Nashua Downtown Master Plan
locations when it is needed. Determina-
tion of need should consider issues such
as the deleterious effect of excess park-
ing, the potential impacts on surrounding
properties, and the need to create a dense
unique urban environment for Down-
town.
UREAN
DESIGN ASSOCIATES
Nashua Downtown Master Plan
The proposed buildings would have Hilustrative Plan ofa 58
retail businesses at street level with redeveloped Efollis and
offices above. The offices could be used Main Street
by the hospital, or physicians offices, or ntersection
other businesses seeking office space in
the heart of Downtown.
At the easternmost part of the block,
URBAN DESIGN ASSOCIATES
site. When market forces dictate redevel-
opment of the site, the City should part-
ner with Citizen's bank to create a legacy
project.
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
