Manchester Mayor Forms Task Force On Sununu Youth Services Center Property

MANCHESTER, NH — Mayor Jay Ruais announced the creation of the Sununu Youth Services Center Property Task Force Thursday, a community group formed by the Mayor’s Office as the State of New Hampshire prepares to issue a Request for Proposals for the property’s sale and redevelopment.

The task force is intended to give the city meaningful input into the property’s future disposition. The group will focus on transportation and traffic impacts, land use compatibility, neighborhood character, infrastructure, economic development opportunities, historic preservation and the city’s long-term planning objectives.

The state owns the property and the city has no authority over its sale or disposition. Still, the city described the process as an opportunity for residents and other stakeholders to share input and feedback before the state moves forward.

As outlined by the Mayor’s Office, the task force will work with residents, neighborhood stakeholders, city leadership and state officials to identify community priorities and provide recommendations meant to help inform the RFP process. The task force will also hold public Community Forums to gather feedback on expectations for the site. The group will incorporate feedback collected during the 2025 Zoning Rewrite Town Halls. That information will be compiled into a formal report and released publicly, outlining community perspectives on the property’s future.

The task force will remain active until the property’s disposition is complete. Its role is to serve as a community group during the planning, proposal and redevelopment process.

In a statement, Ruais said, “Since the State began the process of selling the SYSC property, I made a commitment to ensure the City of Manchester would have a seat at the table as decisions are made. The creation of this Task Force delivers on that promise. It ensures that as the State moves forward with the eventual sale of this property, Manchester’s voice will be heard and our residents’ interests will be represented every step of the way.”

Members of the Task Force are:

• Jay Ruais, Mayor
• June Trisciani, Alderman At-Large
• Bryce Kaw-uh, Alderman Ward 1
• Norm Vincent, Alderman Ward 11
• Mike Reed, Realtor
• Joshua Wright, Ward 1 Resident
• Brad Cook, Attorney
• Mark MacKenzie, State Representative (District 40/Ward 1, Abutter of Property)
• Jeff Myrdek, Manchester Historic Association Representative
• Gary Hunter, Direct Abutter
• Marcy Lyman, Natural Resources Consultant

A timeline for the public forums was not included in the announcement.