Construction underway for Dollar General - By Elizabeth Richards

Challenges arose during the proposal for development of a 9,100 square-foot building to house a Dollar General. Now, the project is moving forward, and projected to be completed in autumn of 2016.
 

An initial design for the building was rejected by the planning board early last summer due to concerns that the proposed design would spread North Windham style development south along the artery. Dollar General re-submitted a new design that featured a pitched roof and a set of “faux” windows that complied with the town’s building design standards requiring New England style architecture. This application was approved in a 3-2 vote in July of 2015.

Another potential glitch in the project arose when the Fire Department recommended an extension of the water main to the property for fire protection. This extension was cost prohibitive at $100 to $110 per foot, a final cost of between $160,000 to $180,000. As an alternative, the developer proposed use of a cistern, which would reduce the cost to approximately $20,000. Planning board minutes from July 27, 2015 reflect that Fire Chief Brent Libby stated in an email that a cistern was an acceptable option, as long as it was properly designed, maintained and certified.

Construction on the project at 367 Roosevelt Trail is currently underway. Heather McNally, Director of Code Enforcement and Zoning Regulations for the Town of Windham said that currently, all foundation inspections have been completed. The next phase and inspection will be the framing inspection. “We look forward to them opening, and they’re moving forward pretty quickly,” McNally said.

Nolan Miles, internal/external communications coordinator for Dollar General Corporation said that based on the current timeline, which could be altered by construction progress, a grand opening is anticipated in mid-fall of 2016.

Miles said that in choosing new locations, the company seeks places that offer customers an easy and convenient shopping choice. “We also take demographic trends, competitive factors, traffic patterns and community concerns into consideration. This was a great new location for Dollar General,” he said. “We look forward to offering Cumberland County residents a convenient location to purchase products that are frequently used and replenished, such as food, snacks, health and beauty aids, cleaning supplies, basic apparel, housewares and seasonal items at low everyday prices.”

The store will have approximately 6 to 10 employees, he said, and he encouraged anyone interested in employment to apply online at www.dollargeneral.com/careers.