NASHUA, NH – The Planning and Economic Development Committee on Tuesday voted 4-1 to pass a motion requesting proposals relative to the sale of the Elm Street Middle School property with additional amendments, prioritizing affordable units and preservation of the Keefe Auditorium.
Those who voted in favor of the final passage of the motion were Alderman-At-Large Melbourne Moran, Alderman-At-Large Ben Clemons, Ward 5 Alderman Ernest Jette and Ward 8 Alderman Derek Thibeault. Opposed was Ward 1 Alderman Tyler Gouveia.
Elm Street Middle School will close and the property will be turned over to the city of Nashua at the end of the current school year this June. Students will attend the new Brian S. McCarthy Middle School as part of the Middle School Project.
Director of Administrative Services Tim Cummings said a study was done with consultants to determine how best to use the property and that extensive community engagement was done to get public input.
“What was arrived at was essentially a plan that called for housing on the site at what we refer to as mid-rise level,” he said. “Ultimately we don’t know what we will get on the site.”
Clemons made a motion to amend the motion to “resolve that any proposal shall include a portion of units for residents that have federally funded housing vouchers,” which passed unanimously.
A second amendment by Clemons, making it so any RFP accepted should keep the Keefe Auditorium in its plan, sparked extensive discussion.
“I believe … that we have an asset here in Nashua and that is the Keefe Auditorium,” he said, adding that he believed many proposals would want to demolish the auditorium. Adding his amendment would signal to developers that aldermen would like to keep the Keefe intact as part of any future project.
In attendance was Ward 3 Alderman Patricia Klee who was in support of the amendment.
“I think it’s something we need to hold on to. We [would] lose so much history here,” she said.
Cummings commented that if it is decided to keep the auditorium, the city will have to spend about $10 million to “mothball” the auditorium, which means maintenance of basic services like water, electricity, HVAC and fire equipment.
Considering costs – about $30 million would also be needed for renovations to the auditorium – Alderman Gouveia said he could not get on board with the amendment.
Aldermen Jette felt that adding this amendment would limit the proposals they would receive and take potential options off the table without proposals.
Community Development Division Director Matt Sullivan expressed concern about balancing all the desires discussed for the property, including adequate green space, mid-rise housing, the affordability level and the improvements to the auditorium.
After discussion, Clemons amended his amendment to express that the city’s goal is to develop a plan that prioritizes and mitigates the Keefe Auditorium.
This amendment passed 4-1, with Moran, Clemons, Jette and Thibeault in favor, and Gouveia opposed.
Review the meeting via Nashua Public TV here.
