Agenda

UREAN

DESIGN ASSOCIATES

Streetscaping

Maintenance and upgrades to the
streetscape of Main Street is critical.
Begun in the early 1980's, the streetscape
program has been a great success. The
comfortably wide sidewalks, warm red
bricks, and the canopy of street trees cre-
ate a pedestrian environment that has
been instrumental in Main Street’s resur-

gence over the past 15 years. However,

Nashua Downtown Master Plan

some sidewalk bricks have been dis-

UR EAN DESIGN assocrates Nashua Downtown Master Plan

v. Main Street North

MAIN STREET NORTH 18 healthy. Also referred to as “walking 52
Main Street”, there are almost no retail vacancies, sidewalks are
active, and there is a vibrant mix of retail, offices and restau-

rants. Behind Main Street on both sides, however, significant
attention is required. The seam between the neighborhoods

and Main Street North is ragged. Spring Street and Elm Street

are characterized by disinvestment, surface parking lots, and

DESIGN ASSOCIATES

Development Opportunities
Most of the buildings on Railroad
Square are worthy of preservation. While
several buildings may be renovated, one
site is identified for new construction. It
is important that new construction as
well as renovation adhere to strict archi-
tectural design guidelines, based on
Nashua’s historic architectural traditions.

The most important renovation proj-
ect will be the Laton Hotel. Specifically,
the striking double-level porch should be
restored

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Iv Railroad Square

RAILROAD SQUARE 18 AN urban design landmark located at the 50
confluence of four regional arterials. With four high-volume
arterials converging into a small area bound on one side by

water, Railroad Square performs admirably, as it delicately bal-
ances the heavy impacts of regional through-traffic on all four
arterials with an environment that is surprisingly pedestrian-
friendly. The challenge of Railroad Square will be to establish

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Existing rail right of 49
way behind Cattleman’s

(top)

Proposed rail right of
way, redevelopment
and trail connection.
(bottom)

DESIGN ASSOCIATES

A new parking garage may have to be
built to support this facility. A site along
Spring Street, just south of Temple
Street, is recommended. The BAE Sys-
tems parking lot, located on the north
side of the river should be considered a
parking resource for the Performing Arts
Center. If the dam structure is modified
to contain a pedestrian walk, the BAE
Parking lot will be less than a five minute

walk from the Performing Art Center.

Nashua Downtown Master Plan

Temple Street Neighborhood

DESIGN ASSOCIATES

park system and regional trail system
should be developed at this location.

URBAN DESIGN ASSOCIATES

Riverfront East Park

A new riverfront park is proposed along
both sides of the river. The park will be
narrow and linear. It will be active with
trails but not with recreation areas. The
dam and the railroad bridge should be
developed with pedestrian and bike
trails. The trail on the south side of the
Nashua River should be improved with
additional connections to an extended
Park Street and selective clearing of trees

and shrubbery.

Nashua Downtown Master Plan

UR EAN DESIGN assocrates Nashua Downtown Master Plan

There are, however, similarities. Like 45
Riverfront West, Riverfront East is pro-
posed to become a single place on both
sides of the river with the river as the
focus. The current trails are discontinu-
ous, inaccessible, and perceived as dan-

gerous. Many of the buildings back onto

the river with parking lots, service alleys,

and backyards.

Initiatives

UR EAN DESIGN assocrates Nashua Downtown Master Plan

III R verfront East RIVERFRONT EAST PRESENTS A DIFFERENT experience and
opportunity than Riverfront West. The riverbanks are steeper,
and the river is more narrow. The crashing waterfall of River-

front East contrasts with the tranquility of the wetland pockets

at Riverfront West.

Riverfront East