19-02-2025
Hillsborough County planning $6.1M renovation of Goffstown complex
Feb. 18—A $6.1 million renovation project at the Hillsborough County complex in Goffstown will include more space for the sheriff's office and the construction of a building to house the UNH Cooperative Extension.
"A major part of this reorganization includes relocating the sheriff's office, which will move into newly renovated spaces on the second floor of the Bouchard building and into the first-floor space currently occupied by the UNH Cooperative Extension," County Administrator Chad Monier said Friday.
Manchester construction company Brookstone Builders Inc. will serve as general contractor for the project at 329 Mast Road.
"The UNH Cooperative portion we're demolishing (is) an existing barn and (we're) building a new building on the same footprint or foundation for UNH," company President Karen Scales said.
Parking lot upgrades and landscaping also are included, she said.
At the sheriff's office, workstations now are shared by multiple staff members, Monier said.
"The dispatch area, which is roughly 238 sq. ft., regularly accommodates up to five individuals, all in close quarters with no access to outside air," he said in an email.
The renovation will create suitable areas for a law enforcement office, emergency dispatch center, offices, storage and conference room space, he said.
Other county departments also will relocate into larger areas in the Bouchard building.
An official at the cooperative extension referred questions to Monier.
Pandemic relief
Federal pandemic relief funds will pay for the project, which should be completed by Sept. 30, 2026.
Without the funding from American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, "these needed upgrades would have had to be delayed, which could have further strained county operations and impacted its ability to meet the needs of the public and staff," Monier said.
Federal law requires that states obligate, but not completely spend, all of the ARPA money by year's end or Washington takes back whatever is left to the federal treasury.
County commissioners did that in late December.
Monier said the town of Goffstown confirmed on Friday morning that the required permits will be signed on Tuesday. County officials intend to begin the project as soon as possible, he said.
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