2022 was closed by the Diocese of Manchester in a consolidation of Catholic schools.

The City Council also noted it will lease the vacant 60-62 Wakefield St. property that was formerly a Ben Franklin store.

Here's a look at plans for each of the two properties:

Affordable housing at former St. Elizabeth Seton School?

On Tuesday, the council also voted to unseal minutes from prior nonpublic meetings regarding the purchase of the former St. Elizabeth Seton School property. The intent of the purchase is to market the building to a developer who will agree to create affordable housing, said Mayor Paul Callaghan.

The council previously voted to enter into a purchase and sale agreement to acquire the property from the Diocese of Manchester for a total $1.7 million, using $750,000 from American Rescue Plan Act funds and $950,000 from a Rochester Economic Development Commission's reserve fund previously approved for affordable housing projects.

By purchasing this school it should create more opportunities for our downtown, generate economic activity, increase tax revenue, create more jobs, increase foot traffic and boost more spending into our downtown area," Callaghan said in a prepared statement. "My hope is that both buildings will attract more people to our downtown and foster community pride."

Michael Scala,, the city's director of economic development, said the city’s intent is to post a request for proposals and turn over the property to a private developer as soon as possible.

“We will require an affordable housing component,” said Scala. “Additionally, we will retain easements for the Riverwalk due to its proximity to the Cocheco River.”

More: Dozens of new townhouses proposed in Rochester in two locations

City officials said the strategic redevelopment of the former St. Elizabeth Seton School is critical to ongoing downtown revitalization efforts and the future of the Riverwalk, while simultaneously addressing the pressing need for additional affordable housing units in Rochester.

Rochester looks to add parking at Wakefield Street site

The former Ben Franklin store has been vacant for many years, and Mayor Paul Callaghan said leaders are looking at the site to help meet parking needs.

Since purchasing the property was not an option, the city negotiated a $2 million lease over 10 years.

Councilors said the lease is exclusively for the use of the building and parking lot, which includes approximately 110 spaces that will be used to alleviate downtown parking concerns.

Formed in February 2022, a city manager’s self-directed parking review group conducted an online survey to solicit public input.

Survey results released by the council show “54.17% of respondents said they visit downtown to eat at restaurants, 11.75% to shop retail, and 10.73% for personal services, such as hair salons, nail bars, and facials. 61.86% say they utilize street parking, 61.02% say they use the Union Street lot behind Revolution Taproom, and 30.68% use the North Main Street Lot across from Lilac City Grille.”

When asked what barriers exist to finding downtown parking, 70.17% said the availability of nearby parking spaces. To get to their destination, 60.2% said they were willing to walk up to one block, which Planning and Development Director Shanna Saunders considers to be approximately 400 feet.

The availability of the property for parking will be especially useful starting in late 2024, when the Union Street parking lot is slated to close temporarily to allow for a complete redesign, utility upgrades, and other refurbishments. The new design includes additional parking spaces, rain gardens for better drainage, landscaping, and a dumpster corral for nearby businesses to share. Construction for the project is expected to last up to 12 months.

Councilors said concerns have been raised by residents, customers, and downtown business owners regarding a lack of available nearby parking due to the impending closure of the Union Street lot, some citing increased downtown housing development as another factor.

Scala, the economic development director, said the new parking lot at the former Ben Franklin property will include public parking spaces and permitted parking options for new downtown residents. Uses for the former retail store are still under consideration.

“Our first priority will be parking to help our downtown businesses and residents,” said Scala. “Once the parking lot is ready and open to the public, our department will begin exploring potential opportunities to occupy the building and help alleviate some of the cost.”

Callaghan shared his thoughts, too.

"It's been empty and underutilized for many years," he said of the Ben Franklin property, in a prepared statement. "It addresses the need for more parking. (It) shows the city is supporting our local businesses which will improve our local economy.  It has the potential to be leased to a local entrepreneur and  it has the potential of improving community engagement and interaction as it could serve as a community space, hosting events, workshops and gatherings that provide for people to connect and engage with each other."

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Rochester buys old St. Elizabeth Seton School, leaders former store