Nashua Downtown Master Plan
mentally and be primarily driven by the
private sector. A public streetscape pro-
gram is recommended however whole-
sale public sector acquisition and
redevelopment is not necessary.
UREAN
DESIGN ASSOCIATES
Nashua Downtown Master Plan
Main Street South to avoid Main Street
altogether. By removing as much local
traffic and curb cut access from Main
Street as possible, Main Street can func-
tion more effectively as a regional
through route.
Salmon Brook Park
Located south of Main Street Market-
place, Salmon Brook Park is the southern
Gateway to Downtown. The park can
create a “green” gateway.
UR EAN DESIGN assocrates Nashua Downtown Master Plan
ating visual interest and subtle cues to
drivers that Main Street is an environ-
ment that balances the needs of automo-
biles and pedestrians. All street
furnishings (benches, light poles, trash
receptacles) should be coordinated
through a carefully selected palate of
materials and colors.
Circulation and Parking
UR EAN DESIGN assocrates Nashua Downtown Master Plan
Existing Condi- 66
tions of Main
Street South:
Sidewalks are located
directly adjacent to
moving lanes of traffic.
The lack of street trees
and presence of
overhead utilities creates
a dangerous and
unattractive pedestrian
environment.
(top two images}
Proposed Plan and
Section for Main
Street South:
URBAN DESIGN ASSOCIATES
erty would be required in front of most
properties to create sidewalks and a
planting zone. Buildings between Otter-
son and Hollis should be set back
approximately 15” the sidewalk to pre-
serve the residential/institutional fabric.
Buildings between Otterson and Salmon
Brook should be built to the sidewalk.
The streetscaping program will
improve the overall pedestrian and vehic-
Nashua Downtown Master Plan
UR EAN DESIGN assocrates Nashua Downtown Master Plan
Streetscape Program
‘The Master Plan recommends the City
undertake a comprehensive streetscape
and road improvement program for
Main Street between Hollis Street and
Allds Street. Creating a high quality
pedestrian environment does not require
major traffic flow modifications. The
Master Plan proposes preserving the cur-
rent lane configuration. The moving and 64
turning lanes that exist today, will
remain. However, the curb should be
UR EAN DESIGN assocrates Nashua Downtown Master Plan
Main Street South can become an
important part of the overall Downtown
experience, its retail strategy, and its cir-
culation and park system. The half-mile
length of Main Street South should be
developed as a series of spatial experi-
ences varying one’s perception of the 63
long straight road, not as a single mono-
lithic avenue. The initiatives contained in
the following pages develop Main Street
South as a progression of unique places
UR EAN DESIGN assocrates Nashua Downtown Master Plan
vi Main Street South
UREAN
DESIGN ASSOCIATES
A streetscaping program will create an
appropriate setting for the five public
buildings located on Spring Street.
Also, four additional sites along
Spring Street have been identified for
public buildings. One of the sites could
be used for the relocation of Saint
Patrick’s Gymnasium from Main Street.
Moving the gymnasium to this site
maintains the facility's adjacency to the
parish but rebuilds it on a more appro-
ptiate site and frees up the Main Street
URBAN DESIGN ASSOCIATES
Parking Strategy
Upon completion of the
proposed garages, the
Downtown core will be
well served with
parking, as denoted by
five minute walking
radii. (left)
A well-defined parking
lot in the beart of
Lowell, Massachusetts
illustrates that small,
surface parking areas
can be tucked in and
around buildings and
landscaped creating a
pleasant street wall.
(right)
