City making progress on varied projects — new jobs, homes, and parking spots coming soon!

The City of Manchester is planning a new, expanded public parking lot in this location with work scheduled to begin next spring. Photo credit: Sara Swanson.

by Marsha Chartrand

Manchester is growing.

Two years ago Manchester went from a Village to a City, with a few stalls along the way. Though there was concern about possible changes that might bring, things seem to have worked out okay and it seems that the change it brought is growth! The City has just recently announced new jobs, new homes, and new parking spots downtown, all coming our way in the near future.

Manchester was selected last year as the location for Damian’s Craft Meats in the industrial park near Hogan and M-52. This will be a meat-processing facility in addition to eventually providing limited retail services. Progress has been slow and mostly steady, with a little doubt mixed in when a $400,000 grant earmarked for a sewer and water extension to the property, engineered by State Senator Jeff Irwin, appeared to be involved in federal government cutbacks.

A last-minute effort (including the drama of middle-of-the-night texts and phone calls) between city management and the “big government” rescued the earmark from near-oblivion and will allow the project to continue. City manager Michael Sessions anticipates that at least an 18-month buildup will be involved and we will see a very busy year ahead in 2026 and looking ahead to 2027. But things are moving forward again at last. “We are making progress,” Sessions said. “I’m very excited for the community.”

The new endeavor will bring between 20 and 30 new jobs to Manchester. More “busy” will be coming to our community this summer, on the west side of town.

Earlier this year the city was approached by Allen Edwin Homes, as the developer hoped to begin phase two of the long-delayed Emerald Glen subdivision. The subdivision is located on Emerald Glen Dr. and Glen Oak Dr. off of Galloway Dr., extending back to Sandborn Rd., south of Carr Park. There’s been lots of prep work with this project as well, including a brownfield development program and more water and sewer projects. Ultimately, Sessions says he anticipates a total of about 40 homes being built throughout the community as part of this expansion project. Homes will be priced competitively for the Manchester market, but a limited number will be designated as affordable housing as well.

And midway between the east side and west side, the city is planning a new, expanded public parking area along Madison St. downtown (behind the gas station and Frank’s Place and the adjacent businesses to the east on Main). Plans are currently well underway and work will begin in early spring.

So, everywhere you look, Manchester is growing.

Keep watching.

2020 aerial view of 789 Hogan Rd (southeast corner of Hogan and Sooten roads), the future location of Damian’s Craft Meats. Mirror file image.

Dec 2, 2015 editor’s note: This article originally incorrectly stated that the sewer and water extension grant was aided by US Rep. Debbie Dingell when it was in fact Sate Sen. Jeff Irwin. 

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.