Board Of Aldermen

URBAN DESIGN ASSOCIATES

Nashua Downtown Master Plan

III Retail and Entertainment RETAIL DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL IN DOWNTOWN NASHUA is 30

Strategies

specialized and limited. Growth will depend largely upon
growth in other sectors, such as housing and entertainment.
Adding entertainment uses, recreational uses, regional attrac-
tions, educational uses, and other “off-hour” uses, will help sus-
tain the existing retail demand and create critical mass for
more retail opportunities.

Nashua Downtown Master Plan

First, there is an immediate demand
for affordable housing. Downtown
Nashua is the historic center of a fast-
growing and affluent sub-region (con-
sisting of Amherst, Brookline, Hollis,
Hudson, Litchfield, etc.) With its plenti-
ful supply of smaller and older homes,
Downtown Nashua has experienced sig-
nificant growth in the low and moderate
income populations.

UR EAN DESIGN assocrates Nashua Downtown Master Plan

1 Residential Strategies

Bronstein
Apartments

The revitalization of
this public housing area
located near the heart
of Downtown into a
mixed-income
community is a great
great opportunity for
urban residential

development.

UR EAN DESIGN assocrates Nashua Downtown Master Plan

I Econo mic Development GREAT DOWNTOWNS ARE Diverse. They center a region by 27
Strategies serving a substantial list of needs for a variety of residents.
With a stable and established Main Street North, Downtown
Nashua must now diversify and expand its economic base by
increasing investor confidence and by serving the needs of a
broader cross-section of City residents.

es Nashua Downtown Master Plan

Market Strategies

URBAN DESIGN ASSOCIATES

ui Urban Design Principles

Nashua Downtown Master Plan

THE UDA TEAM, in conjunction with city staff, developed sev- 25

eral urban design principles prior to the design charrette. These

principles acted as a compass for the direction of the Master

Plan development. Design exploration at the charrette was

pursued under the guidance of the following principles:

1
2

MO um Ff

9

Preserve and celebrate the history of Nashua.
Reconnect Downtown to the surrounding neighborhoods.

The Master Plan
establishes strategic
locations in Downtown
Nashua where design
efforts will lead to
Surther cultural and

economic development.

Nashua Downtown Master Plan

A central park or gathering place
A major riverfront park

Diversity of uses Downtown - edu-
cational, arts, performance and cul-

tural

Further diversify Main Street with

housing above retail buildings
A coordinated parking strategy

Continued support for local busi-

nesses versus national franchises

UREAN

Strength: The
Nashua Public
Library

Nashua’ Library is an
excellent resource;
however, it suffers from
poor visibility and

access.

DESIGN ASSOCIATES

Strengths (continued)

Amenities

* Riverfront park investments

+ Library is a well-organized resource
center for the City

* Multitude of churches and institu-
tions

+ Transit center

* Rail trail and other developing trail

connections

+ Low taxes
Weaknesses

Nashua Downtown Master Plan

At each focus group meeting, inter-
view and public meeting, participants
were asked the same three questions:

1 What are the strengths of Down-

town Nashua?

2 What are the weaknesses of Down-

town Nashua?

3 What is your vision for the future?

The Downtown assets considered
strongest and cited most frequently
related to its character character and its
sense of place created by the pedestrian-
friendly environment on Main Street
North.

UR EAN DESIGN assocrates Nashua Downtown Master Plan

11 Summary of Interviews

and Focus Groups

THROUGHOUT THE FALL OF 2002, the UDA team conducted ar

interviews and focus group meetings. Focus groups included:

City Planning Staff
Nashua Historical Society
Nashua Police Department
Nashua Fire Rescue

Aldermanic Planning & Economic Development

Committee

Nashua Regional Planning Commission
Nashua Public Works Division