Graham, Donna
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From: Erika Stokes
Sent: Sunday, February 27, 2022 5:02 PM
To: Board of Aldermen
Subject: Barriers - A Bad Idea for Safety, Business, and Residents
CAUTION: This email came from outside of the organization. Do not click links/open attachments if source is
unknown.
To the Board of Aldermen:
|! am a long-time Nashua resident and small business owner. While | do not currentiy own a business located on Main
Street, | did several years ago, and so | am personally familiar with the problems that the barriers cause for businesses
located there. In fact, the already seriously problematic parking issue that existed way back in 2005 is the sole reason
why my business is not located on Main Street anymore. The barriers present an issue for safety, business, and
residents’ convenience.
From a safety perspective, the barriers limit the ability of first responder vehicles to safely and expeditiously travel
through the Main Street area. The ability for building occupants to safely exit and disperse from the area of an
emergency like a fire is also of great concern.
Many current Main Street business owners have voiced distress over the access restrictions that the barriers put in place
for customers who wish to visit their businesses. The barriers present, as their name suggests, a serious barrier to access
for individuals who are not athletic enough to clamber over them, and who must instead walk a much longer distance
around them than they would otherwise have had to do. This applies not only to people we consider “disabled” in the
traditional sense, but also to individuals who are still able to get about town unaided despite having mobility issues
when presented with longer walks. These are the very individuals who are most inclined to shop from small stores
rather than big box stores which require a more vigorous trek.
With the lingering death of “mall culture” in America, and in New Hampshire, we have a unique opportunity at this time
to promote the revitalization of small business on Main Street. However, the barriers create a serious impediment to
this potential growth and improvement.
As a small business owner currently located on Amherst Street, | often speak with new customers who come in and say,
“| drive by all the time and see your sign, | finally decided to come in!” Visibility is a major boon for business growth,
However, Nashua residents are now conscientiously avoiding Main Street due to the congestion and inconvenience, and
instead choosing to drive around the entire city center on the highway when their destination does not require them to
pass through Main Street. While | could name several businesses that have been on Main Street for many years, |
couldn’t tell you the names of any that have moved or started up there in the past 18 months, because | have
completely avoided the area during that time.
Outdoor dining is fine, but there is no need for a business to expand outward onto the street. If a business requires that
much room, it’s time to relocate, rather than occupy taxpayer property that has been designated for travel.
| hope that you will take these concerns into consideration in deciding whether to continue the unprofitable, anti-
business, anti-community practice of the barriers.
Sincerely,
