After months of waiting, a fortuitous judicial move will allow Dartmouth to build extensively in an area of Hanover commonly known as the "South Block."
Grafton County Superior Court Judge Steven Horace has upheld permits granted by Hanover's zoning and planning boards, paving the way for the College to begin demolition and site preparation this winter and break ground in the spring.
The judge's ruling was a major setback for Dorrance Place resident Winifred Stearns, who had brought an appeal to the town's decision. Stearns argued that in the process of deliberation, the boards had failed to adequately reflect upon the building's possible deleterious effects on the neighborhood, including air and noise pollution.
However, Horace ruled against her appeal, finding that Stearns was unable to substantiate her allegations that the boards had not considered her objections. Stearns still holds the option to appeal the decision to the state Supreme Court within the next 30 days. If she declines, site preparation will move forward as planned.
The South Block project would be located in southern downtown Hanover within the 1.75-acre block defined by South Main Street, South Street, Currier Place and Dorrance Place. The College plans to replace the structures it owns on 10 of the 13 parcels on that block with buildings to house retail space on ground floors, apartments on upper floors and a parking lot on ground floors.
The project would eliminate much of the lower-quality housing in Hanover, while boosting the number of apartment units from 26 to 33 and doubling the amount of commercial space available on the block.
The construction, which would initially displace residents, may also put additional pressure on the Office of Residential Life, which has fallen short in meeting the demand for housing this year.
"In order to meet desires for housing as of this morning, Sept. 22, we had 12 students in lounge locations," Dean of Residential Life Martin Redman said.
All five businesses currently located on the block, including Caf Buon Gustaio, Ramunto's Brick and Brew Pizzeria, Stitches and Hanover True Value, will be moved as development progresses.
In order to minimize disruption in the area, the project will progress in phases. The plot currently occupied by Caf Buon Gustaio will undergo the first phase of construction, and a work on a building housing an expanded Hanover True Value will also start the process.
Caf Buon Gustaio will be moved to a new building, leaving its location to house a new Ramunto's. Further, a house will be constructed in the space left by Ramunto's parking lot.
"We're not trying to recreate upper Main Street," said project manager John Caulo in a 2003 interview.
He also expressed the College's hope to "extend a pedestrian retail environment" down South Street.
The project is the first half of the College's plan to renovate properties in downtown Hanover that it purchased in 1999. The second half, the Sargent Block project, which would lie between South and Lebanon streets, remains in the planning phase.
