DERRY — A plan to widen a portion of Route 28 may put the squeeze on a popular local eatery.
The Pinkerton Tavern on Manchester Road is one of several businesses sitting in the path of a town plan to widen Route 28 to five lanes north of the Tsienneto Road/Crystal Avenue intersection.
For the 265-year-old Pinkerton Tavern, the plan may mean the end of the restaurant's life in Derry.
In 2006, the Town Council approved a tax increment funding (TIF) district to address Derry's commitment to economic development in that area of town. It's the same area where Wal-Mart once proposed constructing a Supercenter store on Ashleigh Drive. That deal fell through in 2008, but plans to widen that stretch of road continued in an effort to bring new business to town.
But preparing for possible economic growth has put some local businesses in the line of fire.
In January, councilors approved a motion to acquire properties along the stretch of Route 28 affected by the widening plan. Some would be taken as permanent rights of way, and others would be needed for slopes or driveway easements.
Months ago, director of public works Michael Fowler told councilors options were discussed about how to handle the Pinkerton Tavern. Those options included a possible move of the historic building.
Other land acquisitions would prove to have less of an impact to standing structures, Fowler said. But the longtime restaurant stands almost on top of the road.
Other businesses falling into the project's direct path include Allen Motors and Dave Allen Sales and Service.
Last fall, as negotiations continued with landowners, Troy Allen said the Route 28 plan would put a sidewalk close to his front auto display area.
Next door, Dave Allen said the plans would move a sidewalk about 37 feet closer to his building.
"It's going to happen one way or another, and I think I can work with it," Allen said.
But it's the plight of the Pinkerton Tavern that's on the minds of many as the project moves forward. A Facebook page to "Save the Pinkerton Tavern" appeared recently.
Guy Streitburger and Jen Lutzen have operated the Pinkerton Tavern for eight years. Although Streitburger declined to comment on the details of talks between his restaurant and the town before final plans were in place, he did say he was proud of what the Pinkerton Tavern stood for in the community and all it did to help others.
"We love the town of Derry," he said. "We've embraced the town of Derry."
He added the business was started with a lot of heart and he is proud of all that the restaurant has done.
Fowler said he is aware of the controversy and uncertainty surrounding the future of the tavern, and said details are still being worked out with the owners.
"We are still putting together the final offer," he said. "We are trying to be as equitable as possible. That's our goal, to work with everybody."
Fowler said the town works hard to balance the business of progress and the town's historical integrity. He said the Route 28 project would benefit Derry in a big way, as thousands of vehicles use that corridor on a daily basis and the potential for economic growth is positive.
The project is set to go out for bid in mid-May, Fowler said, with work scheduled to begin by July.
