Telegraph photo by ADAM URQUHART Nashua Economic Development Director Tim Cummings and City Waterways Manager Deb Chisholm on Thursday review some graphics relative to the Downtown Nashua Riverfront Master Plan.

NASHUA – In the coming weeks, brush removal work will continue along the Nashua River in downtown as part of the ongoing progress toward completion of the $15 million Downtown Nashua Riverfront Master Plan.

Board of Aldermen members initially approved the plan in October 2017. Economic Development Director Tim Cummings said during the winter of 2018, city leaders declared a tax increment financing (TIF) district.

TIF is a tool that allows a government to capture the money from an increase in property value before the value actually increases. For example, if adding a new roof to a building will increase its value by $250,000, TIF allows the government to take the $250,000 to pay for the new roof.

During the last two years, Nashua Waterways Manager Deb Chisholm joined the city’s ranks to engage stakeholders. Engagement has occurred with various abutters around the waterfront during the planning process. Officials also hired engineering firm, VHB, to be the lead project manager for the implementation of the plan.

Looking out from the Main Street Bridge, people may have noticed the riverbank is free from overgrown brush, allowing for better accessibility to the water. This work occurred as city officials began doing some improved maintenance, landscaping and vegetation control. While this landscaping work continues, Chisholm believes from a waterways standpoint, the river is a hidden gem that is now, well, less hidden.

“Continued maintenance is really what’s key because that vegetation grows very quickly,” Chisholm said.

A lot of this work is being done in preparation for the implementation of various projects included within this master plan. The invasive species removal is expected to continue this spring.

“My understanding is that is going to be an ongoing process for the next couple of years,” Cummings said. “Spring and fall for the next few years, there will be spraying.”

From there, work will continue with hydroseeding, grading and stump clearing throughout the spring and summer.

Cummings also had a meeting with Mayor Jim Donchess on Thursday, during which they discussed introducing programming along the river’s edge this year.

This could include doing a yoga class, swing dance class and Latin dance class in the early evenings. Officials are considering hosting these dance classes in Renaissance Park in the spring. Officials are not yet sure when and where the yoga class would be, but it would be a class on some green space during the warm weather months.

Officials want to continue the existing riverwalk in the area of Cotton Mill over to Mine Falls Park by the Broad Street Parkway and Pine Street Extension, and do so by complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act, connecting the park to the river. Cummings said VHB officials are evaluating the matter.

Improvements are also set to occur by building out the riverwalk along the river’s edge behind BAE Systems in the area of Canal Street to try to create one continuous loop. Sections of that loop around Main Street will include cantilever bridges, similar to what is currently seen on the side of The Peddler’s Daughter. Officials will look to implement those at other buildings around the Main Street area. Additionally, access will also be improved to the water with a dock and space for kayaks.

“Ideally, we will design it this year and really start construction for spring of next year,” Cummings said. “That’s the goal.”

While the goal is to really try to get under construction by spring 2021, the construction phase timeline is still to be determined. The work done this spring into summer will prepare for that construction the next year while officials continuously work on the design. Cummings said this will not be completely designed until mid-fall, and it will then go out to bid in late fall, early winter.

Cummings said Nashua Director of Community Development Sarah Marchant has been really working hard to get lighting designed as part of this project to improve the lighting in this area. The installation of fountains is another success as part of this project. Cummings has been involved in making sure the landscaping has been increased.

“These are all little wins as we start to activate this waterfront, and really hope to change the culture of the city to look at their downtown river in a different way,” Cummings said.

“We’re thinking it will be approximately, and this is still early, but around $15 million,” Cummings added regarding the projected work cost.

More information on these plans may be found on the city’s website at, https://www.nashuanh.gov/1140/Nashua-Riverfront-Development-Plan.

Adam Urquhart may be contacted at 594-1206, or at aurquhart@nashuatelegraph.com.