Efforts are underway to rejuvenate a key downtown property

WHITEFIELD — Efforts are underway to rejuvenate a key downtown property. Harrison Kanzler, executive director of Affordable Housing, Education and Development (AHEAD), told the Select Board on Oct. 23 that his organization is working to acquire 12 King Sq. According to Kanzler, AHEAD aims to “fully restore and revitalize” the three-story mixed-use building, which is currently on the market for $159,000. As part of those efforts, Kanzler asked the Select Board to apply, on behalf of AHEAD, for InvestNH demolition grants. The Select Board agreed to do so. The grant would go towards “substantial demolition” of the 113-year-old building’s interior. It would not require the town to commit matching funds. Reached on Monday, Kanzler explained that AHEAD has a memorandum of understanding with the current owners of 12 King St. to purchase the building, which is now vacant. Once the funding is assembled, AHEAD plans to reconfigure the upper two floors from three to “four or five” apartment units. The ground floor would remain a commercial space, and the building exterior would be completely redone.