KEENE, NH – A second public meeting regarding the City of Keene’s Downtown Improvement project is set for this Tuesday evening.

Upwards of 250 people attended the last meeting on January 30th at Heberton Hall. That meeting was an open-house style format that allowed those in attendance to learn more about various aspects of the project.

Tuesday’s meeting is more of a traditional public hearing, that will feature a brief presentation by Stantec, the consultant on the project, followed by a period for questions, comments, and concerns from the community.

The project has been a point of contention in the community. City officials have reiterated that the infrastructure under the road needs to be replaced, so no matter what the road will be dug up. Emotions surrounding the project are running high over the redesign portion of Central Square, with many business owners and community members concerned about, among other things, the historical relevance of the square, parking, and accessibility.

50 Downtown business owners wrote a letter to the city of Keene last week, urging the delay of the project until 2026 to allow businesses that are still recuperating from the COVID-19 pandemic to get back on their feet.

After Tuesday’s meeting the matter will go onto the Keene City Council’s agenda who will decide how to handle it from there, whether they discuss it as a group or send it to a committee. A final decision on the project is expected in mid-March.

Tuesday’s meeting will begin at 6 pm and conclude by 9 pm at Keene High School. It will be livestreamed on the City’s website and YouTube page, as well as Spectrum channel 1302.