The Manchester Board of Mayor & Aldermen voted to authorize the mayor and staff to negotiate an amended contract with NeighborWorks and LNG for construction of a third level on a downtown parking garage, with a cap of $21,000,000.

A developer identified as Peter answered aldermen's questions about scope and schedule, saying site work could begin in September or October and that paperwork remained. Peter cited past local projects: a garage at Langer Mill that accommodated about 1,700 cars and was completed in about 10–11 months, and a Derry garage project described as about 300 cars with an estimated cost of roughly $24,000,000. He told the board the third level for the Manchester site could be brought in under $21,000,000.

The motion before the board read (as moved in public): to authorize the mayor and staff to negotiate an amended contract with NeighborWorks and LNG for construction of a third level of the garage, not to exceed $21,000,000. The motion was moved by Alderman Long and seconded by Alderman Sapienza. By voice vote the board approved the motion; the presiding officer declared "Ayes have it."

Separately, the board authorized entry into nonpublic session under RSA 91-A:3 II(d) to discuss property acquisition, sale or lease of real or personal property (the Pearl Street lot and related lease/contract matters were explicitly named as the reason). The motion to enter nonpublic was moved by Alderman Theriault and seconded by Alderman Vinson; the board approved the nonpublic entry by roll-call vote.

After returning from the nonpublic session, the board voted to seal the nonpublic minutes and then adjourned. The motion to seal minutes was moved by Alderman Barry, seconded by Alderman O'Neil, and passed by voice vote.

Nut graf: The public approvals allow the mayor and staff to negotiate a contract amendment that would expand an existing parking project, with a negotiated cap of $21 million and an anticipated construction-start window this fall; lease and property details will be handled in nonpublic session because they involve terms that "would likely benefit a party or parties whose interests are adverse to those of the general community," the board said, citing RSA 91-A:3 II(d).

Ending: The board did not vote in public on a final contract or financing plan; authorization was limited to negotiation. Details about the amended contract, potential amendments, final price or financing, and any required approvals will be returned to the board for public votes when negotiable terms are finalized.