UREAN
Ffollis and Main
Street: The region’
100% Corner
DESIGN ASSOCIATES
this intersection. A series of distinct, 4-
to 6-story, mixed-use buildings wold cre-
ate a center to the Downtown. They
buildings would anchor both ends of
Main Street by creating a strong center.
and transform an anonymous intersec-
tion into the region’s symbolic heart.
URBAN DESIGN ASSOCIATES
Benches
Several benches along
Main Street are poorly
located. Benches that
face traffic or are located
in the middle of
sidewalks are rarely
used, Where possible,
benches should either be
paired, facing each
other, or they should be
located with their backs
to storefronts.
Diagrams
Inappropriate bench
location (below left}
Appropriate bench
location (below right}
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
UR EAN DESIGN assocrates Nashua Downtown Master Plan
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
UR EAN DESIGN assocrates Nashua Downtown Master Plan
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.
