Council authorizes sale of second and third floors of Beacon Street parking garage amid public questions about process

The Laconia City Council on June 23 voted to authorize the city manager to sign documents finalizing the sale of the second and third floors of the Beacon Street East parking garage.

City Manager Kirk Biotti told the council the first floor of the building is privately owned and that the city had received a written offer for the upper floors; the council approved a motion authorizing the manager to sign the purchase documents. “We have worked through our purchase and sales, but I can't sign anything and move that sale until your approval,” Biotti said.

During the public hearing John Moriarty and Richard Holmesy, both downtown property owners and residents, spoke to the council. Holmesy said he had previously been the high bidder at $260,000 when the property was offered, and reported the earlier high bid was rejected. He urged the council to consider directing any proceeds toward city needs such as street paving, youth programs or mental‑health support for public safety staff. Holmesy also raised concerns that the city might transfer the property for a nominal price to another private party and asked whether ongoing tax revenue would change if ownership shifted.

A separate public commenter said his written offer of $60,000 included a plan to build affordable rental housing on the upper floors and to keep the second floor available as free parking; he told the council he would leave parking free and hoped to convert the upper floor into affordable units. The speaker said structural and remediation costs had been investigated by the city over prior years.

Councilors voted by roll call to authorize the city manager to sign all documents relating to the sale. The vote was recorded as five affirmative, zero negative.