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City council accepts $859,689 state grant to replace Steeplegate Mall sewer pump station
Summary
Concord accepted $859,689 in grant funding from the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs to replace a municipal sewer pump station at Steeplegate Mall, increasing pumping capacity and reducing future borrowing needs.
The Concord City Council on Sept. 8 approved a resolution to appropriate $859,689 in grant funds from the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs to replace the municipal sewer pump station at Steeplegate Mall. City Manager Walsh explained the grant will expand capacity and reduce the amount the city must bond for the larger sewer improvements project.
City Manager Walsh said Concord was named a "housing champion" by the state in December 2024, which enabled the city to apply for state infrastructure grants. He told the council the new pump station will increase capacity "from 91,000 gallons a day to 347,000 gallons per day" for areas around Steeplegate Mall and related sewer-main work was needed after zoning changes in 2019 that allowed residential development in the Gateway Performance District.
The manager said the state award required an executed agreement and that the governor and council approved the award in June; staff recommended appropriating the funds so work can proceed. Walsh said the grant "will actually then reduce the amount of bonds that we need to borrow and actually help reduce the cost to the rate payers for the sewer costs." He also said the Water Division and General Services will manage the pump station portion of the project.
No members of the public spoke during the hearing and the council voted to approve the appropriation. The city will execute required grant agreements and move forward with design and construction activities under the Water Division's management.
Questions from councilors during the meeting focused on whether the funds were already available and whether the grant relates to a larger $26 million sewer improvement program; Walsh confirmed the award is part of the same overall project and will be applied to the pump-station portion.
The council approved the resolution by voice vote. Staff said they will return with contract documents and appropriate project details as the procurement and construction steps proceed.
