NASHUA, NH – The personnel/administrative affairs committee on Monday recommended to the full Board of Aldermen (BOA) the appointment of Ward 7 resident and state representative Alicia Gregg as the first member of the Keefe Auditorium Commission.
After the city issued a Request for Proposals for the redevelopment of the Elm Street Middle School (EMS) Property – which maintained that the Keefe Auditorium must be preserved – the city’s Auditorium Commission was reconstituted and renamed the Keefe Auditorium Commission August 2024.
In addition to the other responsibilities of the committee, the ordinance amending the commission added that, “The Commission shall be responsible for developing a plan to upkeep and renovate the Auditorium such that it could stand alone. This shall include developing a design, capital captain, and funding recommendations.”
Prior to Gregg’s nomination, Mayor Jim Donchess had explained to the aldermen that once the change of use occurs for the Elm Street Middle School building, the Keefe Auditorium must be brought up to code compliance, per the city’s fire and building codes.
This would include the installation of a new heating system, sprinkler system, and new bathrooms, which would cost an estimated $25 million. Donchess suggested putting the question of whether to go through with the renovations to keep the Keefe Auditorium, or to raze it, on the 2025 election ballot.
A resolution that would place the question on the ballot was before the committee on Monday night, though Donchess said he didn’t expect the committee to take action on it at that time.
Alderman Tom Lopez asked Gregg if she was ready to hit the ground running to take on this challenge concerning the future of the Keefe Auditorium, to which she responded that she is never scared of a challenge, and that it is worth the effort.
“I see so much potential for Nashua and part of that is the arts, and part of that is also this unique thing that we have throughout New Hampshire, but especially in Nashua, where we have a really strong tie to our traditions to these historic buildings, but also the desire to move it forward and what that marriage looks like of the two different things,” Gregg said. “I’m excited. I think the Keefe is an integral part of that.”
In response to the task of developing a capital campaign and funding recommendations, Gregg said that there could be an opportunity for the city to partner with community performance groups.
Being the largest auditorium in the state, she felt that the Keefe is an opportunity for investment from outside groups.
As an active citizen in the community with a passion for and experience in theater production, the committee recommended the BOA appoint Gregg to the commission.
“It’s even tougher that you’re under the gun and you’re the first person being nominated, but I think you’re the perfect person to be nominated first,” Alderman-at-large Ben Clemons said.
The committee felt that taking action on R-25-158 to put the question of whether to go through with renovations to keep the Keefe was premature, some feeling that just now appointing members to the Keefe Auditorium Commission is being done at the eleventh hour.
Pennrose and Lansing Melbourne Group – the top two developers for the EMS property – have yet to present their redevelopment plans to the BOA.
“Its important that when you present something to the voters that you present something that’s an accurate figure,” Clemons said. “It’s important that you have put in your due diligence and effort as well and I don’t think that we have done that.”
The committee voted to table the resolution.