Agenda

URBAN DESIGN ASSOCIATES

and distinguishing it from other cities in

the region.

Initiatives

Nashua has been successful in building
on its strengths and finding ways to
bring private, locally-based efforts
together to create a whole that is greater
than any single part. Main Street North
between City Hall and the River is an

example.

A vibrant Main Street has been created
by
- public investments in streetscaping that

improve the pedestrian experience

- private building renovations that build

UR EAN DESIGN assocrates Nashua Downtown Master Plan

dents, stakeholders, investors, and leaders
of the City. The public involvement
process included twenty focus groups,
three public meetings, and a four day
public, open design charette. In sum,
over 200 individuals took part in the
process.

UR EAN DESIGN assocrates Nashua Downtown Master Plan

3 Representing a consensus vision Concept Plan

for Nashua’s future. The ideas and Main Street will
spirit of this document are a direct Become a vibrant spine
a : of miced use activities
outgrowth of the intensity and pas- ‘ % .
\ = connecting the natural

sion Nashua’s citizens have for their 4 en
; resources of Salmon

Downtown. me Creek and the Nashua
Mi River,

The Master Plan

The foundation of the Plan is public

DESIGN ASSOCIATES

Nashua Downtown Master

the Mill to the “South Commons.” The
first residential neighborhood was estab-
lished between the South Commons and
the Mill. On any given day, one could
walk from the Commons, to work, to
church, and to the stores lining Main
Street.

URBAN DESIGN ASSOCIATES

A Vision for the
Next Five Years

Nashua Downtown Master Plan

Building upon existing
investments and
branching out from
Main Street, Nashua
will transform itself

from having a notable

Main Street to being a
great Downtown.

Introduction

UR EAN DESIGN assocrates Nashua Downtown Master Plan

Executive Summary

Nashua Downtown Master Plan

Honorable Bernard A. Streeter, Jr.
Mayor, City of Nashua

Community Development Division

Staff

Katherine E. Hersh

Director, Community Development
Division

Daniel R. DeSantis

Director, Office of Economic Development

Alan S. Manoian
Downtown Development Specialist

Board of Aldermen
Steven A. Bolton
Frederick Britton

Lori Cardin

Scott A. Cote

David W. Deane
Robert A. Dion

Kevin E. Gage

UR EAN DESIGN assocrates Nashua Downtown Master Plan

un — Costs

Appendices (under separate cover)
I Transportation

nm Market Analysis

URBAN DESIGN ASSOCIATES

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Executive Summary I
A Vision for the Next Five Years

Site Analysis 9
I X Rays
1m ——_—- Precedents

1m Historic Analysis

The Planning Process 18
I Overview of the Process
1m = Summary of Interviews and
Focus Groups

m1 Urban Design Principles

Market Strategies 26
I Economic Development Strategies
1 Residential Strategies

m Retail and Entertainment Strategies

Nashua/New Hampshire

Nashua Downtown Master Plan

Preparedby URBAN DESIGN ASSOCIATES

Prepared for
City of Nashua, New Hampshire

May 2003