By THE CITY OF NASHUA Tae Bota cie*
Offtce af Econom Development
TO: Board of Aldermen
FROM: Tim Cummings, Economic Development Director
Ce: Caroline Frantz, Architect - Marvel
DATE: April 13, 2022
RE: Communication On Keefe Auditorium — Relative to Elm Street Middle School Feasibility
Study
Purpose
This memo is to provide notice and ensure the Board of Aldermen and other key stakeholders understand the
specific Keefe Auditorium issues.
Background Context
As you know, the Elm Street Middle School is slated to be turned back to the City of Nashua in the spring/summer
of 2024 once its educational purpose ceases. My office has been charged with developing a plan for the property. In
that vein, there is a feasibility study underway to assess what the community would like to see occur on the
approximate 9 acres of land. There was a community meeting held on March 30" where more than 75 members of
the public participated to provide their input and feedback. This is the start of the community engagement process.
One of the fundamental tenants starting out has been this notion that preserving the Edmund Keefe Auditorium
should be a priority, because of its community value. The Keefe Auditorium was constructed in 1936 as part of the
grand building of the Elm Street School. The Keefe Auditorium is Nashua’s largest indoor performance venue (and
largest auditorium in the state of New Hampshire}. The Auditorium of Classical-Revival architecture and seats some
1,200 patrons.
Enclosed you will find a document that summarizes the points and observations made on March 30" for your
consideration. As you can see, the preservation of the Keefe continues to be highlighted.
Discussion
Although we do not know if preserving the Keefe Auditorium as a priority will continue to prevail, I believe it
incumbent to make you and others aware of the financial consequences and development implications of this
decision.
The planning team is studying three paths forward: 1. Renovation of the Keefe Auditorium, adaptive reuse of the
historic portion of the Elm Street School building (excluding the additions), and new development, 2. Renovation of
only the Keefe Auditorium and new development on the balance of the site, and 3. New development on the entirety
of the site. Assuming the Keefe Auditorium remains, a few major capital investments are going to be necessary to
preserve the building and to keep it operational. Minimum required investments include significant building
systems work, an expansion to accommodate a new lobby and bathrooms, and accessibility improvements. These
capital costs are significant and therefore you should be aware of them to allow your feedback to inform the
planning study.
Now, there may be ways to mitigate some of these costs, such as using the future tax dollars generated from the
adjunct new development to help pay for the upgrades or conversely maybe a Developer will want to maintain the
existing building and would be willing to make such improvements or contribute to the preservation of the Keefe.
Over the coming months some of these ambiguous questions or details will become clearer and some unanswered
questions will be addressed. Ultimately, a management and operational plan should be developed and understanding
these capital investments is paramount. Thank you.
229 Main Street, Suite 234 » Nashua, New Hampshire 03060 * Phone (603) 589-3106
