Committee Approved Hampton I-95 Liquor Store Project

The Long Range Capital Planning and Utilization Committee greenlit a plan for two new state liquor outlets in Hampton.

Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Gambling

Committee Approved Hampton I-95 Liquor Store Project

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The Long Range Capital Planning and Utilization Committee has unanimously approved a redevelopment plan for I-95 service centers in Hampton. The project, led by Dick Anagnost and Global Partners, involves constructing two new liquor and wine outlets.

Why it matters

The state aims to modernize aging rest stop facilities while securing a long-term revenue stream through a 35-year lease agreement. The project is expected to generate $1 million in annual lease income for the state.

The 35-year lease features a $550,000 guaranteed minimum base rent for the first year, which will escalate by 3% annually. The developer is also set to pay $0.05 per gallon of fuel sold and 5% of revenue from electric vehicle charging stations.

The players

Long Range Capital Planning and Utilization Committee

This is a state body responsible for overseeing capital projects and infrastructure investments in New Hampshire.

New Hampshire Liquor Commission

This state agency manages the operation and regulation of liquor sales and retail outlets across the state.

Dick Anagnost

He is a prominent developer involved in the successful bid for the I-95 service center redevelopment project.

Common Man Roadside

This company is an active litigant in Merrimack County Superior Court challenging its disqualification from the state bidding process.

Kelly Ayotte

As the Governor of New Hampshire, she and the Executive Council will review the project for final approval in December 2026.

The details

The developer is responsible for designing, financing, building, and maintaining the new service centers to replace current locations. While the project has received committee approval, it faces a legal challenge from Common Man Roadside, which was disqualified from the bidding process due to financial concerns.

Timeline

  1. Late August 2026: Common Man Roadside filed a lawsuit against the NHLC.

  2. September 28, 2026: Committee approved the liquor store redevelopment project.

  3. December 2026: Governor and Executive Council to provide final approval.

  4. June 2028: Proposed completion date for the northbound building.

  5. December 2028: Proposed completion date for the southbound building.

Roadmap

The project adheres to the state's established Request for Qualifications and Request for Proposal process for public-private partnerships. This redevelopment follows the procurement pattern set by standard bidding protocols for state infrastructure improvements.

Residents and travelers can expect updated facilities at the I-95 rest stops as the construction timeline progresses through 2028. The long-term lease ensures that the state will maintain revenue from the high-traffic corridor, which experiences significant seasonal volume spikes.

The takeaway

Large-scale infrastructure projects involving state-run retail operations often face lengthy legal challenges from excluded bidders. The financial success of such sites relies heavily on steady traffic flow to ensure minimum rent requirements are met.

What happens next

The project will move to the Governor and Executive Council for a final approval vote in December 2026.

Further reading

Learn more about the local industry at Hampton Gambling.

Source note: This article includes information reported by InDepthNH.

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