NASHUA, NH – As part of Nashua’s re-CODE Project, a meeting was held Tuesday morning at the Hunt Memorial Library for community builders and leaders to meet and discuss their visions for the future of Amherst Street – between Broad and Main streets – one of the two main visioning areas.
Around 15 people attended the meeting, including Bobbie Bagley, the director of Public Health and Community Services, Ward 3 Alderman Patricia Klee and Ward 8 Alderman Derek Thibeault. Many expressed their hope for Amherst Street to become safer and more conducive for walking and biking.
“This … is not a walkable community,” said Bagley.
Another said they avoid riding their bike on Amherst and Main streets because they don’t feel safe, noting the limited space and absence of bike paths.
“This is a take-your-life-in-your-hands [situation],” said Alderman Klee. “People have been hit [or] almost hit … around Holman [Stadium] and the school … . This road is just very scary.”
Sidewalks, bike lanes and ways to reduce the speed of vehicles were discussed as potential ways to improve safety on Amherst Street.
“I want to see wider sidewalks,” said Alderman Klee. “I want to see bike paths.”
Alderman Thibeault expressed similar thoughts, expressing the need for bigger, wider and overall better sidewalks.
Some expressed the need to prioritize safety and neighborhoods over vehicles and transportation.
Bagley said the Amherst Street community should be optimized so that everyone who lives there feels like they belong.
“What I see right now is a community built for cars,” she said. “It’s not built for people.”
Nashua re-CODE is a citywide initiative to redefine its land use policies and zoning ordinances. This week, activities are being held for residents and community leaders to give their input and share their vision for Nashua’s future.
