KEENE, N.H. – (MyKeeneNow) The full Keene City Council will convene for a final vote at tonight’s meeting on plans for the Keene Downtown Infrastructure Improvement and Reconstruction project.

The project aims to replace underground water, sewer, and stormwater utilities, some of which date back to the late 1800s.

While the necessity of these replacements is widely agreed upon, discussions have centered on potential changes to the city’s layout.

The Downtown Infrastructure Improvement and Reconstruction Project includes a comprehensive public planning process that engages residents, property owners, business owners, workers and visitors. The project team has worked closely with the local chamber of commerce, the Keene Downtown Business Association, the Keene Bicycle/Pedestrian/Path Advisory Committee, members of the Keene Energy and Climate Committee and the Keene Rotary Club.

The Mayor’s Ad-Hoc Downtown Infrastructure Project Steering Committee began meeting in April of 2022. Since then, several informational meetings and public workshops were held for the community to learn more details on project alternatives, estimated costs and founding sources. The City Council referred the project to the Municipal Services, Facilities and Infrastructure (MSFI) Committee for their review and recommendation.

Key design elements recommended for approval include an updated traffic signal pattern at the square, a 22-foot-wide single lane across the top of the square, and retaining the U-turn on Main Street for southbound traffic.

If approved, work on refining the final design is expected to commence in early September and continue through the fall and winter, aiming for the project to be ready for bidding in Spring 2025.

The work will be spread across three phases, beginning with Central Square. Construction will then work its way south to Gilbo Avenue and Railroad Square for the second phase, before finishing with the stretch of Main Street between Gilbo Avenue and Water Street. Future project phases will focus on how downtown businesses will operate during construction.

More details about the design can be found on the project’s website. 

Tonight’s meeting at City Hall is at 7 p.m.