® THE CITY OF NASHUA "Fe Gate City
Office of Economic Deveioprrent
TO: Board of Aldermen
FROM: Tim Cummings, Economic Development Director
Ce: Caroline Frantz, Architect - Marvel
DATE: June 6, 2022
RE: Follow Up Memo # Communication On Keefe Auditorium — Relative to Elm Street
Middle School Feasibility Study
Request
I am requesting a meeting to discuss the Keefe Auditorium.
Enclosure
For your review, I am enclosing a memo submitted to the Board of Aldermen on April 13" where |
outline the Keefe Auditorium circumstances.
Background
Since the memo provided on April 13" the architectural and consulting team continue to work on schemes
that both include and not include the Keefe Auditorium. To that end, I would like to have a discussion and
provide data on this important subject, because of the development implications and financial
consequences of this decision.
It is not clear to me whether preserving the Keefe Auditorium will remain a priority, I believe it
incumbent to assess the situation and provide for a public discussion on this matter so you and others are
aware of the financial consequences and development implications of this decision.
At this time, my overall sense is that the Keefe Auditorium is a community benefit and although it may
need, some investment and repair the positive impacts it provides could far outpace a decision to
demolish it.
If we were to use a replacement cost type of assessment to value. If the City of Nashua were to look to
replace the current, Keefe Auditorium it would be an approximate cost of $30.0 to $40.0 million and
when you look at it from this prism spending a few million dollars on deferred capital maintenance is a
much more economical and fiscally prudent approach. If the community sees the value in preserving the
Keefe Auditorium, which is the question at hand.
I would welcome a discussion to distill whether my thought process is accurate and the city wants to
continue providing an auditorium in the size and nature as the Keefe Auditorium.
Thank you.
229 Main Street, Suite 234 * Nashua, New Hampshire 03060 « Phone (603) 589-3106
