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UR EAN DESIGN assocrates Nashua Downtown Master Plan

I

Overview of the Process

Public Meetings
The Master Plan Team
met with the citizens of
Nashua to gather input
and learn of their goals

and vision for the

City’s future.

PROMPTED BY A RECOMMENDATION in the Nashua 2000 Mas- 19
ter Plan, the city of Nashua commissioned Urban Design
Associates (UDA) to prepare a Downtown Master Plan in the
summer of 2002. This Plan, is an update of Nashua 2000 and

will be based on public input, will act as a framework for future
development and decision making and will provide guidance to

the City in their efforts to:

1. Seek and evaluate development proposals, and

2 Prioritize public infrastructure investments.

The UDA team consisted of Urban Design Associates
(lead firm), Glatting Jackson Kercher Anglin Lopez Rinehart
(transportation planning) and Stuart Patz and Associates (mar-
ket analysis). In addition, the UDA team relied heavily on the
technical, institutional and organizational assistance of the
City’s Community Development Division and Public Works
Division. The views and knowledge of city staff were integral
in crafting this plan. Finally, and most importantly, the team
relied on spirited and enthusiastic input from Nashua’s resi-
dents and stakeholders.

Citizen participation, central to the planning process, was

strong. In an effort to maximize public input, the planning

team cast a wide net of outreach opportunities including inter-

Nashua Downtown Master Plan

views, focus groups meetings, public
meetings and open houses, culminating

ina public design charrette.

The UDA team began the planning
process with a two-day data gathering
trip to Nashua in August 2002. During
this visit, the team conducted focus
group meetings and interviews. In addi-
tion, the UDA team photographed the
Downtown, and conducted site recon-
naissance in order to become familiar
with the region, Nashua, and especially
its Downtown. At the same time, data
was collected on land use, zoning, market
research, and transportation. Addition-
ally, the team documented precedents
from similar Merrimack Valley river
towns. (Lowell, Lawrence, and Haver-
hill.)

In September 2002, the UDA team
traveled to Nashua for additional meet-
ings. The purpose of this trip was to con-
duct a public meeting and additional
focus group meetings.

The data gathering phase resulted in

an extensive set of UDA X-Ray drawings
and precedent drawings that proved

instrumental throughout the process.

The second phase of the project began
with a work session in UDA’: office in
Pittsburgh. The UDA team and the City
staff met to prepare for the design
charette. One result of the work session
was a set of design principles.

The majority of Phase Two occurred
during a week-long design charrette con-
ducted on Main Street in Nashua at the
former Goodale’s Bike Shop. During the
week, the focus groups reconvened, the
Steering Committee met twice, and open
houses were held. Concurrent with these
meetings, the UDA team developed
plans, tested ideas, and continuously
revised and refined designs according to
ongoing stakeholder and citizen input.

Phase Two of the process culminated
in a public meeting on Thursday night at
which the design for Downtown Nashua
were presented and additional citizen

input was collected.

Based upon feedback from the public
meeting and the Steering Committee,
and the city staff, the UDA team pre-
pared a draft plan for review and com-
ment. This plan, upon adoption by the
City, will become the blueprint for
Downtown Nashua’s development over

the next ten years.

1) Negotiate for the acquisition of real property or easements, and sign options and | or purchase
and sales agreements to acquire said property or easements subject to final approval by the Board
of Aldermen;

2) Enter into contracts for the construction of any of the facilities included in the development
program

3) Negotiate and sign, upon the approval of the Board of Aldermen, any contracts relative to the design,
engineering, construction or operations of any phase or component of the activities proposed under
this Plan;

4) Apply for, and accept and execute, upon the approval of the Board of Aldermen, grants from any
private or public organization or corporation, or from any state or federal agency for any work
associated with this Plan;

5) Negotiate any Development Agreements and present the Agreements to the Board of Aldermen for
final approval;

6) Certify to the Board of Aldermen, for acquisition through eminent domain, property that cannot be
acquired by negotiation, but is required for implementation of the Plan; and

7) Certify to the Board of Aldermen the amount of funds, if any, which must be raised throughthe sale
of bonds to finance the activities associated with this Plan.

8) Engagein any other administrative or ad ministerial duties necessary for implementation of the
development plan and programas outlined.

The Board of Aldermen may grant through an affirmative vote of the Board of Aldermen, additional
powers, as deemed necessary and appropriate, in order to implement the goals, purpose, work and
improvements outlined in this Plan or any future amendment.

Advisory Board

In accordance with 162-K: 14, the Board of Aldermen through this Development Program and Financing
Plan shall appoint the following Advisory Board Members: Managing Partner of Lansing Melbourne
Group or his/her designee (Peter Flotz), Chair of Performing Arts Center Steering Committee (Rich
Lannan), the Director of Economic Development (Tim Cummings), the Director of Community
Development (Sarah Marchant) and the Treasurer (David Fredette) all for a one year term.

After the initial one year term members of the Advisory board shall be appointed by the Mayor and
confirmed by the Board of Aldermen, for one year terms or until their successors are qualified, to advise
the Mayor and district administrator on planning, construction and implementation of the development
program and on the maintenance and operation of the district after the program has been completed.

The district administrator shall consult withthe advisory board at least forty-five (45) days before
implementation of a phase of the development program and the advisory board may appealto the
Board of Aldermen concerning a district administrator decision no later than thirty (30) days before a
phase is to be implemented. Decisions of the District Administrator shall not be overturned except for
abuse of discretion.

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AnnualReport

Pursuant to RSA 162-K:11, the City, by and through the Administrator of the District, in consultation with
the Advisory Board, shall prepare an annual report containing the following:

° A Narrative Report on the status of theimplementation of the Plan and a summary of
the work that has been completed within the previous year;

° The amount and source of revenue of the District;

° The amount and purpose of expenditures;

° The amount of principal and interest on any outstanding bonded indebtedness;

° The original assessed value of the District;

° The captured assessed value retained by the District;

° The tax increments received; and

° Any additional information necessary todemonstrate compliance with the TIF Plan

This is understood through an affirmative vote by the Board of Aldermen to Adopt the provisions of
Chapter 162-K on November 24, 1998

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Appendix A

District Boundary

a

120

TIF DISTRICT

240

Feet
480

Appendix B

2003 Downtown Master Plan

Nashua/New Hampshire

Nashua Downtown Master Plan

Preparedby URBAN DESIGN ASSOCIATES

Prepared for
City of Nashua, New Hampshire

May 2003

URBAN DESIGN ASSOCIATES

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Executive Summary I
A Vision for the Next Five Years

Site Analysis 9
I X Rays
1m ——_—- Precedents

1m Historic Analysis

The Planning Process 18
I Overview of the Process
1m = Summary of Interviews and
Focus Groups

m1 Urban Design Principles

Market Strategies 26
I Economic Development Strategies
1 Residential Strategies

m Retail and Entertainment Strategies

Initiative Areas and Opportunites 33
I Introduction
i —-Riverfront West
i —- Riverfront East
iv Railroad Square
v Main Street North
vi Main Street South

Frameworks 71
I Streets: Access and Connectivity
u ‘Trails

m Design Guidelines

Implementation 90
I Phasing

UR EAN DESIGN assocrates Nashua Downtown Master Plan

un — Costs

Appendices (under separate cover)
I Transportation

nm Market Analysis